I've recently purchased a 25+, and am deep into re-rigging, and customizing to my needs. I've been speaking with a sailmaker about a new jib, and while we were talking about sail inventory, and my specific needs, and desires, he brought up the idea of having an asymmetrical spinnaker with a snuffer. Which is pretty intriguing. I'm wondering if there are any Ericson owners out there who can give me any advice about running with an asym on one of these boats?
Sailing with an Asymmetrical Spinnaker
- Thread starter Acorn
- Start date
ConchyDug
Member III
They are great, I wouldn't hesitate to get another. Snuffers aren't needed you can letterbox(need a loose footed mainsail though)it on the douse. IMHO snuffers just add extra complexity and clutter. An adjustable tackline is nice as it can power up and depower the kite for different angles. I wouldn't mess with a sym kite ever again just too much infrastructure added to the boat.
I was thinking the same thing.
It was far from ideal, but this is what we did
We secured a block to a hole in the stem fitting and ran the tack line back to a cleat. I think the sail was meant to be clipped to the forestry, but a furler was added after the spinnaker was made. ATN makes a device called the "Tacker" that fits around a furled sail. If we still owned the boat, we probably would have gone that route.
Bolo
Contributing Partner
I agree. Although I loved using my a-sail the snuffer was a real pain in the butt sometimes especially when it got jammed up. A few times I had to bring the sail down withe the snuffer still at the top. Sold my a-sail years ago but looking to get another downwind sail for the boat possibly on a removable furler but it won't work on my E-32-3 without a bow sprit and that's a whole other can of worms.
Thanks for posting this.
ConchyDug
Member III
Taking the tackline to a cleat works but limits control of the kite. It will also put you in a bind if the wind pipes up. Attached photos of the tack ring on the anchor roller bail(1st picture), the tackline runs back to a clutch on the starboard outboard track(2nd picture). Having the tack out in front of the forestay helps with projection and reduces chafe. Also here is tutorial on a letterbox douse.
