Cruising Gennakers

Cruising Gennakers are a stable, easy to fly sail. Cruisers are adding downwind performance and enjoyment. Offered as reaching or running options, the Gennaker's common ideal package may include a Gennaker furler or dousing sock.

A Cruising Gennaker is a free flying, asymmetric spinnaker tacked directly to the bow or to a bowsprit and does not require a spinnaker pole. Almost all sailmakers offer them in three basic designs (based on apparent wind angle or wind strength): a. G0 Close Reacher 70 - 90 AWA, b. G1 All Purpose 90 - 120 AWA c. G2 Runner 110 - 140 AWA. Since you are trying to avoid constant trimming, a good cruising gennaker should feature a wide steering groove. This is even more important when flying your sail under the autopilot.

Cruising Gennakers doesn't need extra equipment. Two spinnaker sheets, 1 tack line and you are set. We still recommended that you would consider a gennaker furler or dousing sock for a more comfortable and easy hoist and drop.

Gybing your Cruising Gennaker:

There are two ways of gybing your gennaker: Inside and Outside.

Inside: Set the spinnaker sheets between the luff or tack of the sail and the headstay. AS you start turning the boat dead downwind, easy the sheet until the clew is half the way between the mast and the bow. As you continue to turn the boat, start pulling the new sheet bringing the clew to leeward. Continue to trim until the desired sailing angle. This technique is most commonly used in boats up to 45 ft., or when you have your gennaker set on a bowsprit.

Outside: Leave the spinnaker sheet outside the luff, most likely you would like to have the sail set up with a tack batten to prevent the sheet from going under the boat when not in use.

As you start turning the boat downwind, continue to easy the sheet until the clew goes pass the luff, once your sail is flying like a flag in front of the boat start pulling the new spinnaker sheet as the boat turns into the desire sailing angle. Do not work too much, let the sail come back as the wind pushes her back.

This technique is most commonly use in big boats or boats with really large asymmetrical spinnakers.