Asymmetric Spinnaker

A lightweight, curved downwind or reaching sail with dissimilar luff and leech edges.

Its tack is secured forward, often on a bowsprit, while the clew is controlled by sheets and the head by a halyard. Unlike a symmetric spinnaker, it is not normally squared back with a conventional pole and cannot simply be reversed edge-for-edge.

Different cuts cover light-air reaching through broad downwind angles. Hoists, gybes and drops require coordinated handling, adequate sea room and control of sheets, tack line and sail cloth.