single handed spinnaker handling

>>>I was wondering how everyone is handling the spinnaker when/if they single hand. Are you all using a snuffer or Guck Inc. skunk?

I do it by hand with a bag fitted to my trampoline. Hoisting the spi is never a problem; taking it down only get critical at the stronger winds BUT can be done when prepared properly.

>>Is anyone sailing solo with the spin out of a tramp bag?

Yep, me.

>>I have been launching out of a tramp bag, and that has worked great when sailing double handed, but I have yet to try it solo. I would think it could be done, but I have not yet summoned the courage to try.

Well, if you have the technic down than try it solo in the lighter conditions and work your way up the windstrenghs. In the stronger conditions critical are :

- A well balanced boat so that you can leave the tiller alone for a few seconds

- Steering just shy of straight down wind.

- Sheeting in your mainsail to depower when going straight downwind.

Personally I prefer my Hobie spi bag as that allows me to put away the spi within seconds after I've pulled it in. This bag has no zippers and is a front loader. Other bag with side loading and zippers are cumbersome when singlehanding and often waste alot of time.

>>I have experimented a little with a homemade skunk-style snuffer, but the patches on the sail seem to catch bad on the edge of the hoop when dousing the spin. Has anyone else had that problem, if so how was that fixed?

THis problem was encountered by us on the Guck snuffer system. Kirt is now looking into it and will probably reply to this thread when he has an answer.

Have fun David and really manual setting and doucing can be done quite well with some practise.

Have fun,

Wouter