Sending a spinnaker is always a tricky manoeuvre. It has to be fast enough to reach the masthead before it inflates. Some tricks, such as the spinnaker sock, are there to make our job easier. But this sock, which remains at the masthead throughout the downwind leg, does not favour performance. Regatta sailors prefer to furl the spinnaker with strands of wool.
Wool or elastic strands
The idea is to take a strand of wool which will block the spinnaker all along the sail. When it's time to hoist, a rope is sent up, the strands of wool then break when the spinnaker is tucked in and when the wind picks up in the spinnaker.
It's simple and it works very well. Except that the implementation is long, you have to knot all the strands of wool) and not so ecological, the strands of wool all go in the water when they break.
To avoid tying each strand of wool, some racers use a bucket with a hole in it, to which they attach a series of elastics. The bucket is passed through the halyard stitch and by pulling on the sail, a rubber band is regularly placed over it. It's faster to implement, but it's just as much rubber bands that break off and go into the sea. Not green at all!
A respectful solution for the planet
PROtec Tape, an Italian company distributed in France by XPO, launches a new product: the PROtec SPK. These are small jammers that are fitted along the entire length of the spinnaker line. These small parts made of recycled composite materials can be sewn, screwed or glued to the sail. An installation that does not require passing through a sailmaker. This piece has a V-groove that blocks the wool strand just by winding it onto the button.
This makes for quick implementation (no more knots) and when the strand of wool breaks, it remains attached to the button. He's not going to the sea. Only by lowering the sail and preparing for the next furling operation can it be removed and disposed of conscientiously.
The PROtec SPK is available by box of 8 buttons (48,19 euros TTC). PROtec Tape has even developed a special biodegradable thread spool that fits over the buttons.
