Spinnakers

A running spinnaker is shaped similar to a traditional symmetrical spinnaker, but with a variation in luff and leach, more depth throughout the sail, and controllable shoulders designed to roll to windward of the forestay, projecting area away from the mainsail.

A VMG kite is flatter, has a shorter luff, and a tighter leach for sailing at closer angles and sheeting in closer. Consequently you will need a more stable material than for a running spinnaker. A well designed VMG spinnaker for a multihull can do all jobs well.

A multi purpose spinnaker or MPS can be set off the bow, or on a strop at the bow. This sail can combine the best properties of the above sails, with the emphasis on easy handling properly designed to suit your boat

Handling

If you sail short-handed you might be interested in our own spinnaker sock the, ATN, or a Kite Tamer furling spinnaker system.

Material

For an all purpose sail we recommend 1,5 oz Nylon even for smaller boats (over 26'). it is considerably than 3/4 oz and less expensive and will make a very durable and long lasting sail.

If your sail is intended for light air use there are Nylon as light as 0,4 oz which can be used for fairly large boats given that the crew gives attention to increases in the wind

Handling

Roller furlers

A sail with a narrow mid girth (60-65 %) can easily be set on a roller furler. Quick handling during course racing is one of the reasons for the European trend towards these sails.

It is possible to roll a 75% sail if you make it out of Nylon and tighten it with the halyard before furling. The downside is that you loose some area  since the sail has to be made  5% shorter to be able to tighten the sail enough before furling.

Reaching sails that furl easily can be a cruising option, and can be used with no other sails up in some conditions. They are also great speed sails to increase area while sailing close to wind, for apparent wind sailing.

Kite catchers

Sails with mid girths from 70% to 100 % of the foot can be handled comfortably with a kite catcher (Genacker sock). The Kite Katcher is a complete easy to use launch and retrieval system.