Sails Overview
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|---|
 |  |
 |
 |
 |
|---|
Symmetrical Spinnakers
Spinnaker coding explained: Most spinnakers fall into five mold shapes to suit different wind speeds and wind angles. In the 1-5 numbering system, the even numbers designate running shapes and the odd numbers are reaching sails. Lower numbers designate lighter wind sails and higher numbers are for higher wind speeds. Code Zeros were invented after the original numbering system and they are very flat spinnakers for light air close reaching; they are a must on boats with non-overlapping genoas.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CODE ZERO LIGHT AIR REACHING | S1 LIGHT AIR REACHING | S2 LIGHT AIR RUNNING | S3 MEDIUM AIR REACHING | S4 MEDIUM / HEAVY RUNNING | S5 HEAVY AIR SPINNAKER |
| Description: | Description: | Description: | Description: | Description: | Description: |
| Light Air asymmetrical reaching sail that meets the minimum definition of a spinnaker. While it is a very small spinnaker, it is nearly three times the size of a light No. 1 on a boat with non-overlapping genoas. | Light Air Reaching Symmetrical Spinnaker. In the past would have been called a VMG spinnaker. Used in winds to light to sail deeper than 110 degrees AWA. | Light/Medium Air Running Symmetrical Spinnaker. Full size with big shoulders designed to fly at deep angles. | Medium Air Reaching symmetrical Spinnaker. Wider and deeper shape than the S1. Yet narrower and flatter than the S2 and S4. | Medium/Heavy Running Symmetrical Spinnaker. Smaller shoulders than S2, yet still designed to fly at deeper angles. | Heavy Air Reaching Asymmetrical Spinnaker. Short on the hoist, or flown from the hounds instead of the masthead on a fractional rig. |
| Apparent Wind Speed: | Apparent Wind Speed: | Apparent Wind Speed: | Apparent Wind Speed: | Apparent Wind Speed: | Apparent Wind Speed: |
| 0 – 10 knots | 0 – 10 knots | 6 – 18 knots | 10 – 20 knots | 14 – 30 knots | 20 – 35 knots |
| Apparent Wind Angle: | Apparent Wind Angle: | Apparent Wind Angle: | Apparent Wind Angle: | Apparent Wind Angle: | Apparent Wind Angle: |
| 45 – 70 degrees | 70 – 110 degrees | 110 – 170 degrees | 70 – 130 degrees | 120 – 170 degrees | 90 – 170 degrees |
| Materials: | Materials: | Materials: | Materials: | Materials: | Materials: |
| Light laminate or 1.5 oz. nylon | .5 oz. nylon | .6 to .75 oz. nylon | .9 to 1.5 oz. nylon | .9 to 1.5 oz. nylon | 1.5 to 2.2 oz. nylon |