Getaway Spinnaker

KeithB, since you haven't bought "the kit" yet, you might consider a different route. The hobie kit isn't really designed for the Getaway and while it works OK, I know I could improve on it and probably save money. For example, there's no reason the pole has to sit WAY OUT THERE...You only really need a couple feet so you have clearance to gybe inside (but with our boats and not racing, there's no reason you can't gybe outside). If you buy a robust (1/8" wall thickness 1.75" diameter T6061 pole about 8 feet long) pole you could easily rig it to attach to the middle center bar and bridle to the front bow spreader. The really nice thing about a robust pole and keeping it short is that you don't have to "stay" the ends (rule of thumb is 2:1; for every 2 feet supported, you can have 1 foot unsupported). If you offset it a little you can miss the front mast rest so you never have to take it off since it won't be longer than the trailer hitch. Then you just have to install eyestrap on the pole and hound on the mast and get a spin to fit that can sheet from the aft beam (any sailmaker can make you one). Simple (ok, yah I know it is simple for me since I've done it before on a few boats). I might do it eventually to my boat, but so far I like the simplicity of the symspin.

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

TpDavis, I'm am getting ready to pull the trigger on a Spin kit for my Getaway. Have u fitted a cat with an asym spin? Have any pics? I'm always interested in saving money. I've seen ur post about the sym spin. Very interesting and helpful.

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2016 Hobie Getaway
1978 Nacra 5.2

No, I haven't fitted my cat with an asymspin. I don't know that I will. But the description above is how I would go about it if I wanted to. Should cost substantially less than the hobie spin kit. The 8 foot pole from online metals is $91; two ratchet blocks and a block for the halyard another 100; various sheets and halyard line another $50; A hound is about 30. You'll need two chainplates that you'll have to bend into angles to fix the pole end to the center bar (or something similar, might look at the hobie part to do that job) (another 50 or so). You'll need a few feet of non stretch line for the bridle (I'd probably try just tying securely to the bow spreader instead of a bridle at first)(10). Various fasteners and sundry (eyestraps) (20). Call it $400 in hardware and running rigging. Then you have to buy a spinnaker and a snuffer. It'd be nice if Hobie would sell the spin and snuffer separate, but if not your local sailmaker may be able to source one as well as build the spin. Those things "should" cost less than $600 total given how small the spin is (as an example, it cost me less than $100 to make my own windseeker, but the sailmakers have to pay labor). Anyway, we spent less than $1000 to fit a WR17 with a 140 sq ft asymspin (which is about the size a Getaway should use)...he didn't need the chainplates and I built the spin for him (he bought the materials for about $150 to make the spin).

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

ok. now I understand. Since the pole is shorter and attached to the fore bow spreader there is no prebend or the extra rigging needed. But doesn't that place the asymspin closer to the water?

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2016 Hobie Getaway
1978 Nacra 5.2

Yes and no...The spin guy (the short line that attaches the spin to the sprit) should be made longer both so you can see under the spin and so it can be sheeted correctly. The sprit itself is a little closer...but it will be further away from the water than the bows so it won't hit the water except if you drive the bows down...then it is a mess anyway. With the snuffer bag mounted on the front tramp, you'll want a guy line about the length of the sprit that extends beyond the snuffer.

The neatest method of snuffing will be to attach the halyard end to the snuffing line (or just use one long line). Similarly, one continuous sheet that goes all around the boat with both ends attached to the spin clew (size it so you can gybe outside). Speaking of gybing outside, the eyestrap on the sprit should be placed about 3 inches or so behind the sprit end...that's so if you decide to gybe outside, the sprit will catch the sheet and keep it from going under the boat.

If anyone lives in N. CA and wants help setting up their boat this way, contact me, I'll help (I'll even build your spin to fit).

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

Darn, I'm in florida. Thanks for the help tp Stay tuned.....

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2016 Hobie Getaway
1978 Nacra 5.2

It is really easy to build your own spinnaker. BUT, you do need a sewing machine...not necessarily heavy duty. I can provide step-by-step instructions on cutting and sizing the panels if anyone wants to "give it a go".

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

I'm interested tp. I have access to a sewing machine and have made seat covers for my RV. I;m sure I could handle it. What material is best?

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2016 Hobie Getaway
1978 Nacra 5.2

3/4 oz nylon is best. https://www.sailmakerssupply.com/produc ... /sailcloth The design I use is typically 2 colors. Two triangle shapes in the top center and two outside triangles that match the bottom color. 5 yards of the top center color. 5 more yards for the outside plus 6 yards of the bottom or 11 yards total for the outside colors.

You will also need 3 yards of dacron for the corner and snuffer reinforcements. Note that they can be in contrasting colors to give the spin some "eye pop". https://www.sailmakerssupply.com/produc ... /sailcloth

If you don't have seamstick, get a roll to hold the edges together while you sew--makes it much easier. https://www.sailmakerssupply.com/catego ... =seamstick

Here's a video of the basic process. This video is for a dacron jib so the material and dimensions are different. for the gores. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQwhRKE ... iKjUYGYw0r

Here's a video of me making my spin for the getaway...the gores will be the same for your spinnaker even though the end result for this spin was a symmetric spin and not an asymspin...different bottoms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdedS1z ... iKjUYGYw0r

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

Wow, That's great! thanks

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2016 Hobie Getaway
1978 Nacra 5.2

Don't hesitate to contact me when you have questions during the process. Start to finish it should take you a weekend to make. This is what it will look like in colors of your choice...

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

That a really sweet looking spin. Do u happen to know the dimensions of the stock asym spin that hobie sells?

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2016 Hobie Getaway
1978 Nacra 5.2

No, I don't know the dimensions of the hobie spin. Someone who has one may have had it measured.

The photo above has a 19' luff, 15.5' leach and about a 13' foot; it fits onto a windrider 17 and is 140 sq ft. The windseeker I just made for my getaway has a 23' luff (masthead); 20' leach and about a 12' foot and is 103 sq ft. You will have to measure from the sprit end to the hound to figure out how much luff you will need; my guess is 20 or 21 feet. That's what I based my suggestions as to how much nylon you need to buy if you are going to build your own spin.

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

I set up one on my Getaway. I bought an asymmetric spin for a vanguard nomad, approx 17 sq mtrs.
I made the pole out of a windsurf mast, Ampro. had to buy snuffer hoop and bag and used double ratchet
blocks, harken 57 auto ratchets are nice for primaries. then halyard and take down set up was next with
3 rings and patches on the sail and an outhaul to front of pole. works well, mostly single handed, doug

That sounds nice and I bet it was half the cost of the hobie kit. That's a pretty huge spin for our boat (183 sq ft); bet it is a handful in a blow! Do you notice a lot of mast wiggle when in use? Where did you put the hound and what is the luff length? With the windsurfer sprit you have to bridle it, right, since that pole is pretty flexible. How do you mount it to the middle bar? How far out does it go past the bows? For one setup a year, I agree, that's a much better way to go.

There really isn't much need for a lot of separation between jib and spin (for example, my bow spreader mounted windseeker gybed just fine--but I do think it will have more trouble tacking; still playing with it). The huge separation is better for sailing with jib and spinnaker flying, but our boat has a furling jib so the need for a huge gap isn't as critical.

Thanks for sharing.

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II