One of the biggest challenges cruising sailors face is how best to sail downwind with only your white up-wind sails set. The jib bangs against the mast and gets beat up and doesn’t provide much power. You turn on the engine and you then must put up with exhaust blowing across the boat. Neither are very attractive options. For years, UK Sailmakers has taught that cruising spinnakers were the solution to this sailing dilemma, but not everyone has come onboard with that philosophy.
Setting a spinnaker with the aid of a dousing sock still requires someone to go forward to raise the dousing sock and some cruising sails feel leaving the cockpit is a real P-I-A! You can’t set it at the beginning of the sail and just have it “set” until you are ready for it.
The EasyFurl Code D’s straight luff is the reason the sail can be rolled easily. Here the Code D is shown on a Berckemeyer LA28. On this boat,the furler is electric and remotely controlled making the Code D “push-button” easy.
Now there’s a much better alternative!
UK Sailmakers has developed the Easyfurl Code D, a cruising spinnaker that can be pre-set and is easy to release and furl from the safety and comfort of the cockpit. The Easyfurl Code D is a cruising spinnaker with a nearly straight luff that furls from the bottom up, just like a genoa. With a regular, continuous line furler, it’s easier to use than a Stasher system and less expensive than top-down furlers.
The Code D gets its name because its shape, a straight luff and round leech, makes it look like the letter “D.” However, because this cost-effective cruising spinnaker is so easy to furl and unfurl from the cockpit, maybe we should have named it the Code “E.”
Don’t be afraid of cruising spinnakers any longer! Hoist your Easyfurl Code D before leaving the dock or mooring, and then leave it furled until you are ready to sail downwind. When ready, unroll it and cruise in comfort, safety, with speed.
UK Sailmakers has succeeded in developing an asymmetrical spinnaker that performs well from 80-degrees apparent wind angle to nearly dead downwind. It will even fly well wing-on-wing with or without a whisker pole. Thus it is truly an all-purpose sail for cruisers and daysailors. These all-purpose asymmetrical spinnakers are made out of any nylon, which allows you to be creative with colors. If you want to cruise better this summer, talk to your local UK Sailmakers loft for more information on the Easyfurl Code D.
Shown on the right is an X-Drive Carbon Liteskin main and jib and an Easyfurl Code D on an X-Yachts 4(3).
