| The Hood Cruising Chute delivers spinnaker-type performance
without the trauma. It has been developed over several years
to give the cruising sailor extra performance and, in light
conditions, close reaching, due to it’s asymmetric
cut.
Now you can forget about the cost and complication of spinnaker
poles and specialised equipment - all that’s required
is a halyard, a sheet and an adjustable tack line.
The Hood Cruising Chute has an LP of 165% of J and is considerably
larger than a full size Genoa, but not as big as a conventional
spinnaker. To improve handling and alleviate some of the
control problems associated with Spinnakers the Hood Cruising
Chute has a narrower, flatter head which also lowers the
centre of power. It’s asymmetric, tri-radial design
exploits the strong warp characteristics of nylon to control
shape and minimise distortion.
Constructed in spinnaker nylon, colour combinations can
be made to individual choice subject, of course, to panel
layout. An approximate guide to cloth weights is:
up to 27 ft - 0.75 oz
27 to 60 ft - 1.5 oz
over 60 ft - 2.2 oz
The Hood Cruising Chute couldn’t be easier to set.
Attach the tack strop to the stem and lead the single sheet
to a block on the quarter; simply head off the wind and
hoist the Hood Cruising Chute in the shadow of the mainsail.
For broad reaching and running the tack is eased up from
the stem. For close reaching it should be hardened down
to create a more Genoa-like sail. These adjustments can
be made manually at the bow, but it is much easier to have
a block at the tack and lead the line aft to the cockpit.
To drop the Hood Cruising Chute, bear off onto a broad
reach and collapse the sail in the lee of the mainsail.
Let the tack go and lower the halyard.
Even gybing is simple - ease the sheet so the sail streams
in front of the bow, walk the sheet round the forestay and
aft to the opposite quarter.
Finally, for even easier handling, the Hood Cruising Chute
can be combined with the Hood squeezer. A sock & fibreglass
bell that simply squeezes the Hood Cruising Chute inside
ready for use next time.
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