Demystifying Offwind Cruising Sails

Karen Soule spoke with Jerry Latell of Evolution Sails

We need to de-mystify using off wind cruising sails, says Evolution Sailmakers founder Jerry Latell.  Sailors keep asking for sophisticated polar diagrams for these sails, but they really aren’t necessary nor the sails that complicated.  Racing sailors carry a quiver of spinnakers and code sails optimized for very specific wind speeds and angles.  Cruising spinnakers and code sails are typically designed to be used across as wide a range as possible.  So the thinking when using a cruising off wind sail is very different.  Our goal is to make things a bit easier to understand.

But first a little history. The first code sail, called a “code zero”, debuted during the 1997- 98 Whitbread Race and described an asymmetrical spinnaker that could sail upwind angles. Racing rules limited their design applications and even after a quarter century their design is tortured to meet the racing rules.  Cruising sailors live outside the racing rules so cruising code sails, unchained from these antiquated rules, are much better sails than their racing cousins.

“At Evolution Sailmakers, we’re building a wide range of what we simply call code sails to suit cruising sailors for a wide range of conditions and cruising grounds,” explains Justin Ailsworth, Jerry’s partner at Evolution Sailmakers. “But the most practical code sail for cruisers is an all-purpose one.” (More about them later!) 

So what is the difference between a code sail and an asymmetric spinnaker which is sometimes called a gennaker? Code sails have a cable built into the sail’s luff making them a “straight luff” sail rather than having a more elliptical “projected luff” like a spinnaker. They frequently have a sun or sacrificial cover and are rolled up with a roller furler. A code furler needs to be installed forward or outside of the usual headsail roller furler. Most modern sailboats are designed to accommodate that placement. 

Racing sailors might carry multiple code sails for a variety of wind conditions, but that isn’t practical for cruisers. Evolution’s all-purpose code sail is meant to fly in apparent wind angles (AWA) of 55-120 degrees and under 15 knots of apparent wind speed (AWS). They are usually built of a low stretch laminate or woven material. Cruisers wanting to sail a bit higher upwind - from 45 to 90 degrees - might opt for an upwind code which would have a flatter shape, slightly smaller area, and made of a lower stretch material; downwind codes can sail from 80-130 degrees AWA, are constructed of a woven polyester material, have more sail area and a fuller shape, similar to spinnaker sails. 

Once hoisted, code sails are easier to deploy (just roll them out like a headsail) and don’t need constant trimming like typical asymmetrical spinnakers. The loads on a code sail can be pretty high and usually require sheet trimming with cockpit winches. 

So what’s the biggest challenge in using today’s code sails? “We see and have to repair numerous sails that are damaged in stronger winds,” Jerry says. “Code sails should NOT be flown in any AWS greater than about 15 knots. More than that, you’re asking for problems.”  We use apparent wind rather than true wind to define the limits of our cruising off wind sails, as that is what the sail is feeling.  At a 55  degree AWA, the sail will “feel” 15 knots of apparent wind in about 8-11 true wind speed. Sailing at 120 degrees AWA,  the sail will experience 15 knots of apparent wind in more like 20 knots true.”

Jerry encourages sailors, however, not to be afraid to use them and offers some steps to fly them confidently: 

First: Code sails should be hoisted for the first time in very light air or at the dock. The luff needs lots of halyard tension. If you’re already underway when wanting to use a code, hoist them when on a broad reach with minimum loads. 

Next: Code sails often experience heavier loads than your usual headsail. They can’t be trimmed like a spinnaker, in and out constantly, and need to be sheeted usually with the primary winches. “When in doubt, let it out” still applies! 

Mainsail trim is also important when flying a code sail. Because codes overlap the main, cruisers will want to avoid blanketing them which may mean sheeting the mainsail closer to the centerline on closer angles. Using the vang to induce twist on the top is also helpful. 

Finally: To furl a code, bear off to blanket the sail behind the main and reduce loads by easing the sheet. Pull in the furling line keeping tension on both ends of the continuous furler. Pulling down on the sheet can help here. Code sails can remain raised and furled AS LONG AS YOU’RE ONBOARD and there is no extreme weather in the forecast. But if you leave the boat for any reason for any period of time, it’s wise to take it down. 

Most importantly, Jerry and Justin say it’s important to always consider the apparent wind angle and speed when using a code sail. “Codes are designed with apparent wind and angles in mind,” says Justin.  

Whether you are cruising the Chesapeake Bay or crossing oceans, adding an off-wind cruising sail to your inventory can significantly extend the range of conditions that you can effectively sail.  It is important to think through your specific goals and sail handling options when looking at adding one of these sails.  A cruising asymmetric or cruising code sail is a great next step for many sailors looking to sail more and motor less.

A FINAL NOTE:

At last fall’s SDSA Annapolis dinner, Evolution Sailmakers, located in Deltaville, VA, Hampton, VA and Oriental, NC, offered a silent auction prize of “50 Percent Off the Cost of a New Spinnaker.”  SDSA Member Bruce Wagner of Santa Barbara, CA was the lucky winner!  However, when Bruce reached out to Evolution, he showed the sailmakers his extremely damaged genoa for his Jeanneau 42DS SV Real Soon.  It was apparent Bruce needed a new genoa before a spinnaker.  The Deltaville sailmakers were able to quote him a new 135 genoa at half price, instead of a new spinnaker.  

Thanks to our new SDSA sponsor Evolution Sailmakers, Real Soon will be on the water with a new genoa this spring.

Evolution Sails: evolutionsails.com

Jerry Latell: [email protected]

Justin Ailsworth: [email protected]

Stephanie Sweeney: [email protected]