ASYMMETRICAL SPINNAKERS
A3 Medium Air Reaching — Built for Power
When the breeze builds and you need control without sacrificing speed. Designed for apparent wind angles 70–130° and 10–20 knots, featuring medium entry and .75–.9 oz heavy cloth to handle greater loads while maintaining tight wind angles with reduced heeling.
Why choose an A3 Medium Air Reacher?
Reaching spinnakers are flatter than running chutes to reduce heeling and so that they can sail tighter wind angles. While an A3 has approximately the same sail area as an A1, the material on the A3 is heavier to handle the greater loads. While an A1 would be made out of half-ounce or .6 oz. nylon, an A3 would be made out of .75 oz. to .9 oz. cloth.
This heavier construction allows the A3 to maintain its shape and power in conditions where lighter sails would distort or become overpowered, making it the ideal choice for medium air reaching when you need both speed and control.
Medium Air Performance
10-20 knots true wind
Optimized for apparent wind angles 70-130° in building conditions, the A3 delivers controlled power when lighter sails would distort and heavier sails would be too flat.
Flatter Profile
Medium entry, 85-95% mid-girth
Flatter than running chutes to reduce heeling and enable tighter wind angles while maintaining the power you need in building breeze.
Heavy-Duty Construction
Premium nylon
Built with heavier performance nylon to handle greater loads without distortion, maintaining shape and driving power when conditions intensify.
Understanding Matrix Construction
The key to faster spinnakers lies in their construction. UK Sailmakers uses a Matrix panel layout—a radial design made up of narrow panels aligned with the sail’s primary load paths. Panels radiate from the head, tack, and clew, joined by vertical Matrix panels through the midsection. This layout minimizes distortion and delivers the strongest, most efficient sail for its weight.
Each panel is shaped on all sides to create a smooth, round sail. For one sail to be so versatile, a spinnaker must hold its designed shape without distortion. Distortion is most noticeable when close reaching. Spinnakers made from generic nylon tend to stretch through the middle, which causes the leeches to harden or hook. This reduces driving power, increases drag, and adds heel. The most effective way to prevent distortion, without using a heavier fabric, is to build the sail from performance nylon spinnaker cloth. These materials provide the strength and stretch resistance of standard nylon that is one weight heavier
A3 in Action
FAQs
How is the A3 different from the A1?
While the A3 and A1 have the same sail area, the A3 is built with heavier cloth (.75-.9 oz vs .5-.6 oz) and has a flatter profile (85-95% mid-girth) to handle greater loads in 10-20 knot conditions. The A1 is optimized for light air VMG sailing.
When should I use an A3 instead of an A2?
The A3 is a reaching sail (70-130° AWA) while the A2 is a running sail (105-155° AWA). Use the A3 when you need to sail tighter angles in medium air with less heeling and more control than a fuller running sail provides.
Why does the A3 reduce heeling compared to running sails?
The A3’s flatter profile with medium entry creates less sideways force, allowing you to sail tighter wind angles with better control and less heel. This makes it more manageable in building breeze while maintaining good speed.
What cloth weight should I choose for my A3?
UK Sailmakers will recommend .75 oz to .9 oz high-performance Superkote or Airx nylon based on your boat size and typical conditions. The heavier material prevents distortion under the greater loads experienced in medium air reaching.
