Snuffer Rig

Typically a mid-pole uses 3 patches, since the kite has to be snuffed into a shorter sock. the end-pole snuffers usually use a 2-patch setup. It's all based on the length of the bag.

Take the length of your bag (say 7 feet) and make three strings 7' long with loops on the end. Stake the spinnaker on the ground and attach the strings to each corner. For the bottom of the spinnaker, mark the point where the two strings just meet - this gives you the bottom snuffer point. Then take the top string and mark a point at the end of the string and in the middle of the spinnaker (there may be some room for experimentation here by offsetting to one side or the other). Then place a third middle snuffer point between the upper and the bottom.

In some cases, the distance between the middle snuffer point and the ends will be more than the length of the sock. This is not entirely desirable, but it will normally snuff OK as it tends to bunch up there anyway. More distance in the middle leads to more snuffing resistance but if you go further than your snuffer sock length directly to the corners, you'll have corners sticking out.

I've found that on most kites the loops on the patches are too big and that causes some bunching. If this happens, sew the loop shut until you get a douse that doesnt bunch.

Bill,

Are you talking about resistance to launching? I can see that (and hadn't considered it) but I can't see how open loops would cause difficulty snuffing.

Need to check the loop size on the 20 as it is still a bitch to hoist.

What I've seen on some kites is that the loops are too big and the top patch gets pulled down through the lower patches and bunches it all up. It makes it hard to douse and really hard to hoist.

Those little plastic balls on the retrieval line between the patches works great to prevent this.