Broad reaches are, in percentage terms, less frequent than upwind or deep downwind legs. For this reason, many boats do not have adequate sails to cover these points of sails in all wind conditions.
On Mini 650s as well as on Class40s and Imocas the total number of sails is limited. Therefore often compromise solutions have to be found. A Code Zero is often found on Mini 650s and Class40s. This is rigged at the tip of the bowsprit on a reach and at two-thirds for beats or broad beats to bring back the sail centre.
In strong winds both on Mini 650s and on the Class40s we typically find an A5 (with a free leech) or a Code 5 (furtled with an anti-torsion cable). It is a sail suitable for reaching in medium to stronger winds and can be used as a strong wind downwind spinnaker.
During the Global Ocean Race we were allowed an extra sail so we carried a Code 3. This is a much larger furled gennaker than the Code Zero, perfect for reaching in light to medium airs.
Points of sail: reaching
By reaching we mean those points of sail between a broad beat and sailing downwind, about 70-115 degrees to the true wind angle. From 45 to 70 degrees we will talk about a beat and prgressively a broad beat. From 115 to 145 we will talk of a broad reach, between 155 and 160 we’re downwind. Between 160 and 180 you are in the no-go zone of dead downwind where modern boats can’t sail.
Code 3
The code 3 is comparable to a drifter, but it is basically the largest reaching sail we can build for our boat. If we talk about codes then this will be a furling sail on an anti-torsion cable and it is usually made of polyester laminate.
On a reach – Code 3 Gennaker and full mainsail – Pacific Ocean
Solent (genoa)
As the wind increases we are forced to reduce sail and furl the Code 3 which we can keep to about 15-18 knots depending on the true wind angle, after that we need to change down to the genoa. The genoa is called the Solent on a Class40 and on many ocean-going boats. The name comes from a sail used in the English region of the Solent and indicates a sail cut with its foot very close to the deck.
Reaching with the Solent and Mainsail with one reef – 20-22 knots of true wind speed (TWS)
Reaching with Solent and one reef in the main – 25 knots of wind
Broad reaching
When we bear away in light winds we can hoist of our A2 asymmetric Spinnaker quite early on. It depends a lot on its cut, if it is a so-called VMG asymmetric spinnaker it allows us to sail quite hot angles up to 115-120 degrees to true wind angle in light airs.
Asymmetric Spinnaker A2
Masthead Asymmetric Spinnaker A2 and full mainsails – 10-11 knots of true wind speed (TWS)
Code 3
The Code 3 is a sail that usually can be used at angles as high as 75 degrees TWA in light airs. Progressively, bearing awat we can keep it up to 15-20 knots of true wind speed. In stronger winds it is preferable to replace it with a nylon Code 5 that better tolerates abuse.
Gennaker Code 3 and full mainsail – TWA 130 degrees abd 15-20 knots of true wind speed TWS
Code 5
A code 5 is defined a code if it has an anti-torsion cable, otherwise would spead of an A5. Its cut allows to sail higher than we could when using our fractional asymmetric spinnaker A6. We can also use it as a small strong winds spinnaker to go downwind and we could keep it up in 40 knots of true wind speed (TWS) sailing deep.
Sailing higher in strong winds of around 30 knots we have to make a choice. We will have to either bear away if the wind increases or change down to the Genoa. However, if we can play with the wind angle and bear away in the stronger winds and come up as it softens this is a very versatile sail. As soon as we bear away everything calms down, but be careful to keep it up beyond its limit as taking it down can, at times become tricky.
Here we are talking of a furled Code 5 which however still has a roach at its top and it will roll quite badly in strong winds especially on a bottom up traditional furler. If you want to have a safer strong winds small spinnaker you should probably consider an A5 which is easier to handle in strong winds.
Code 5 and mainsails with 2 reefs – TWA 130 – TWS 25 knots
Code 5, Staysail and Main with one reef – Indian Ocean – TWA 125 and 25 knots TWS
Code 5 and mainsail with 2 reefs – TWA 130 – TWS 25 knots
Code 5 e mainsail with 2 reefs – TWA 135 and 30 knots of TWS
