Symetric Spinnaker

A large, lightweight, balloon-shaped sail used when sailing downwind, designed with identical halves to allow it to be flown on either side of the boat using a spinnaker pole.

A symmetric spinnaker is a type of downwind sail commonly used on sailing yachts to maximise speed and efficiency when the wind is coming from behind the vessel. It is characterised by its symmetrical shape, meaning both sides of the sail are mirror images, allowing it to be flown on either port or starboard tack with equal effectiveness. The sail is typically made from lightweight nylon and is much larger than the boat’s mainsail or genoa, enabling it to capture more wind when sailing with the breeze.

To deploy a symmetric spinnaker, a spinnaker pole is used to hold the windward corner (the tack) of the sail out away from the boat, while the leeward corner (the clew) is controlled by a sheet. The pole is attached to the mast and can be moved from side to side to accommodate changes in wind direction or when gybing. This setup allows the sail to project fully into the wind, creating a large surface area for propulsion.

Symmetric spinnakers are particularly effective for deep downwind sailing angles, such as dead downwind or broad reach conditions. They require more crew coordination and skill to handle than asymmetric spinnakers, especially during hoisting, gybing, and dousing. Despite their complexity, they remain a popular choice for racing and cruising yachts due to their performance benefits when sailing with the wind directly astern.