I've been really busy lately, not posting much. But here's a video of sailing my new Potter Sport with a Cruising Code Zero on a asymm furler and a Selden bowsprit. We were really flying!
(There's no jib, because I couldn't get the 100% jib to go up the furler. There was something gooey stuck in the furler foil and I decided to go out sailing without a jib. I cleaned the foil next time I had the mast down and it's working fine now. Word to the wise: Clean the furler foil periodically!)
At the boat show this season I finally learned the difference between a spinnaker and an asymmetrical. But still didn't know a code 0 from a screecher vs all the other various sail names. Great article from a cruising blog I follow describing the various types: http://www.sailfeed.com/2014/07/the-bes ... -cruising/
For te , I think many of you who have changed out sails went with a jib and added an asymmetrical. Next season I'm planning on replacing my delaminated 150% genoa.
Is there an appreciable difference between an asymmetrical spinnaker and a code 0? The article seems to say that there is a wider ride of sailing (further upwind) with the code 0 because it's more genoa-like shape, but you can furl (sock) it and just use the jib for higher pointing and easy tacking/maneuvering (compared to just have another 150% genoa and nothing else).
BEST UPWIND:
A cruising zero is optimized for reaching and upwind in light winds. It won't point as high as a jib or genoa, but it generates a lot of power in light winds, when a jib or genoa would be slow. In terms of area, it's about the 1.5 times as big as a 150% genoa, but easier to handle and light enough to fly in really light breezes.
BEST DOWNWIND:
A cruising chute is optimized for reaching and downwind work. It generates a lot more power than a genoa does in light winds. In terms of area, it's about 2.0 times as big as a 150% genoa. It's a lot faster than a genoa on a deep reach because it's more powerful because it's bigger and it's easier to get it out so it's not blanketed by the mainsail.
NOT GREAT DOWNWIND:
A cruising code zero is not as capable as a cruising chute at sailing downwind (lower than a reach) in really light wind, Because it's smaller and shaped a certain way,
NOT GREAT UPWIND:
A cruising chute is not as not as capable as a cruising zero for sailing higher than a reach in more than a couple of knots of wind, Because it's bigger and shaped a certain way,
HOW TO MAKE THE CRUISING CHUTE AND CRUISING ZERO DO SOMETHING THEY ARE NOT DESIGNED TO DO:
Both are designed to generate lift: they are big sails, designed to be large, powerful "wing-shaped" foils with deep cambers and long cords. They are NOT designed to be used in "push" mode, though you can, of course, try doing that if you're so inclined.
You can "pole out" the clew of a Cruising Zero, and sail downwind under wing and wing, just like poling out a genoa is possible. However, when you do that, you are using the Cruising Zero as a "push device" device, like a parachute. So although is is, strictly speaking, possible to stick a whisker pole in the clew of a cruising zero in order to sail DDW,, it's hardly worth the trouble, IMO. If the cruising zero is being used like a big nylon parachute, it's not generating lift as a foil and it's going to be s-l-o-w .
MAKING SENSE OF BUYING A FURLER FOR A CRUISING CHUTE OR CRUISING ZERO
Both are easiest to sail with furler. although both can be be flown without a furler. Furlers are, unfortunately, pretty expensive -- but they make flying a cruising chute or cruising zero super easy and convenient. A furler takes the "fear factor" out of sailing one of these big sails.
A Cruising zero has a special, anti-torsion cable sewn into the luff. It uses a "free flying" furler, that furls "bottom up", with a continuous furling line. This style furler for Mac 25 or 26 can be found starting at about $650 complete. The Selden CX-10 is a very nice unit for around $650.
A Cruising chute doesn't have an anti-torsion cable sewn into the luff. Instead, the furler for a cruising chute has the anti-torsion line attached between the top unit and bottom unit of the furler. The head and tack of the cruising chute are lashed to the top and bottom units, but the curved luff floats freely. Because the sail has big curves in the top of the luff and leech, you need a furler that furls from the "top down". Like the furler for the Cruising Zero, you need one built to use a continuous furling line. The Selden GX, around $900 complete, is a very nice top down furler at a very compeitive price.
HOW TO MAKE AN ASYMMETRIC CRUISING CHUTE SAIL AS DEEP AS A SYMMETRIC SPIINAKER:
Get a spinnaker pole and attach the tack to the pole. Don't use a whisker pole, it's not strong enough.
If you're going to use a spinnaker pole, however, you'd be better off with a traditional symmetric spinnaker.
Love the set up you have with the Seldon bowsprit. I've been thinking of installing one on my 26X but I wasn't sure how it would fit. I couldn't see how you would slide it back out of the way but it doesn't look like you can do that either. I know the anchor locker would be an issue but I don't keep the anchor in there anyway and modifying the lid to allow the outside half to open to feed out the line shouldn't be impossible. What are your thoughts?
Love the set up you have with the Seldon bowsprit. I've been thinking of installing one on my 26X but I wasn't sure how it would fit. I couldn't see how you would slide it back out of the way but it doesn't look like you can do that either. I know the anchor locker would be an issue but I don't keep the anchor in there anyway and modifying the lid to allow the outside half to open to feed out the line shouldn't be impossible. What are your thoughts?
Roy
Hi Roy,
There is a way to make it retractable. I have modified the bow ring slightly so that it swivels. When I retract the pole, the back end slides further aft, and clips onto a fitting on the side deck. I'll try to get some pics and post them here.
Hi Judy
Nice to see ur new boat in action sure is a pretty site gliding through the water , looks like all of ur rigging & design mod changes r working out well for u , thats nice ! to know when things work out well , though sometimes I find I have to tweek things a little after wards a few times to get it correct to my satisfaction , can,t remember if u also done some mods to the inside design ! .
Anyway beautiful looking boat & rig she really moves along nicely, enjoy & post more vids
, I think many of you who have changed out sails went with a jib and added an asymmetrical. Next season I'm planning on replacing my delaminated 150% genoa.
sure is a pretty site gliding through the water , looks like all of ur rigging & design mod changes r working out well for u , thats nice ! to know when things work out well , though sometimes I find I have to tweek things a little after wards a few times to get it correct to my satisfaction 
, can,t remember if u also done some mods to the inside design ! .
