MacGregorSailors.com

I'm looking for a Asymmetrical Spinnaker for my
One sail loft suggest a 226 sq' sail vs other sailmaker who recommends 300 sq' sail. Same fabric/weight. but 25% smaller.
If I go with the smaller sail (less$) will I regret not going bigger? subjective I know but I have no experience with spinnakers and no idea how different sizes affect performance,handling, ease of use,etc.
Any help would be appreciated.

Keep it simple and just get the Hyde genneker (asymmetrical spinnaker) and snuffer from Judy B who advertises on this site. it is 290 sq. ft.and is easy to operate, I have this setup and am quite satisfied with it. I think the factory one was 350 sq. ft.which may be a bit big. There are some accessories to buy in order to use a genneker like 100 ft of line, blocks, anchor points,hound, halyard cleats etc which add to the cost so set aside some extra $$.

If you use the advanced search you should get tons of info on this topic.
I agree with Terry not to go too big to start, make it fun first. Juby B. will tell you right size for your , we have an with shorter mast so might be different size spinnaker(s).

I think the definitions may be a little different depending on the manufacturer, some may be different names for similar type sail.
My general interpretation is:
Most "light-air" spinnakers are made of about 1/2-3/4 inch rip-stop nylon.
1) Symmetrical = both luff and leech are equal length (we use a double-jaw spinnaker pole)
2) Asymmetrical = Luff is longer than leech (no pole required, but we have a single-jaw & spike-end whisker pole and parrel-beads)
3) Gennaker = Luff is longer than leech (similar to an Asym) but flatter cut like a genoa.
* We also have adjustable tack line led to cockpit, sheets led to aft blocks near stern cleats, topping-lift and down-haul lines, and dedicated spinnaker mast hound and halyard.

We have all three types of spinnakers with separate Chute-Scoops (photos below).

Our Gennaker: (can point a little higher than a our Asymmetrical, basically a similar cut (shape & draft) as the our dacron 150% genoa)


Our more balloony Asymmetrical


Our strictly downwind Symmetrical (with pole to starboard, you can see the topping lift bridles black line)

[quote="Wind Chime"]If you use the advanced search you should get tons of info on this topic.
I agree with Terry not to go too big to start, make it fun first. Juby B. will tell you right size for your , we have an with shorter mast so might be different size spinnaker(s).

I think the definitions may be a little different depending on the manufacturer, some may be different names for similar type sail.
My general interpretation is:
Most "light-air" spinnakers are made of about 1/2-3/4 inch rip-stop nylon.
1) Symmetrical = both luff and leech are equal length (we use a double-jaw spinnaker pole)
2) Asymmetrical = Luff is longer than leech (no pole required, but we have a single-jaw & spike-end whisker pole and parrel-beads)
3) Gennaker = Luff is longer than leech (similar to an Asym) but flatter cut like a genoa.
* We also have adjustable tack line led to cockpit, sheets led to aft blocks near stern cleats, topping-lift and down-haul lines, and dedicated spinnaker mast hound and halyard.



Our more balloony Asymmetrical


Thanks for the info. Any idea the square footage of your Asymmertrical?
As Judy B is a retailer I don't want to pick her brains and then perhaps go elsewhere. Her website for a suggests a 300 sq' sail and one quote from another site they suggest a 226 sq' sail. Less $ than the 300

You're best to make a few decisions first before buying. Most important is halyard position. If you are going to add a dedicated spinnaker halyard (best idea) you will need to add an additional hound about 18" above your existing forestay hound (may also need another horn cleat on the base of mast to make fast the new halyard)

This is important as your spinnaker luff hoist length is determined by where your spinnaker hound is placed and the tack on the deck. Once you have your estimated luff length the other lengths (leech, foot) kinda fall in place based on standard algorithm from sail loft.

Make sense?
Darry

Luff=27'
Leech=24'
Foot=13' (foot is a little too small, it think should maybe be more like 15'-ish (150% of J) (our Gennaker has is 150% a much better push, even though its flatter)