Screacher versus spinnaker on 20' trimaran

[jedkins]

I have a 20' trimaran and trying to make up my mind about a furling screacher versus a spinnaker . Ideally I would like to have a screacher on a bow sprite/prodder about 3' out from the bow. I would like to leave it in place virtually all the time but would like to understand more about the likely windage effect. Also what weight of sail cloth to go for, in the hope I can have something very light that might furl tighter and be less clumsy.

[PI Design]

You might find these links useful:

http://www.northsails.com/north_america/cruising_sails/G0QA.htm

http://www.northsails.com/North_America/Cruising_Sails/SolutionsMissingGenoa.htm

I think the affect of windage will be mimimal if you are cruising - even at trimaran speeds. Obviously, if you are racing and need to extract every ounce of perormance the windage will have a small affect on pointing ability. If you are cruising I would go for the screacher as it is so much simpler to use.

[Doug Lord]

Don't worry about windage- Hydroptere set her most recent record with a furled headsail. The Rave hydrofoil carries a furled screecher.
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edit: info-
Gransegel multihull division
Address:http://www.sailmaker.info/gennaker.html Changed:9:44 AM on Tuesday, November 21, 2006
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Rolly tasker Sails Schreechers - spinnaker and reacher sail combination
Address:http://www.sailsolutions.com.au/screechers.htm Changed:6:17 PM on Saturday, August 11, 2007
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Adding a Screecher to Your Catamaran
Address:http://www.time-for-a-catamaran-adventure.com/catamaran-screecher.html Changed:4:25 AM on Wednesday, August 15, 2007

[Richard Woods]

You didn't say what trimaran you have, nor whether you normally race or cruise.

The screecher is a very specialised sail. It can't normally be used in winds over 15 knots apparent, nor set efficiently with the wind aft of the beam.

I always recommend people first buy a spinnaker (asymmetic or conventional) and later, and only if necessary, get a screecher.

Last year I raced a F31 trimaran with a screecher. It was left up for the first lap and taken down for the second. We were noticeably faster on the second lap relative to other boats. Maybe 100 yards in 3 miles.

If you roll the sail too tight you may damage the fabric.

I would recommend contacting GM Sails in Australia as they are probably your nearest high quality and most knowledgeable multihull sailmakers.

[jedkins]

Thanks for input. I both race and cruise. Boat is a modified version of Kurt Hughes 20' Spitfire with bigger rig and convential tiller plus foot pedal steering option from rear seat. (building method is not CM - rather it is very similar to your Strider building method!)