CRUISING SPINNAKERS
Easy Furl Code D
An asymmetric cruising spinnaker with a nearly straight luff that furls from the cockpit like a genoa — easy, safe downwind power without a trip to the bow.
The Easy Way to Sail Downwind
One of the biggest challenges cruising sailors face is how to sail downwind with only their upwind sails. The jib collapses and bangs against the mast, gives little power, and gets beaten up — so you end up motoring, with the noise and exhaust blowing across the boat. Neither is much fun. For years the answer was a cruising spinnaker, but setting one with a dousing sock still meant sending someone forward to raise and lower it, which isn’t ideal for a less experienced crew.
Now there’s a much better alternative. UK Sailmakers developed the Easy Furl Code D — a cruising spinnaker you can pre-set, then release and furl from the safety and comfort of the cockpit. It’s an asymmetric spinnaker with a nearly straight luff that furls from the bottom up, just like a genoa, on a standard continuous-line furler. It’s easier to use than a Stasher system and less expensive than a top-down furler. The “Code D” name comes from its shape: a straight luff and round leech that together look like the letter “D.”
Furls From the Cockpit
No trips to the bow
The Code D rolls up from the bottom like a genoa, so you set and douse it from the safety of the cockpit — no going forward to wrestle a dousing sock.
All-Purpose Downwind
70° to dead downwind
It reaches, runs, and even flies wing-on-wing with or without a whisker pole — one sail for nearly every downwind angle a cruiser or daysailer needs.
Simple, Affordable Furling
Continuous-line, bottom-up
It uses a standard continuous-loop furler — easier than a Stasher and less expensive than a top-down system, so it’s friendly on the crew and the budget.
Why It’s Called a “Code D”
The Code D’s nearly straight luff is what makes it work. That straight leading edge lets the sail furl evenly and tightly, while the round leech gives it the powerful, deep shape of a true downwind sail — and together they form the “D” you can see from the right angle.
A Code D performs well from about 70° apparent wind angle to nearly dead downwind, and will even fly wing-on-wing with or without a whisker pole — truly an all-purpose sail for cruisers and daysailers. For smaller sails we install a double luff rope; for bigger sails, an anti-torque rope. And because these spinnakers can be built from any nylon, you’re free to get creative with color.
Don’t be afraid of cruising spinnakers any longer. Hoist your Code D before leaving the dock or mooring and leave it furled until you’re ready. When the time comes, unroll it and cruise downwind in comfort, safety, and speed.
Push-Button Furling
The Easy Furl Code D works with any continuous-loop, bottom-up furler — or with the new Electric FurlerLoop EF1500 from Kohlhoff, the latest step forward in spinnaker handling. The Kohlhoff unit runs on an external 18-volt lithium battery, so the furler never has to come off the sprit to charge. Talk to your local UK Sailmakers representative about which furling setup best suits your boat and budget.
FAQs
What is a Code D?
It’s an asymmetric cruising spinnaker with a nearly straight luff that furls from the bottom up, like a genoa. The name comes from its shape — a straight luff and a round leech that together look like the letter “D.”
How is it different from a regular cruising spinnaker?
A traditional cruising spinnaker is doused with a sock, which means sending someone forward to raise and lower it. The Code D’s straight luff lets it roll up on a continuous-line furler from the cockpit — easier and safer, especially for less experienced or short-handed crews.
What wind angles does it cover?
It performs from about 70° apparent wind angle all the way to nearly dead downwind, and it will even fly wing-on-wing with or without a whisker pole — a true all-purpose downwind sail for cruisers and daysailers.
What furler does it need?
Any continuous-loop, bottom-up furler. It’s easier to use than a Stasher system and less expensive than a top-down furler. You can also add Kohlhoff’s Electric FurlerLoop EF1500 for push-button furling — its external 18-volt lithium battery means the unit doesn’t have to come off the sprit to charge.
Can I choose the color?
Yes. The Code D can be built from any nylon, so you’re free to get creative with colors. Smaller sails get a double luff rope and larger sails an anti-torque rope so they furl evenly and tightly.
