Sailnet.com-- Asymmetrical spinnakers
(or aspins) have become so popular in the last few years that most
sailors are aware of what they are and how to use them. But there are
many versions of these sails, and sailmakers are constantly
experimenting with different shapes and sizes in cruising and racing
aspins-for all-around use or for sailing in very specific conditions. It
would be difficult, if not impossible, to get much of a consensus from
competing sailmakers, regarding the "best" or "correct" size or shape
for this type of sail. However, here are some of the things that I have
discovered by designing and using aspins on a wide variety of racing
and cruising boats over the last several years. One
of the biggest attractions with aspins is that because of their
simplicity, they require less gear and fewer crew to handle than
symmetrical kites, and that makes us more likely to use them more
often. They make downwind sailing much more enjoyable, not to mention
faster, and are extremely versatile sails in terms of achievable angles.
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