[Public-List] assymetrical spinnaker again

[Dave Terrell]

Earlier I asked for info on rigging and jibing an assymetrical spinnaker. Thanks much for the responses. Having read your suggestions and consulted several internet sources, I attempted to follow the directions, but definitely failed to understand them. Yesterday afternoon, we could not exectute either an inside or outside jibe with out having fouled lines. I was interested in the inside jibe because I was not excited about the chance of getting the sheets under boat. The water is very cold all year long here and going over board to sort things out was something I did not want to do.
 
That said, we did not give up - here is what finally worked. 
 
We treated the Aspin like a genoa and found that it would fly from about 55 to about 140 degrees apparent. When we jibed the sail,it passed between the forestay and the mast. When I complete the system I will use a tacker and tack the sail inside the forestay. This approach worked well, and the only problem I can see is that the sail could chafe on the shouds as it is jibed. Since the apsin sails well so close to the wind, I even suspect that the sail could be tacked as well. Due to some fouled lines left over from our first attempt, I did not attempt this. I have a vague recollection that I did this successfully on my former boat, the Cal 27.
 
I do not intend to fly the aspin in winds above 12 kts apparent. I follow Beth Leonard's rule on this topic.
 
So, what do you think of this? From every description I have read, our procedure seems very unorthodox, but it does work. I have an experienced sailor friend here in Grand Traverse Bay who does the same thing and in higher winds, I suspect.
 
Am I missing something obvious or doing something really dumb or just pain wrong or even worse - dangerous?
 
All responses will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
Standing by
 
David, 432