Richard: Please tell me more about you Gennaker. I'm seriously thinking of getting something like that for my M15. The spinnaker I have is usually more bother than it is worth when single-handing. I have a spinnaker halyard similar to what you describe and thought the tack of the Gennaker might be attached to the bow pulpit rather than where the jib tack is usually attached, so that there is more clearance around the forestay. Is that what you do? --Gary Hyde N24 'Sailabration' M15 #235 'Vanilla' On Nov 01, 2004, at 5:29 PM, Richard Cottrell wrote:
Steve:
If you often experience light winds you might consider a gennaker. I fly mine from either the spinnaker halyard (6" above the top of the forestay) or from the masthead (I use my topping lift to substitute for the gennaker halyard which is on a swival block to the port side at the top of the mast). It works great.
If the wind picks up, it's easy for one person to douse from the cockpit and then raise the jib, while singlehanded. My Gennaker has 144 sq. ft. of sail area. It's colorful and easy to deal with and lots of fun!!
I like to use it in light winds on early morning sails after picking up anchor when reaching for periods of 1/2 hour or more. Downwind, I pop the spinnaker, in similar situations.
Jerry also mentioned in the article you refer to that the 15 might be better with more ballast. A masthead rig without more ballast may not work so well. How many 15' sailboats have a masthead rig?
Rich Cottrell M15
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