[C320-list] Used Asymmetrical Spinnaker

[Nancy Dibble via C320-list]

Hello Catalina 320 Group,

I am looking for a used Asymmetrical Spinnaker for sale. We have been
doing buoy racing with just our Jib and Main and want to improve our
downwind performance.

Does anyone have an asym that they'd like to sell?

Thank you!
--
Nancy Dibble
Science Education Instructor/Mentor/Author
(559) 240-2024

[Greg Arnold via C320-list]

Nancy,

Where is your boat located?

Greg #1054

[Diane Fowler via C320-list]

We tried racing spinnaker 5 years ago and gave up- I sold sail to my
competitor. Our hull shape just doesn't go that much faster. We just
jib downwind instead.

Captain Diane Fowler, CRS, GRI, e-PRO

Entrepreneur / REALTOR®
Experience Real Estate Group, LLC
[1]https://dianefowler.eresuccess.com

Cell/Text: (239) 850-4935
[2]dian...@aol.com
"A referral of your friend is the greatest compliment anyone can give
me."

On Jun 20, 2025, at 1:17 PM, Nancy Dibble via C320-list
<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

Hello Catalina 320 Group,

References

1. https://dianefowler.eresuccess.com/
2. mailto:dian...@aol.com

[Doug Treff via C320-list]

Diane,

The real issue is that Asym just doesn't allow you to sail downwind. If you try, the main blankets the Asym and it collapses. To be competitive in Spinnaker Class, a symmetrical spinnaker with a traditional pole setup allows you to pole the spinnaker out and get it out in clear air to windward of the main.

The boat I race on had our butts handed to us for several years in Spin class until we switched to a regular spinnaker. Now, we are competitive. Full disclosure, this is not a C320, but the principles are the same on any boat. I've seen the same phenomenon with other boats in the fleet. None of the boats with Asym ever do consistently well when competing against boats with symmetrical setups.

There is additional cost and complexity required to fly the symmetrical, and there is more opportunity for mistakes, but once you get a system worked out - and a consistent foredeck crew - it has made a huge difference.

--
Doug Treff
do...@treff.us

[Nancy Dibble via C320-list]

Thank you for this insight, Doug.
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 23, 2025, at 2:11 PM, Doug Treff via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> Diane,

[Jeff Smith via C320-list]

I think it depends on the cut of the asym. You can get different a-sails
for different points of sail as well as wind speeds. I am currently
participating in Block Island race week. I have not seen many, if any at
all, symmetricals. For context, I have also raced several blue water races
and the same trend is observed there. In our class (performance/cruiser on
an XP-44) at Block Island, the entire class uses asymmetricals. We carry
four (code zero, a-1 through a-3); they make a difference. And as Doug
suggested, they are easier to handle. Granted, this does not invalidate
Doug’s comments. My only point is that you will see considerable increases
in speed if you have the right asymm for the angle and wind speed you are
trying to sail.
FWIW.

Cheers,
Jeff
#121

On Mon, Jun 23, 2025 at 10:04 PM Nancy Dibble via C320-list <

[Richard Walker via C320-list]

Understand
Sent from my iPad

> On Jun 24, 2025, at 03:53, Jeff Smith via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> I think it depends on the cut of the asym. You can get different a-sails

[Mark Seyler via C320-list]

The other factor that can make a difference with an asymmetrical spinnaker is the tack point. I don't race my 320, and don't own any spinnaker. But the boat I do race on (a Cal 48) switched from symmetrical to asymmetrical spinnakers a few years ago by adding a removable bow sprit to get the tack about 3-4 feet forward of the bow. The bowsprit gets the luff of the asymmetrical spinnaker out of the wind shadow of the main at slightly deeper angles, and gives more room to gybe the spinnaker. It's true we can't go dead downwind, but even with a symmetrical spinnaker it was often faster to gybe with the wind at about 120 degrees relative, rather than sailing dead downwind.

A prior owner of my 320 reinforced the bow pulpit and added a tang there that I think was intended as a tack point for an asymmetrical spinnaker. I suspect that a removable bowsprit would be more effective because it would get the sail farther forward of the forestay. But I don't see a way to mount a removable sprit so that it wouldn't interfere with the anchor locker. And since I don't race, I have never gotten around to buying any spinnaker.

Mark Seyler
S/V Reality,
Catalina 320, #232
New Orleans, LA