Asymmetrical Spinnaker Sock

[sailorboy1]

My "new" boat has an asym spinnaker in a sock which I used for the first time the other day. Now I had read this and it was apparent even before hoisting, but dang there is a lot of sail that hangs out of the bag! The sock only comes to the crew of the sail and that leaves a lot flapping around.

I'm talking like a 4 foot length of sail that is blowing around while I run lines etc. This can not be good for the sail and I have even tried some lines around the loose sail to tame it some.

While I guess I can see the sense of having the sock only come down to the crew of the sail; is there really any reason it could not come down further? In the end I want this sail as easy to use in order to increase that it will in fact get used on a boat only sailed by 2 people.

[bewitched]

Mine is the same. I don,t think its a big deal, if the sock went full length, you'd have to pull some sail out anyway to connect the sheets

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

I'm talking like a 4 foot length of sail that is blowing around while I run lines etc. This can not be good for the sail and I have even tried some lines around the loose sail to tame it some.

All lines should be run prior to hoisting the sock.

1st step: rig
2nd step: hoist (with the sock in the main's wind shadow)
3rd step: steer new course
4th step: trim the sheet
5th step: serve the beers.

Never move to the subsequent step until the previous step is fully made.

[sck5]

ditto what bash said. mine too has a bunch of sail hanging out but I rig it before it ever comes out of the bag. still have to remember to douse it before squalls hit......

[sailorboy1]

I do rig it before hand as much as possible. Doesn't help much when I pull the sock down to jibe etc. and it wraps around the forestay while it blows all around.

I'm asking if there is some reason the sock can not be longer that I'm not thinking of (the sheet is attached to the sail when it's in the bag).

[Factor]

Mine covers all the sail?

[nigel1]

Mines the same, the bag is long enough to reach the clew, so that the tack is not covered. Can't see any reason not to have a longer bag, but your still going to have to pull the bag up to attach the sheets.
I'm in the process of stitching a series of loops down the length of the bag, inside and out, to run the bag control lines. On my own, I had a problem with the line getting wrapped around the bag, so hoping this will sort it.

[sailorboy1]

I normally leave the sheets attached to the sail when I put it back in the bag, so attaching the sheets isn't an issue to a longer sock.

Or is leaving the sheets attached annd coiled in the bag so big being a dumb ass thing? (this asym thing is new to me)

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Bash

All lines should be run prior to hoisting the sock.

1st step: rig
2nd step: hoist (with the sock in the main's wind shadow)
3rd step: steer new course
4th step: trim the sheet
5th step: serve the beers.

Never move to the subsequent step until the previous step is fully made.

Not always.

Not all of the asyms that I sail are stored in a proper spinnaker bag with the tack, clew and head attached to velcro straps.

I have found that I get fewer fouled lines by attaching the sheets AFTER I raise the sail in the sock. On a couple of occasions the sheet wound up being fed through the dousing line. The has occurred with sails that I have not packed.

Very few socks cover the entire sail.

Doesn't help much when I pull the sock down to jibe etc. and it wraps around the forestay while it blows all around.

You should not have to douse the sail to gybe.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by Bash

All lines should be run prior to hoisting the sock.

1st step: rig
2nd step: hoist (with the sock in the main's wind shadow)
3rd step: steer new course
4th step: trim the sheet
5th step: serve the beers.

Never move to the subsequent step until the previous step is fully made.

You've nailed it. Also, buy better beer and plenty of ice! Essential to the arts nautical.

[Reach-around]

North sails UK has an excellent video on their website demonstrating how to rig, raise and gybe an asymmetric.

[Palarran]

Here's a link to the North Sails video. It is really good.
North Sails: Gennaker Handling Video