She sure looks sweet in black and pink. A code 3 asymmetrical spinnaker. Stan is going to love it. This is going to be fun.

For a couple of years we’ve toyed with the idea. Did a ton of research, but frankly I was a bit fearful of such a beast, which of course was just fear of the unknown. Stan and Bill somehow got me to move off the start line. I can’t be happier. Even bought new foredeck shoes.

Half the blogs said find a sail maker, the other half said don’t bother. After talking with a number of sail makers we selected Sam Heck of Quantum Sails in S California. Can’t say enough good words about his service and the sail’s quality. I’m sure there will be a story there.

When the sail arrived Sam joined us in a sea trial to show us the ropes. Under his guidance two miles at sea we rigged and set sail. Seagulls took flight as we whooped with excitement. Sam was almost as excited as we were. He really loves this aspect of service. In winds that we’d normally make 3 knots, the asym  pushed us to hull speed. With the code 3 we sailed above a beam reach though lower than a close reach. While dead down wind doesn’t seem possible or desirable we were with 10 or 15 degrees. Did I say the spin is 3 times the area of our genoa? Fun, challenging, and surprisingly easy.

Quality Time is a 1978 Catalina 30. In that era, asymmetrical were essentially unknown. Spinnakers for racers and twin head sails for cruisers. QT was at one time rigged as double head sails with a stay sail. We inherited 2nd head sail but unless you’re cruising down hill for days, it is not worth the effort to rig. It’s big, it’s heavy, and I’m addicted to the convenience of the jib furler. Besides we would have had to invest in a beefier whisker pole and rig another halyard.

Rigging changes seem to come in thousand dollar chunks. We could have added a spin furler. Very very convenient. To do so would have meant adding a bowsprit and a custom  masthead crane to clear the jib furler. If you have $5,000 to spend on the project, do it. Our target budget was $2,000 with some expectation that $2,500 would be likely.

While a few blogs said dousing socks aren’t needed, most cruisers use them. Racers opt for furlers, cruisers for socks, and a few soloist said they get along fine without either. Though the solo sailors said self-steering was essential. We opt for a sock.

Without a crane you need a masthead bale. This holds the halyard out a crucial couple inches. Fortunately QT had one. Guess how we learned to tie off spin halyards aft and outward of the mast’s leading edge. Wasn’t particularly fun.

Instead of installing a bowsprit we use the anchor roller with a bale held forward. It’s forward to ensure the tack block doesn’t get friendly with the jib furler.  An unexpected expense was re-enforcing the bow deck under the anchor roller. Pleasantly this was just a few hundred to get professionally done.

You gotta love the new materials, light and unbelievable strong. We used 110′ of 5/16 line for the halyard on a 41′ mast. 60′ of 3/8 line for each sheet. We choose 3/8 for hand comfort. You will still want gloves. On a tight budget, a single 60′ suffices IF you are willing to douse the spinnaker to gybe. 20′ of 5/16 for the tack line is a little short, 25′ more comfortable. All lines tilted to the low end of racing lines. Stronger, lighter, and just a few pennies more than pure cruising lines. Don’t forget to whip the lines.

Line is one thing, new blocks though strong look so puny, especially the shackles. Though the numbers were right, we ended up a size larger, which double their cost and at least my peace of mind.

The tack and halyard needs swiveled snap shackles. We preferred to tie sheets to clew. Sam recommended a Y bridle because knots tend to hang up on the standing rigging. We might do that later.

Under sail there is a lot of power to content with. Gloves or rope burn, your choice. It is essential to use the winches before a line loads up.

We’ve 2 horn cleats, a jam cleat, a winch on each side. We’ll probably add another cleat to control unloaded lines.

The tack line is eased as you sail deeper and tightened on reaches. It is worth adding a 2 to 1 purchase to the tack line. the alternative is to just set and forget and save your back.

With the dousing sock it is sanest to furl the jib and leave it furled until done with the spin. We don’t have enough experience to know otherwise. Perhaps its impossible to gybe when both are up with a masthead rig. Don’t know yet.

If you’re sailing in Santa Monica Bay and you see a black with pink star sail, wave.