| I used to own a C&C 26 for which I bought an asymmetric (single luff)
spinnaker (gennaker, flasher, cruising spinnaker, etc). 1.5 oz nylon as
I recall. It wasn't as useful a sail as I hoped it would be. You
couldn't sail within 20 degrees or so of dead downwind -- it would
collapse in the wind shadow of the main. In really light air it would
fly with the main down, although in much of a swell the rolling motion
would cause it to collapse. Close reaching in very light air (less than
5 knots) it was a little better than a 130 genoa. The sailmaker warned
me not to use it upwind in more than 5 knots apparent to avoid permanent
distortion. I did manage to wrap it around the headstay a couple of
times. Not fun.
On my current boat I opted instead for a spinnaker pole to use with jib
or 130 genoa. I can now sail dead downwind to a broad reach wing and
wing with good boat speed. In light air I don't use pole guys for casual
daysailing, though I do in heavier air or bumpy seas. With main and jib
I have had my boat (32 feet, 12000 lbs) surfing downwind using the pole
with no control problems. Wheee!
I would recommend a genoa and a light spinnaker pole (and another reef
in the main).
Alan
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