Don't you just love jargon. To get the discussion rolling and hoepfully get some suggestions on which is best for your application you might care to look at the diagrams of the three different types described in this Rolly Tasker webpage. You can see the difference in the lower part of the sail. http://www.velasrollytasker.es/tips/mps/d1.html

According to the Rolly Tasker site, "The Full Radial design is the most popular choice and strongest construction. The radial shaped panels fan out from the three corners Head, Clew and Tack and run throughout the sail. The Tri-Radial layout, which has horizontal panels in the middle, is eligible for smaller sails with lower loads. This construction is less expensive in production because it is easier to manufacture and cloth can be used more efficiently."

The answer to your question may well be in defining for yourself what you intend to use it for (racing or cruising and range of wind speed) and therefore knowing what loads it will be under, deciding how large a range of wind angles you want it to handle versus whether you can justify the cost difference for the type of construction.

Datawiz said...

Hi Guys,
My $$$$ pit is a 34ft Catalina. I've decided to get a cruising spinnaker (ie a Gennaker).
F**East Sails have quoted me for Radial Head, Tri or Full Radial cut.
I don't know enough to decide which cut is best for me - so any input on this much appreciated.
Thanks all
Allan.

Contact Tony Bull at Bull sails in Geelong, he is Galatea on these forums. He was having a special on full radial spinnakers made in a stock range of colours and sizes made by CSF a few weeks back. Chinese Sail Factory. Find him on Facebook or here
bullsails.blogspot.com/
You wont get a better sail or deal.

Thanks Ramona for the referral, hope the new genoa is doing the job.
I am contactable on [email protected]. many thanks
I have done a lot of Catalina 34 sails in the past and have the spinnaker sizes on file.
Recent referral for a Catalina 34 Full Radial we did for a client in SA

Hi Tony,

Finally got out on the water yesterday in about 10 knots and up the new kite went!

its magnificent and so easy for a couple of old farts to use

We were doing 6 knots plus in 6 knots apparent at about 120”

Thanks a lot

Lou and Peter

“Ikati”

HaveFun said...
The commercials are fine but what was the informed answer to the question. For the Catalina 33 is it worth the cost of a full radial throughout the sail or will the tri radial with some horizontal strips in the middle do or will just radial at the head with the rest horizontal strips suit?

Go to the North sail page and check out their diagrams.
www.au.northsails.com/SailProducts/CruisingSails/Gennakers/tabid/623/language/en-US/Default.aspx
Hyde sails at http://www.hydesails.com.au/Tri-Radial-Spinnakers-and-Asymmetrics.html
I have 5 spinnakers, mostly radial head. The gennaker is the only one I use which I can manage single-handed. Its a Lee brand [Australian] and its a fairly simple cut. The designs of gennakers have certainly moved on since it was built mainly due to computers. Some of the designs look brilliant and I'm sure a lot is due to marketing.
I would look on eBay and buy a cheapy first and or do some dumpster diving. If you decide to buy Chinese talk to Tony first.

HaveFun said...
I have a North sails gennaker on my Northshore 33 which was therewhen I bought the oat 6 years ago. It hadn't been used and still hasn't although I am planning to start this summer. So I will be interested to see what type of construction it is. If you are planning on using a gennaker with a furling headsail you might consider this nifty accessory from ATN .www.atninc.com/atn-tacker-sailing-equipment.shtml
If anyone has any experience with these tackers I would be interested in feedback as I am considering buying one.

Hey Guys we should hijack this thread to NS 33 spinnakers.

I too have a NS 33.
I have a couple of Spinnakers and also a MPS/Assy which I have yet to take out of the bag.
However this Sunday with a forecast on Port Phillip of 5-10knts I will.
I intend to use the downhaul run through a caribinner attached to the pupit hardware at deck level . This will provide me with a degree of trim at the tack.

I will also attach a lazy sheet long enough to go from the clew to the 'lazy winch' so I can gybe from the cockpit.

I have studied the 'tacker' and thoguh initially impressed I know thing why?

Tony

Thanks for that.

It looks as though I will also rig another caribinner at the top of the piulpit to raise the level.
This will depend on the cut of the assy, the length of the down haul and also the strength of the pulpit!

Ah the joys of single handing in a double handed race, if I don't put up some type of kite I might as well stay in bed.