Spinnaker Peels
by Evan Gomberg
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Description:
The Term “Peel” describes crew work to change one head sail for
another without going “Bald Headed”, i.e., with no head sail.
The are several reasons to change head sails all urgent in nature in the
racing
environment. The wind is stronger than the sail can handle, and if the sail
isn’t
changed, sometimes very quickly, it will literally blow to pieces.
The wind has lightened up to the point that the sail cloth is to heavy
for the sail to stay “Full”. A lighter weight sail is
required. In this case time is of the essence to remain competitive
in the race
Conditions and/or race tactics have changed and the headsail that’s
up is the wrong shape for the new situation. Again, time is of the essence
to remain competitive in the race.
This section will address Spinnaker Peels specifically. While the written
process description seems lengthy, a crack crew should be able to complete
a Peel within a couple minutes of the order being given. Speed will come
with practice and communication. Getting the basics down is the first step.
Terms:
| Chute / Kite | Slang for Spinnaker |
| Inside Hoist | Raising a new chute inboard of the current flying chute |
| Outside Hoist | Raising the new chute outboard of the current chute |
| Foredeck Stripper Line | A line attached at the bow to serve as a surrogate for the Afterguy |
| Stripper Leash | A line attached to the line trimming the chute to be doused or “Old” chute. The leash ensures the chute being doused can be brought in efficiently |
| Working Sheet or Afterguy |
Line actively in use to trim the spinnaker |
| Lazy Sheet or Afterguy |
Line not being used on the current jibe. Will be used for the next jibe |
| Strip | Taking down or “Dousing” a spinnaker |
Outside Hoist
Vs. Inside Hoist
There are some advantages to hoisting the new chute “outside” of
the existing chute:
1. The helmsman can get back on a proper course sooner
2. The new chute can be trimmed correctly sooner
3. The Spinnaker Pole need not come into hard contact with the Headstay
4. Getting the Old chute down will be easier
Why do an Inside hoist?
The configuration of the halyards dictates an inside hoist is required.
(If an outside hoist were performed, the halyards can pinch each other
at
the top of the mast making a take down difficult or impossible without
extreme action).
Halyard Configuration
- Rule of thumb: Halyard on same side as hoist = Foredeck choice outside
or inside hoist.
- Opposite side’s halyard usually means inside hoist is required
to not cross the halyards.
- Depending on how things were done, if the opposite side’s halyard
is clear, and will remain clear after the hoist, an outside hoist can
be performed with the opposite side’s halyard.
- If the jibe that a peel will be performed on is known / anticipated,
a savvy foredeck man can select the initial halyard to use that will
set the foredeck up for a preferred hoist peel later in the race. It
is common practice to use the opposite side’s halyard for the
initial hoist to setup for an outside hoist.
Outside Hoist / Inside Take Down
Setup to Peel- Outside Hoist:
1. Tactician Calls out: “We need to Change the Spinnaker to ____ oz.”
2. Foredeck team determines “Outside” Vs. “Inside” hoist
and lets the cockpit team know the plan (these instructions for outside.
Go to next section for inside hoist)
3. Foredeck team rigs new spinnaker / “chute” on the same side
as the current chute.
4. Cockpit team switches to trimming current chute from the lazy afterguy.
5. Foredeck team attaches the now slack working sheet to the new spinnaker
on deck.
6. Foredeck team passes the new halyard over the line trimming the current
spinnaker and attaches it to the new chute to facilitate the outside hoist.
7.
Foredeck
Team attaches “Stripper Leash” to the line trimming the current
spinnaker.
8. Helmsman steers to a deep beam reach. During peel, the helmsman helps
trim the chutes using the helm.
9. Cockpit team eases pole forward and down so foredeck team can attach the
Foredeck Stripper Line to the current spinnaker. Foredeck team calls out “Stripper
Made!” when the stripper is attached.
10. After the stripper line is “made”, the Cockpit team eases
all tension on the working afterguy to provide slack to the foredeck team.
11. Foredeck team detaches the now slack afterguy from the “current” spinnaker
and attaches it to the new chute and calls out “Ready for Hoist!”
12. Cockpit Team Levels Pole and gets ready for the hoist.
13. Cockpit team designates a “New Chute Trimmer” that will trim
the new chute using the Sheet attached to the new chute. The “New Chute
Trimmer” does not trim in until the new chute is all the way
up.
14. Mast makes ready to hoist new chute
The “Hoist”
1. Foredeck-man calls out “Ready to hoist new chute?” Aft Teams
respond “Ready”
2. Foredeck hoists new chute with cockpit team triming the afterguy as in
a normal hoist.
3. When chute is all the way and the halyard is secure on deck, Foredeck-man
calls out: “Made!”
4. Cockpit Trims the new sail. Helmsman steers proper course
The “Inside Strip” /
Douse (Following Outside Hoist)
1. All available hands go up to foredeck and one into the “sewer” to
assist with strip of old spinnaker. Most or all the cockpit crew will need
to stay in their positions.
2. A Mastman makes ready to lower the old chute’s halyard.
3. A second Mast-man, and others, take up tension on the “Strip Leash”.
4. When the Mast-man / crew on the strip leash is ready, they call out: “Ready
to Strip!”
5. The Foredeckman Releases / “Spikes” the old chute from the
foredeck stripper line and then helps to bring in the chute.
6. The halyard and “Lazy” Afterguy are eased and the sail is
dropped down the forward hatch.
7.
The strip team pulls in on the strip leash as the Lazy Afterguy is eased
as required to bring in the chute.
8. When the strip team is ready, they call “Lower the Chute!” The
person on the halyard lowers the chute as fast as the team can pull it in
being careful not to drop it in the water.
Following “the
Strip”
1. Halyard is secured forward on the bow to ensure it will be clear for the
next peel if a jibe is performed.
2. Lazy Afterguy is hooked up to the “New / Current” chute
3. Determine / predict next drill, jibe, douse, etc..
4. Stripped chute is repacked ASAP
Inside Hoist / Outside Take Down
Setup to Peel- Inside Hoist
1. Tactician Calls out: “We need to Change the Spinnaker to ____ oz.”
2. Foredeck team determines “Outside” Vs. “Inside” hoist
and lets the cockpit team know the plan
3. Foredeck team rigs new spinnaker / “chute” on the same side
as the current chute.
4. Cockpit team continues trimming current chute on the working spinnaker
sheet and afterguy. Maintain focus on current chute.
5. Cockpit team designates a “New Chute Trimmer” that will trim
the new chute using the lazy afterguy attached to the new chute. The “New
Chute Trimmer” does not trim in until the new chute is all the way
up.
6. Foredeck team attaches
the lazy afterguy and the foredeck stripper line to the new spinnaker on deck
7. Foredeck team attaches the new halyard to the new chute to facilitate the
inside hoist under the current chute.
8. Foredeck Team attaches “Stripper Leash” to the line trimming
the current spinnaker. The stripper leash is to be led over the lazy afterguy.
9. Mast makes ready to hoist new chute
10. Foredeck man makes sure everything is ready, then calls out “Ready
for Hoist!”
The “Hoist”
1. Helmsman steers to a deep beam reach. During peel, the helmsman helps
trim the “New” chute using the helm. Helmsman continues on a
deep beam reach until the old chute is stripped and new chute is attached
to the
afterguy.
2. Foredeck-man calls out “Ready to hoist new chute?” Aft Teams
respond “Ready”
3. Foredeck hoists new chute. When chute is all the way up and the halyard
is secure on deck, Foredeck-man calls out: “Made!”
4. Cockpit team trims the new chute from the lazy afterguy and continues
to trim the old chute from the working sheet & afterguy. Both chutes
are flying.
The “Outside Strip” /
Douse (Following Inside Hoist)
1. All available hands go up to foredeck and one into the “sewer” to
assist with strip of old spinnaker. Most or all the cockpit crew will need
to stay in their positions.
2. A Mastman makes ready to lower the old chute’s halyard.
3. A second Mast-man, and others, take up tension on the “Strip Leash”.
4. Cockpit team eases pole forward and down so foredeck team can “Spike”/
release the old chute from the working afterguy.
5. When the foredeck-man is ready for the release, he calls out to the crew “Ready
for the Strip?” The aft teams respond with “Ready!” Foredeck-man
Spikes the old chute.
6. Simultaneous Crew Actions During the Strip:
Cockpit Team:
Working Afterguy Trimmer eases all tension on the working afterguy to provide
slack to the foredeck team to attach it to the New Chute.
Working Sheet Trimmer eases the working sheet attached to the old chute as required
to allow the mast crew to pull in the old chute. The end of the sheet needs to
get to the foredeck hatch.
New Chute Trimmer continues to trim new chute from the lazy afterguy.
Mast Team:
Strips / lowers the old chute pulling it into the foredeck hatch using the Foredeck
Stripper Leash.
Foredeck-man:
Attaches working afterguy to the new chute
7. Getting Ready to transfer the New Chute from the foredeck stripper line to
the
working afterguy:
Cockpit Team:
Working Afterguy Trimmer takes up tension on the working afterguy, now attached
to the new chute, but does not pull to hard against the head stay.
A grinder is positioned on the working afterguy to grind in as soon as the foredeck
striper line is spiked / released.
Topping Lift Trimmer stands ready to raise pole
Foredeck-man:
Calls out to the cockpit crew “Ready for Spike?” – Cockpit
crew calls out “Ready” when the working afterguy trimmer and grinder
are ready for the transfer.
Mast Team:
Gets ready to raise inboard end of pole.
8. Quick actions by foredeck-man and cockpit team team to transfer the new chute
to the pole:
- Foredeck-man spikes / releases the foredeck stripper line.
- Working afterguy trimmer and grinder immediately trim the new chute to the
end
of the pole and off the headstay.
- Topping Lift Trimmer raises outboard end of pole
- Mast Team raise inboard end of pole to correct height.
9. Helmsman steers proper course
Following the strip
1. Halyard
is secured forward on the bow to ensure it will be clear for the next peel
if a jibe is performed.
2. Lazy Afterguy is hooked up to the “New / Current” chute
3. Cockpit team transfers trimming to the working spinnaker sheet.
4. Determine / predict next drill, jibe, douse, etc..
5. Stripped chute is repacked ASAP
