Flying an Ensign Spinnaker
Note: These notes are for a leeward set and takedown of the spinnaker. This is only one way to do it. We'll likely have some more text to follow this at some point to get into other methods as well. Please email us if you have any good suggestions.
(this is assuming spinnaker set with pole on starboard side, for a boat which has color-coded spinnaker sheets: green for starboard side, red for port side).
Spinnaker Sets
Pole Set:
- Set pole topping lift to mark on line
- Free-up pole downhaul
- Free-up Spinnaker sheet and guy
- Go forward on foredeck to set pole
- Clip topping lift and downhaul onto pole
- Clip pole end on the guy (green)
- Push pole forward against forestay while clipping pole end to mast
- Check to make sure green guy is not hung up under the genoa or genoa hanks
- Secure pole down haul
Spinnaker Set:
- Position Spinnaker basket on bench
- Attach sheet and guy sister hooks
- Attach Spinnaker halyard making sure it is outside and under the genoa
- Hoist spinnaker via the spinnaker halyard
- Pull-in and set the guy (green)
- Pull-in and trim the sheet (red)
Genoa Takedown:
- Harden-up on genoa sheet to keep genoa from going into the water
- Release the genoa halyard
- Go forward and pull down the genoa
- Ease up on the genoa sheet so the genoa can be stuffed under the foredeck shockcord
Or
- Harden up on genoa sheet
- Release the genoa halyard while simultaneously pulling in the genoa downhaul
- Ease-up on the genoa sheet
- Go forward to stuff genoa under the foredeck shockcord
Trim spinnaker and go!
Spinnaker Jibe
- Plan for a wide rounding if possible
- Position boat and spinnaker trim as close to dead down wind as possible at time of jibe
- Release the pole downhaul
- Go forward onto foredeck
- Unclip pole end from mast ring
- Clip pole end onto sheet which will become new guy
- Unclip pole end from old guy which will become new sheet
- In coordination with boom jibe, push out pole and clip pole end on mast ring
- Return to cockpit to trim spinnaker
Spinnaker Takedown
Position the Genoa:
- Get genoa clew in correct position and genoa sheet around winch
- Hoist the genoa
- Trim in the sheet
Take down the Spinnaker:
- Grab the spinnaker sheet reaching under the genoa
- Release the guy
- Gather the spinnaker by the foot from clew to clew
- Release the spinnaker halyard and gather in the collapsed spinnaker into the basket
- Take off the Spinnaker halyard and clip to the rail eyestrap inside the genoa
- Take off sheet and guy and clip sister hooks together
Take down the pole:
- Release pole downhaul
- Go forward and unclip pole end from mast ring
- Unclip guy from pole end
- Unclip downhaul from pole and clip it to topping lift snap
- Unclip topping lift from pole
- Return pole to cockpit
- Snug-up downhaul/topping lift
- Get tension onto sheet/guy lines so they stay on board
Repositioning Spinnaker Gear
- Wait until boat is trimmed and on a long port tack
- Attach spinnaker halyard to sister hook group outside the genoa
- Release the green line
- Pull halyard and sister hooks to port side via the red line
- Return spinnaker halyard to cabintop position inside the free genoa sheet
- Make sure the sheet/guy sister hooks are outside the free genoa sheet
Contact us if you'd like to learn more about Ensign sailing.