The asymmetric’s designed shape allows it to be carried effectively at lower wind velocities and with apparent-wind angles that are as far forward as 45 degrees.
Code zero sails code#
The figure below illustrates the difference in sail area between an asymmetric spinnaker, a Code 0, and a conventional genoa.īecause an asymmetric does not require a spinnaker pole, the sail’s tack can be set free on a downhaul line at the stem, bowsprit, or headstay with a collar or strap that goes around a furled genoa.
![code zero sails code zero sails](https://www.quantumsails.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Code-Zero-Salona41.jpg)
An asymmetric’s overall shape is fairly deep, or full, but the luff and the leech have different shapes. The maximum width of an asymmetric is usually slightly smaller than that of a symmetric, the area at the head of the sail has a flatter shape, and the total area is smaller. This is a disadvantage of the sail, but when you want to sail downwind at deep (up to 180 degrees) apparent-wind angles, the symmetric is the best sail for the job.Īsymmetric spinnakers are built with a different shape on each side of the centerline, so the sail has a defined luff and leech with the luff longer than the leech. The symmetric spinnaker requires the most lines and rigging and takes the most effort to set, gybe, and douse. The pole is the reason that the symmetric is the only one of the three types that can remain stable when sailing at apparent-wind angles larger than 135 degrees. Symmetric spinnakers require a spinnaker pole to fly correctly. There is a large amount of positive curve to the luff areas on a symmetric spinnaker, and the sail can be carried effectively with the apparent wind as far forward as 65 to 75 degrees. Because both luffs of the sail are the same length, the shape of the sail on either side of the centerline is the same-hence symmetric. Symmetric spinnakers are designed with a width (measured from luff to luff) of 180 percent of the boat’s J dimension (the distance from the mast/deck intersection to the headstay).
![code zero sails code zero sails](http://svislandspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/20180511_144500-1.jpg)
Table 2 shows the approximate areas of the sails I use on my 40-foot cruising boat. An asymmetric spinnaker will have roughly 15 to 25 percent less area than a symmetric spinnaker, and a Code 0 gennaker with the same luff length will have about 30 to 40 percent less. For a given mast height, a symmetric spinnaker will contain more sail area than either of the other two types.