What kind of square footage should I be looking for? How about dimensions? I'm interested to know what works and what doesn't. Any help is appreciated!!!

I'd think you'd want to choose a spin from a similar sized boat, is the 5.2 a sixteen foot boat? If so, s spin made for an F16 might be appropriate. What are you thinking of doing for a snuffer? And what pole length?

If you can afford to have a spin built need from an experienced sail maker, he'd get a bunch of dimensions from you, and it would fit perfectly. If you're adapting an existing spin, you'll need to adjust parameters like pole length, pole tip height, spin hlyd block location, and sheeting location, to get the spin to set properly. Not a big deal, I've done it numerous times. Just a bit more fussing on your part.

Dave

5.2 is 17' long. I have an 1 1/2" OD aluminum pole that is 12' long. I believe it used to be the boom to a Sunfish. I'm going to do some more homework and ask plenty more questions before I make a move!! I'd rather pick up a used sail and fuss with adjustments!! Thanks for your input Dave

I have a small spinnaker from an A-cat (originally made to order) on my 5.2. I think its 15.3 m2 (165 sq/ft off the top of my head).
Works great using an old windsurfer carbon mast. I threw away the original stays and went with all dyneema. Didn't bother to run an extra set to the bows, it all just attaches to big D shackles through the bridle tangs. I eyeballed the stay lengths and adjusted them over a couple of test sails to get everything set up. No drama at all.

It is set up with a continuous halyard / dousing line with an integrated outhaul for the mid-pole snuffer I got it with. Its a single line system, pull one way to hoist, the other way to douse (after releasing the clamp).

I have manual ratchets on the sheets (sheeted from the side stay terminals) but would strongly advise using auto ratchets.

I bought this off an A-cat sailor who used it once and found it to be too much to handle on such an unstable platform.

Advantage to the small spinnaker is I can see under it while sailing solo. The bigger units have a lower lower leach thus decreasing safety. Besides, this is a fun boat to me and would never be competitive regardless of which spinnaker I put on it.

Here's a picture of the setup:

Some other thoughts to consider. As dennis brings up sizing, a good point is to consider how much you sail the boat solo, smaller being better for that. With a 17' boat I guess you could investigate spins from F18s, there's bound to be a fair number of them used, but they'd be on the big side for your 5.2. Which brings up the spin hlyd blk location. The safe rule of thumb is to locate it 1/3 of the distance between the hounds and the masthead, up from the hounds, to limit the load the spin puts on the unsupported upper section of the mast. I located it half way up on a SC20 with no adverse effects, but not sure I'd recommend it. Where the hlyd blk is located, and pole tip location will give you a luff length that you might want to determine before shopping for a spin, don't want to buy one that's longer than what you can safely accommodate.

On the Stealth F16 I've got two Harken auto ratchets on each side, one attached at the shroud chainplate, and the other mounted to the main beam, with the sheet run to the shroud blk first, then fwd to the one on the beam. Very easy to hold, and releases easily when the blks are adjusted properly.

I have SNU mid pole snuffers on three cats, and really like them. Other mid pole snuffer are certainly available, probably for less money. End pole snuffers are somewhat out of style, because if windage and appearance I think, might be available cheap if you can find one. Note that the socks have a limited life, subject to UV degradation, so inquire about that when buying, and be prepared to replace it at some point. I have covers fabricated for all my snuffers to extend the life of the socks, and I generally leave the spin in the sock when the boat is parked.

Dave