How to Douse a Spinnaker

Often called a "chute," or "kite," the spinnaker is a large, colorful sail flown forward of the boat when sailing downwind. Primarily used for racing, the Harvey Mudd College Sailing Club says the spinnaker gets its name from the first boat known to sail the spinnaker, the "Sphinx." This sail became known as "Sphinx's acre," eventually shortened to spinnaker. Spinnakers are rounded triangle-shapes, attached to the boat at the top and the two bottom corners. Also, a spinnaker pole is attached to the mast and one of the spinnaker's lower corners, depending if the boat is tacking or jibing. Dousing a flying spinnaker is quick and simple, provided two people are present and the task is prepared for beforehand.

Things You'll Need

  • Spinnaker
  • Five-gallon bucket
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Instructions

    • 1

      Send a crew member just forward of the mast with the five-gallon bucket. This crew member needs to get hold of the spinnaker pole and unhook it from both the sail and the mast. When the pole is out of the way, the crew member needs to get hold of both spinnaker lower corners to prevent them from flying away when the guy lines are loosened.

    • 2

      Loosen the two spinnaker guy lines from the cockpit. The guy lines are normally cleated on both sides of the cockpit, a line for each spinnaker corner. Begin by loosening them enough so the forward crew member can get hold of both ends completely and place them inside the five-gallon bucket.

    • 3

      Douse the spinnaker. When the crew member gathers the bottom of the spinnaker inside the bucket, move to the mast and unfasten the spinnaker halyard from the mast cleat by uncoiling it. Once loose, lower the spinnaker halyard while the other crew member collects the sail into the bucket. The spinnaker is now doused.

    • 4

      Stow the spinnaker bucket, pole and lines properly, then place them below deck.