Symetrical or asymmetrical? 26 August 2016

For Belisama, I opted for a Code 0 and an asymmetrical spinnaker. This allows covering most of the wind directions most effc-iciently, except the real back wind, where I was really missing the old symmetrical spinnaker of La Malouine. 

Following an encounter with Flocon de mer, I decided to experiment a bit...

Flocon de mer is an Ovni 395 that we met in Gävle and Kuggören in July. I got struck by their mounting of an asymmetrical spinnaker on a boom. Yet, they use a sock to pull it off, and I was not really sure how this would function with a furler.

Flocon de mer, backwind, under asymmetrical spinnaker mounted on a boom

It works fantastiskt (Swedish) assuming that both sheets are used, the boom downhaul is attached to the end of the boom and on the bowsprit, and the boom uphaul is on the end of the boom as well. Given the shape of the symmetrical spinnaker, the boom needs to be put rather low. But this is most easy with the three lines joining to the outer end of the boom, allowing a most precise positioning of the boom.

As we passed Dalarö, we had to back tack and pass with sideways winds between two islands, in a narrow rocky straight. I got the centre board down to control better the direction. But I forgot it down, which resulted in a dramatic "départ au lof" as we got a strong gust between two islets. One lesson learnt!

By the way, in the thick fog, running on radar, we encounter a funny AIS round target, reported to move a couple of knots, and basically turning around the tip of the island as we were passing along. As we passed very close to the island, we could see the coast quite clearly. But nothing that could emit any kind of AIS signal. Unless up in the air?