This introductory lesson is designed to help familiarize you with basic aspects of sailing.

Nomenclature

Basic Sailboat Terms

Rudder: A spade-like object at the back of the boat that steers the boat by deflection of the water.

Tiller: The lever that controls the rudder. Winches: A mechanical device used to increase pulling power on a line. (purchase) Fairleads: Eyes or blocks that guide lines in a desired direction. sually they are used for jibsheets. oosenec!: The fitting that connects the boom to the mast. !t works like a swivel allowing the boom to move up and down and swing from side to side. "eel: The weighted fin at the bottom of the boat that keeps the boat from slipping sideways through the water. Bow: "ront end of the boat. Stanchions:#ertical posts that hold lifelines in place. #ulpit: $afety rail at the bow of the boat. Stern: %ack end of the boat. #ort: The left side of the boat when facing forward. Starboard: The right side of the boat when facing forward. Basic Standing Rigging $ast: The large vertical spar that supports the sail and boom. Boom: The hori&ontal spar used to hold and e'tend the foot of the main sail. Forestay: The wire (cable) that supports the mast from the bow and prevents the top of the mast from moving aft. Bac!stay: The wire that supports the mast from the stern and prevents the top of it from moving forward. Shrouds: The wires that support the mast from the sides and prevent it from moving athwartships. (sideways) Turnbuc!le: (evice for adjusting tension on shrouds and stays. %hainplate: "itting that connects shrouds to hull. Tang: "itting that connects shrouds to mast. Basic Running Rigging &alyards: )ines or wire rope used to hoist the sails. Sheets: )ines used to control the sails. Trimming is tightening the sheet to move the sail towards the centerline of the boat and easing is letting it out. 'uthaul: )ine used to tighten or tension the foot or bottom edge) of the sail. (ownhaul: )ine used to tighten or tension the luff (forward edge) of the sail. Boom )ang: )ine used to pull the boom down. !t prevents the boom from lifting which causes the top part of the sail to twist. Topping *ift: *olds the end of the boom up and prevents it from falling into the cockpit when the main sail is lowered.

Basic Sail Terms

T+R$S ,##*-.N T' B'T& $,.N ,N( /.B S,.*S &ead:Top corner. (+here halyard connects to sail) Tac!: %ottom forward corner. %lew: %ottom back corner. *uff: "orward edge. Foot: %ottom edge. *eech: %ackedge. %ringle: ,etal reinforcement ring. T+R$S T&,T 0S0,**- ,##*- T' $,.N S,.*S Battens: +ood or plastic strips that act as stiffeners for the sail. They help keep the leech from fluttering. Batten #oc!ets: -ockets sewn into the trailing edge of the sail to hold the battens. Roach: The unmeasured $ail area along the back edge of the $ail. %unningham: The cringle (grommet) on the luff of the sail used to achieve luff tension for draft control. (sail shaping) Reef #oints: The row of points where the reef ties (gaskets) are attached to the sail.

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S,.*.N T+R$S 0N(+RW,-1 Refer to abo2e Sailing 3uadrant The following si4 terms are points of sail: %lose &auled: $ailing as close to the wind as possible. (pointing) %lose Reach: $ailing between close hauled and beam reach. Beam Reach: $ailing so that the wind is on the beam. (./ degrees) Broad Reach: $ailing so that the wind is behind the beam. Running: $ailing so that the wind is directly astern. The jib and main sails will be on opposite sides. (wing and wing) By the *ee: $ailing so that the wind is on the same side as where the main is carried. +hen running0 this could happen if there is a wind shift to the side of the boat where the main is. $ailing by the lee is discouraged because it could result in an accidental 1ybe. Tac!ing: Turning the bow of the boat through the eye of the wind. ybing: Turning the stern of the boat through the eye of the wind. *uffing: The fluttering of a $ail when a boat is pointed too close to the wind or the sail is eased out too far. .n .rons: The condition when the boat is pointed directly into the wind without steerageway. Windward: The direction from which the wind is coming. Starboard Tac!: +hen the starboard side of the boat is windward. #ort Tac!: +hen the port side of the boat is windward. *eeward: The direction to which the wind is going. &ead 0p: Turning the bow of the boat towards the eye of the wind.

Bearing ,way: Turning the bow of the boat away from the eye of the wind0 also referred to as bearing off or falling off &elms1,1*ee: 2otification that the tiller has been put to leeward to cause the boat to come about. (tacking) ,((.T.'N,* S,.*.N T+R$S Trim: To pull in... as in trim a sheet. (line) +ase: To let out... as in ease a sheet. (line) '2ertrim: A condition where the sail is trimmed in too tightly for the wind direction. 0ndertrim: A condition where the sail is trimmed too loosely for the wind direction. The $ail will luff if undertrimmed more than a slight amount. Beat: $ailing to windward by means of a $eries of tacks. Reefing: 3educing the area of a sail due to strong wind. True Wind: The wind speed and direction as seen by a stationary observer. ,pparent Wind: The wind speed and direction as seen by an observer who is moving across the water. Weather &elm: The tendency of a sailboat to head into the wind if the helm is released. (letting go of the tiller) *ee &elm: The tendency of a sailboat to head away from the wind if the helm is released. &eader: 4hange in wind direction towards the bow of the boat. *ift: 4hange in wind direction towards the stern of the boat. A header for a boat on port tack is a lift for a boat on starboard tack. Beam: The widest section of a boat0 generaily across the middle. ,beam: The direction to either side of the boat. (./ degrees from the bow) 0nderway: +hen the boat is neither at anchor0 made fast or aground. No Way: +hen the boat is stopped.

We assume no liablity for information contained herein. 56778 Spinna!er Sailing 1 (o not reproduce.

Spinna!er
From Wi!ipedia9 the free encyclopedia
5ump to6 navigation0 search "or other uses0 see $pinnaker (disambiguation).

%ear of %ritain0 a "arr 78 with masthead spinnaker in front of 4alshot $pit A spinna!er is a special type of sail that is designed specifically for sailing off the wind from a reaching course to a downwind0 i.e. with the wind ./9:;</9 off the bow. The spinnaker fills with wind and balloons out in front of the boat when it is deployed0 called flying. !t is constructed of very lightweight0 usually nylon0 fabric0 and is often brightly colored. !t may be optimised for a particular range of wind angles0 as either a reaching or a running spinnaker0 by the shaping of the panels and seams. The spinnaker is often called a kite0 or a chute (as in cruising chute) because it somewhat resembles a parachute in both construction and appearance. This should not be confused with the spinnaker chute which is a hull fitting sometimes used for launching and recovering the spinnaker. A spinnaker is a type of airfoil and will generate lift0 if it is flown at a reaching angle. $ince the lift and drag generated by the spinnaker both act to move the boat forward0 the lift to drag ratio is unimportant=citation needed>. The goal then is to generate the ma'imum amount of lift possible with no consideration of drag=citation needed>. %ecause of this0 running spinnakers have e'treme amounts of camber0 making them nearly hemispherical in form. The large camber ma'imi&es the drag. 3eaching spinnakers have less camber as they operate partially with an airflow that generates lift. A well designed spinnaker will have taut leading edges when filled? leading edges that curl in will both reduce the lift and risk a collapse of the spinnaker. A well designed spinnaker will also have a smooth curve when filled0 with no bubbles or depressions caused by inconsistent stretching of the sail fabric. Any deviations from a smooth curve will cause the airflow over the leeward side of the sail to separate0 in a reaching spinnaker0 causing a reduction in lift and reduced performance.

+hen running downwind in heavy weather or when hit by a gust0 with or without a spinnaker0 there may be a tendency for a roll of increasing amplitude to build up0 known as the death roll. !t has been shown that this is due to aerodynamic instability of bermuda rigs when running0 which can be aggravated by gusts0 waves0 mainsail twist0 daggerboard etc too far down0 hull form0 and the sailing e@uivalent of pilot-induced oscillation. E'cessive heel leads to loss of rudder effectiveness resulting the boat slewing round uncontrollably in the direction opposite to the direction of heel. This is known as broaching. Aerodynamic instability when running can be countered by easing the pole forward slightly and over-sheeting the spinnaker somewhat to stop it swinging from side to side0 by reducing mainsail twist using the boom vang0 and by skilfully trimming the mainsheet. )uffing carefully onto a broad reach may help to retain control0 as can moving everyoneAs weight as far aft as possible. 3educing sail should be considered.

:edit; Types of spinna!ers

There are two main categories of spinnakers0 symmetric and asymmetric depending on whether a plane of symmetry e'ists for that particular sail. Asymmetric spinnakers operate more like a jib0 generating lift from the side0 rather than the top like a symmetric spinnaker. This makes asymmetrics a better choice on reaching courses than symmetric spinnakers0 which e'cel when running. +hile a fully e@uipped racing boat might have a number of spinnakers0 both symmetric and asymmetric0 to cover all courses and wind conditions0 cruising boats almost always use an asymmetric0 due to the broader application and easier handling afforded by the asymmetric.

:edit; Symmetric Spinna!ers

B8/ class dinghies with symmetric spinnakers. The symmetric one is the most classic type0 running symmetrical alongside the boat controlled by lines known as a sheet and a guy running from the lower two corners of the sail. The windward line0 or guy0 is attached to the corner called the tack of the sail0 and is stabili&ed by a spinnaker pole. The leeward (downwind) line is called the sheet. !t attaches to the clew of the spinnaker and is used to control the shape of the sail. The spinnaker pole must be moved in each jibe0 and is @uite difficult for beginners to use. *owever0 it can be sailed in all downwind wind directions.

$ymmetric spinnakers when sailing across the wind (reaching) develop most of their lift on the forward @uarter0 where the airflow remains attached. +hen correctly set for reaching0 the leading edges of a symmetric spinnaker should be nearly parallel to the wind0 so the flow of air over the leading edge remains attached. +hen reaching0 the sail camber allows only some attached flow over the leeward side of the spinnaker. Cn running the spinnaker is angled for ma'imum drag0 with the spinnaker pole at right angles to the apparent wind. The symmetric spinnaker also re@uires care when packing0 since the three corners must be available on the top of the packing.

:edit; ,symmetric Spinna!ers

3$ DE keelboat with an asymmetric spinnaker on a retracting bowsprit. The asymmetrical spinnaker is a more recent approach to the spinnaker. !ts modern-day origins may lie with the $ydney *arbour ;<ft $kiffs and date from at least the late ;.</s. The tack of the sail may be attached at the bow like a genoa but is fre@uently mounted on a bowsprit0 often a retracting one. !f the spinnaker is mounted to a special bowsprit0 it is often possible to fly the spinnaker and the jib at the same time? if not0 then the spinnaker will be shadowed by the jib0 and the jib should be furled when the spinnaker is in use. The asymmetric has two sheets0 very much like a jib0 but is not attached to the forestay along the length of the luff0 but only at the corners. nlike a spinnaker0 the asymmetric does not re@uire a spinnaker pole0 since it is fi'ed to the bow or bowsprit. The asymmetric is very easy to jibe since it only re@uires releasing one sheet and pulling in the other one0 passing the sail in front of the forestay. Asymmetrics are less suited to sailing directly downwind than spinnakers0 and so instead the boat will often sail a &ig&ag course downwind0 gybing at the corners. An asymmetric spinnaker is particularly effective on fast planing dinghies as their speed generates an apparent wind on the bow allowing them to sail more directly downwind. !t is also particularly useful in cruising yachts in the form of a cruising spinnaker or cruising chute0 where the ease of handling is important and it is less likely to be used with a bowsprit. #arious types of asymmetrics e'ist0 and a common nomenclature classifies them by code from / to E. 4odes ;0 F0 and 7 are reaching sails0 and codes 80 B0 and E are running sails? the code / is a hybrid of genoa and spinnaker0 designed to work like a genoa but classified under racing rules as a spinnaker.

%ode 7 The code / asymmetric is a tight reaching sail0 the most upwind capable of the asymmetrics. The luff is as straight as possible0 and the sail is flatter than

other spinnakers. (ue to the flatness of the code /0 it is usually made with a wire luff for strength0 and of a heavier0 less stretchy fabric than normal for a spinnaker. (ue to the tight luff and flat cut0 the code / can be fitted for roller furling. %ode < The code ; is a light air reaching sail0 where the apparent wind angles at low speeds has a significant effect to create angles of less than ./ degrees. %ode 6 The code 8 is a medium air running sail0 used for apparent wind angles over ./ degrees. %ode 8 The code F is a medium air reaching sail0 used for apparent wind angles near ./ degrees. %ode = The code B is a heavy air running sail0 used in the heaviest winds normally e'pected. %ode > The code 7 is a heavy air reaching sail0 used in the heaviest winds normally e'pected. %ode ? The code E is a storm sail0 for running in storm conditions.

$pinnakers for cruising boats are starting to be patterned after the roller furling code / racing spinnakers0 as they provide the easiest handling. 2orth $ails0 for e'ample0 offers three genna!er sails0 based on the racing code / asymmetrics0 with different si&es and cambers for varying angles and wind speeds. Cther manufacturers offer similar cruising code / designs under different names0 such as the screecher and reacher for upwind and downwind use respectively.

:edit; Flying the spinna!er

$ince they are only used on certain points of sail0 raising and lowering the spinnaker is a task that is often performed while under sail. (ue to the si&e of spinnakers (the spinnaker is often double or more the si&e of the mainsail) this can be a difficult operation0 since the sail will immediately catch the wind.

:edit; Rigging the symmetric spinna!er

Typically the symmetric spinnaker is packed in its own bag0 called a turtle0 with the three corners on top for ready access. The clews (lower corners) are controlled by lines called sheets0 which lead from the clews back to the stern of the boat0 and serve to control the sail position. $ymmetric spinnakers have the windward clew secured to a spinnaker pole which is attached to the mast and holds the windward edge of the sail in position. )ines that control the spinnaker pole are called guys. !n small boats0 a single line may serve as a combination sheetGguy. The head (top corner) is attached to the spinnaker halyard0 which is used to raise the sail up the mast. The spinnaker pole may be allowed to raise and lower with the force of the wind0 or it may have lines attached to it to raise (the topping lift) and lower (the foreguy) the angle of the pole. !f these lines are used0 they are generally set up before setting sail0 and left in place even when the spinnaker is stowed.

$ince symmetrics are downwind sails0 they are never tacked0 they are only jibed. +hen jibing a symmetric0 the pole is moved to the bow0 where the sail is detached0 and the opposite corner attached. This corner now becomes the windward corner. The guys are adjusted as before to set the sail angle on the new course. To retrieve the spinnaker0 the windward corner is detached from the spinnaker pole0 and the guy is released. This allows the spinnaker to collapse into the shadow of the mainsail0 where the foot is gathered by a crewmember. The halyard is then lowered0 and a crewmember gathers the sail and stuffs it carefully into the turtle0 corners out0 and ready for the ne't deployment.

:edit; Rigging the asymmetric spinna!er

)ike the symmetric0 the asymmetric is often stored in a turtle0 with the corners on top for easy access. nlike the symmetric0 asymmetrics have the tack attached to the bow or a bowsprit (often retractable)0 and have two guys attached to the clew. The head of the sail is attached to the spinnaker halyard0 which is used to raise the sail. The guys are passed to either side of the forestay0 one to each corner? they may be passed outside the tack of the asymmetric0 or between the tack and the forestay. The guy on the downwind side of the hull is used to set the angle0 and the opposite guy is left slack. Cften a tack line is used at leading edge to provide adjustable tension on the luff of the spinnaker. To keep the tack near the centerline of the boat0 it may be attached to the forestay with a sliding collar (often riding over the furled jib on parrel beads or similar device). This allows the tack to slide up and down the forestay to adjust the luff tension.=;> Cn racing boats0 the tack of the asymmetric is often rigged to a retractable bowsprit0 which increases the foretriangle area and prevents interference with the jib. As this trend becomes more popular in racing boats0 it may result in similar adaptations to cruising boats as well.=8> 5ibing with the asymmetric is much less comple' than the symmetric0 due to the lack of the spinnaker pole. ,uch like a jib0 all that is re@uired is to change guys--however0 since the asymmetric still flies in front of the forestay0 the operation is reversed. The sheet is slackened0 and the opposite guy is pulled in0 which allows the sail to pass around in front of the forestay0 and then be sheeted in on the new lee side of the boat. 3etrieving the asymmetric is similar to the process for the symmetric. The guys are released0 allowing the sail to collapse to the front of the boat. The foot of the sail is then gathered0 and the halyard released and the head of the sail lowered0 where it is packed into the turtle.

:edit; (ousing soc!s

The dousing sock0 Hspinnaker sleeveH0 snuffer0 or just sock0 is a device used to make deploying and retrieving the spinnaker a much easier task. The sock is a long fabric tube with a ring in one end to hold it open. $ince the spinnaker is stored in the sock0 the first step is to set up the sock. Two lines are attached to the sock? one is attached to a bridle on the ring0 for pulling the sock down0 and one is up the inside0 from the ring0 through the

top0 and back down0 for raising the sock? these lines may be two ends of the same line0 to form a loop. The head of the spinnaker is attached the top of the sock and the ring runs down to the tack. The resulting bundle is stuffed into the spinnaker bag. The top of the sock will have provisions for attaching to the spinnaker halyard. The spinnaker is raised as normal0 but with the sock in place the spinnaker is unable to catch the wind. Cnce the spinnaker is raised and the guys are ready to set0 the sock is raised0 releasing the spinnaker. The sock remains bundled up at the head of the sail while the spinnaker is deployed. To retrieve the spinnaker0 the sheet or the tack is released and the sock is pulled down0 gathering the sail. The halyard is then dropped and the sail may be packed away.

:edit; Spinna!er chute

A spinna!er chute is usually a tube or aperture in the deck close to the forestay0 for the launching and recovery of the spinna!er. They are most commonly found on modern dinghy designs0 and updated older classes. To allow recovery of the spinnaker into the chute0 one or more reco2ery patches are fitted to the spinnaker0 to which the tail of the spinnaker halyard is attached or passed through. The spinnaker and its halyard thus form a continuous loop0 passing through the chute. !f the spinnaker chute penetrates the hull and is re@uired to be watertight0 it takes the form of a hard tube sealed to the hull at both ends. !f a watertight arrangement is not re@uired0 a cloth tube may be used to contain the lowered spinnaker.

:edit; +tymology of the Word

The first boat to fly a spinnaker was called the H$phin'H. The friends of $phin'As owner jokingly referred to the sail as H$phin'As half-acreH. !t was later to be abbreviated as $-!22ADE3.=citation needed>