Snuffer Bag and Spinnaker Setup

I own a Nacra 6.0 and its time for me to replace my snuffer bag. Has anyone just made their own? There just dosen't look like there's that much to it. I have found suitable materials on the web...just wondered if anyone's done the same and found it cost effective. Here's the rub...I've owned this boat a little more than a season so my spinnaker flying is pretty much nil (2 sails has been fun enough). I have been doing my homework to the best of my ability, but I still cant figure out how to deploy and douse correctly, and rigging is hard to put into words. I'm looking for a diagram for all the lines. I've been trying to catch a regatta to watch the catsailors rig, but that hasn't happened yet. So help me if you can! Thanks in advance for your replys.



edited by: turtlecat, Sep 15, 2008 - 08:47 AM
http://www.thebeachcats.c…um=1&cat_id=0&pic_id=112



edited by: turtlecat, Sep 14, 2008 - 10:21 PM
spins can be amazingly fun, wild, thrilling and also frustrating, technical, difficult (not to mention expensive).

I did not enjoy the first 10 times I tried my spinnaker. I was bag launching... and it did not make me go faster at all. When I purchased my mid pole snuffer... it added to the complexity and frustration.

After about a dozen times... i finally got the hang of it... but it still had its challenges. When I finally got it down pretty good... I shredded my spin... (It was a F18 with over 50 patches...) it was a good learning spin, and worth the $100 (came with a pole, and a laundry bag to deck launch) but I recently upgraded to a Tornado chute and again became frustrated with not being able to douse it. It was almost new? and needed to be ?worked in a bit? this was part of the problem, also I needed to handle some hardware issues, and perfect my technique.

It has take a dozen times but I am finally able to douse it without completely shrimping it (getting the entire sail in the water) and running over the lines...

It still is a challenge, but it is fast, wild and fun... I have started to fly a hull with a spin and that is fun... I still have lots to learn.

As per your questions... I can only suggest you crew for boats with a spin and learn from them. Also Catsailor.com's forums has lots of info... but nothing comes close to real life experiences.

Link to spin pics - http://www.metalfree.com/a/cat/zack.asp


http://www.metalfree.com/a/cat/shells/zak2.jpg



edited by: andrewscott, Sep 15, 2008 - 11:06 AM
Here are a couple of good resources for the lines setup.

I don't know if this stuff is pretty "standard" of if these guys got creative, but I hope it helps.

The second source shows a snuffer bag on the end of a carbon pole. While I can't attest to the complexity of making yourself the bag, it does look relatively simple.

Good Luck

http://home.comcast.net/~ragenpl/nacra/nacra_spinnaker_1.htm


http://home.comcast.net/~ragenpl/nacra/NACRA_55_SLOOP_SPINNAKER_USING_INTER_20_SNUFFER.htm
i have seen homemade bags... they dont seem to hold up so well. I have also seen new bags/rings not hold up so well... but i would recommend purchasing a new system. they are proven to work. If you are interested in a mid pole snuffer,.. i can get you the contact info for Robby/Jill Nickerson (olympic tornado sailor) where i got mine (it was $450)

http://www.metalfree.com/a/cat/mar-16-07c.jpg

http://www.metalfree.com/a/cat/snuff.asp
Thank You,

I appreciate the two of you for the quick replys. Breakwater the links were quite helpful...thanks. Andrew, thanks for the info and for your experience. I will gladly take the name of who you used. I dont have a problem spending money on the mistress, but I like to push my hands on ability too. I've never sewn a day in my life..I'd hand over some of that to the GF's aunt if I wasnt afraid it would get trimmed with lace...Also I have put my hat in the ring as crew for our Wurstfest Regatta. It's 43 long days away..But there will be good German beer, food, and large busted winches there! So if nothing else I can be there to see the rigging. So thanks again..I'll let you know how I progress.



edited by: turtlecat, Sep 17, 2008 - 11:32 PM
Jill A. Nickerson
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