260 Mod: Reaching Asyms

The 260 has a very modern racing rig; a 9/10s fractional mast with a 105% non-overlapping jib. The tall mast and big mainsail give 400 square feet of upwind sail, and helps make up for lost area due to not being able to fly an overlapping genoa. This sailplan works well for all sailing conditions EXCEPT for lighter air reaching. Here with the lower apparent wind angle a big head-sail would be nice but not possible, and the apparent wind angle is too hot for a spinnaker.

NOTE - While this post is historically accurate, every aspect of the gear and sails has been updated on BlueJ, and documented HERE.

The trick in these conditions is to fly a flat reaching asymmetric. Ours is what a sail-maker would call a Code 1. Modern rules now measure so-called Code 0 and Code 1 sails separately and depending on your racing rules they often have to be declared.

This sail can come out almost any time in distance racing or sailing where we can fetch the mark. It is cut from 1.5oz nylon and has a dyneema reinforced luff to help carry the load. It is tacked to the bowstem on a short strop. We never gibe the thing so only one sheet is needed.

Here we are in 7 knots of breeze. Apparent wind angle is 47 degrees. It feels like the wind is on the nose, and the sail as just a small 'knuckle' in the luff, as seen by the curled chevrons. Here the trimming is all the driver, as they must anticipate puffs and turn down slightly before they hit, as easing the sheet only makes the luff collapse.

You can see how much flatter this sail is by comparing it to its All Purpose (AP) sister, cut from .75oz nylon cloth. Pulled to the same basic shape, the AP is MUCH fuller in the mid section, with will give it better shape when the tack is let out and the sail rotates to windward. But the AP will collapse when trying to go to windward.

What is the difference between a Code 0 and a Code 1? There are both practical and possible rule limitations. If raced, code sails are built to be spinnakers, meaning their mid girth is over 75% of the foot. This give the sail much more roach, and camber. But is also means that the sail cannot be used at as high a wind angle. Compare the small picture of a typical Code 0, with the roach on BlueJ's Code 1. The red line in the picture below shows her sail if it was cut with a straight leech. In practical terms, a Code 0 allows you to sail about 5 degrees higher apparent wind. A Code 0 will often be made of of stronger sailcloth, like a spectra. Our Code 1 is made from 1.5oz nylon, with a dyneema reinforced luff.

There is one other consideration, where to tack it, and how to launch it?

Unlike a regular asymmetrical spinnaker, there is no real performance advantage to projecting the sail forward of the bow, as on the reach the wind is on the beam and the sail is already in good air. But still, tacking the sail at the bow is not ideal, as it must stay clear of the pulpit and potentially the furling gear. On BlueJ, we use a short strop of dyneema with a shackle on it for the tack.

The other option is to install prod. This fixture is designed to move the tack forward so there is a straight line from the head of the sail to the tack, clearing the bow pulpit. It MUST be reinforced with a bob-stay to take the extra upward pressure the sail generates. It also allows the sail to be furled, which is a huge plus when racing. If you bag-launch any reaching asym, you must turn down to hoist the sail, and cannot come back up until the sail is trimmed. This is not necessary with the sail on a furler.

Here is a nice custom prod made for a First 210. It has a hard point for a furler, and a block for the tack line of a regular asym. Nice stuff.

A great sail to have in the quiver. UK Sails published a great document on the selection and trimming of Code sails, you can find a copy HERE.