140 degrees TWA is about the deepest angle I can sail with it. So I only use the screecher at higher wind speeds.
Please refer to the post about polar diagrams. In practice my asymmetrical spinnaker is faster (as it is bigger) at all angles, below wind speeds of 15 knots. I thought this was a good sail between my genoa and A2 asymmetrical spinnaker.
#Code zero vs genoa code
A screecher is a sail that looks like a code zero, but is made of a stronger material and has a fuller shape. I ordered my 120m2 Screecher before my boat was delivered. The handling is a lot easier than my symmetrical spinnaker. So I have a great range of wind angles for which I can use this sail. Flying the tack from the windward bow allows me to sail 170 degrees true. In lighter winds I can use this sail upto 100 degrees true wind angle. Wind direction always fluctuates a bit of course. 130 is a bit high for a symmetrical spinnaker and 160 degrees is too low for a code zero. We are very fast with this sail in a strong breeze at angles of 130-160 degrees true. I also have an A2 Asymmetrical spinnaker of 165m2. I do not need the pole when the angle is less than 160 degrees true. That solves the instability with the main at 170 TWA. Lowering and hoisting a mainsail down wind is also not that easy. I now fly the spinnaker on a spinnaker pole. The extra area gives another knot of boat speed and I can douse the spiannaker in the lee of the sail. Around 170 degrees True wind direction, the mainsail disturbs the spinnaker, which then snags around the forestay.īut I do like to sail with the main sail up. I also tried the spinnaker with the mainsail up. That is also the way Parasailors and Wingakers are sailed, so I experienced not a big difference. I have had no problem with the stability as long as I used it without the mainsail. After careful consideratione we opted for a normal symmetrical spinnaker of 165m2 made by Sail design. These sails are also expensive and the lines that support the wing can catch quite easy behind the rig.
On a mono hull, I would buy one immediately. So I am not really convinced about using Parasailors on Catamarans. On a monohull this will make the boat roll which has a negative effect on the tracking of the boat and requires much more steering action.
On a boat this hole stops the spinnaker swinging from left to right. It works similar as the old-fashioned parachutes from WW2 which had a hole in the center to stabilize the parachute. Socondly, the opening stabilises the spinnaker. They list the total m2 of fabric used, which is a lot more (at least 20-25 m2) than a normal type spinnaker with the same outer dimensions. Beware of listed Parasailor/Wingaker sail areas. At 20 knots of wind you have other options to move forward. A bigger sail helps to generate a decent speed. Many choose a smaller sail because it is supposedly easier to handle. I had some discussions about the suggested size. Usually at around 15 knots of apparent wind speed. Racing boats don’t use Parasailors….Most people want to take the spinnaker down before it is too late. In fact you will always have loss of power with a hole in your spinnaker.
In a puff of wind, the air pressure escapes through the opening. First of all it works as a ‘pressure relieve valve’. We crossed the Atlantic last November 2019 and enjoyed upto 45 knots of wind and big waves. The salesman will tell you that it keeps the bow out of the waves on Cats but we have not experienced any nose diving so far. Cats don’t heel so this is not an important feature. On a monohull this lift reduces heel and therefore the boat is more stable on its rudder. These sails have an opening in the middle which supports a wing. Many opt for a Parasailor /Wingaker type of sail. Parasailor, Wingaker and other Symmetrical Spinnakers I have four additional downwind sails and would like to share my experience and ideas with you. In addition to the standard genoa and mainsail you will want additional sails for down wind sailing.