Gybing the Xenon with a spinnaker

We've had heck of a fun race last weekend in F3-4 winds zipping backwards and forwards across the river with the spinnaker up - putting on a good show for the boats behind us.

After much practice, I think we have finally mastered the spinnaker on the Xenon. Without doubt, during our practice runs, we have experienced the big black sail doing whatever it pleased and nothing that we wanted; too frequently this has resulted in us going over. :( - I'll write about righting a turtled Xenon with the spinnaker up (down) and the mast in the mud another time.

So here are the key points to remember on the Xenon when sailing with the spinnaker. I know some of the points might sound obvious but they are here so I can reference them as well...

• Make sure you know where the wind is coming from!
• Ideally when you launch the spinnaker, you need to be on a broad reach and close to a run; this is so you are able to keep control of the power.
• Once the spinnaker is up, the helm needs to help his crew keeping it full.
• To bring power on slowly turn onto a broad reach and back towards a run if it is becoming too much.
• Make sure you as the helm know which way to turn if there is a sudden gust/increase in power (i.e. back towards a run).
• As you start to plane, both of you move back to the rear the boat (see my blog about planing for more info).
• When coming to a gyb point move the jib over first - perhaps before you turn.
• Keep the power on all the way until you want to gyb and don't slow down. This is because you don't want to be over powered once you have turned.    
• Asymmetric spinnakers are no good on a run so you will have to play the angle and speed game when racing.
• Have fun!

The easiest mistake to make when you have the spinnaker up on a Xenon is being overpowered. Follow the steps above and you should be okay. The additional challenge we have in Wivenhoe is we are sailing on a river and the angles you might need to take to fly the spinnaker take you over salt marsh, mud and fields.