Rigging and sailing a spinniker

[Shepherd]

Hi All,
I'm a pretty new owner/sailer myself, having only one (short) season behind me, and only two outings in the '81 CP-16.  "Indefensible" seems to be pretty much as she left the factory, still original sails, though the previous owner did drill a few holes (VHF, lights, etc) that I kind of wish he hadn't! 
But one thing he provided is a new spinniker, which so far as he knows was never used.  I'd be interested in stories, suggestions, recommendations etc. from those of you with a lot more time in, both sailing and in the CP's in general as far as the use and rigging of this very big piece of fabric!
Thanks - Keith

[Paul]

Welcome Keith,

I'd recommend searching in Dale "Multimediasmith" posts and photo album.  He has some great ideas for set up for spinnakers.

Good luck.

[multimedia_smith]

HI... Welcome... and Happy New Year....!
One of the great things about this forum is the "SEARCH" feature... you can learn a lot from the past archives stored there... I have.
Dale

[B.Hart]

I know I have given Dale at least one +karma for sail advice.  BILL

[rchiare1]

I've searched the archives and the various publications that I have laying around and still know next to nothing about managing a spinnaker.  My CP16 came with a 'cruising' Spinnaker; and from what I can gather it is flown like a Genoa.

The real point of this post though is too ask for some comments on the 6" round disc of material sewn into the center of the belly of the sail. The 'disc' is about 6' below the head of the sail and there is one on both sides of the sail, each disc has a loop of fabric sewn into the middle of it that would allow a line to be run vertically through it. In  my Photo Album "Solo"  http://com-pacowners.com/gallery2/displayimage.php?&pos=-1362 
I have posed two photos of this item.

I would really like to know what it is called and how it is designed to be used.

[B.Hart]

     That is a very good question, I wish I knew the answer. The cruising spinnaker I believe is like a asymmetrical and is flown like a Genoa, If anyone has experience with these please chime in and help educate us all.  BILL