I'm so old that when I used to race on sailboats, we only had symmetric spinnakers, and we used a "turtle" to pack the spinnaker. The turtle was the shape of a stuff bag, but with a relatively stiff wire hoop near the top, to keep the bag round, and it had attachment points for the three corners of the sail, so it worked very much like your box bag. It also had a clip on the bottom, so you could fasten it to an eye on the deck, or a lifeline, or a whatever, to keep it held down while you pulled the sail out with the halyard, and it'd stay on the boat once the kite was flying.
I have one of those bags with the wire rim! It works but I find the box bag is much better. Another good solution is a bag that fits under the companionway or under a hatch, and you launch/douse from there.
We used a modified kitchen garbage can. advantage was the narrowness allowed me to sit on the settee with it between my knees and the sail on the other side of the salon . I could reach around the can, under the sail and gather the material up and stuff it down in with both hands. The corners were folded over the top, clews in and head over the top ...and all held in with a bungee across side to side. The can had line loops on bottom and top corners holding shackles for attachment to the toe rail and top life line. Using this method, I'd follow the doused sail down into the companionway and have the Turtle packed and ready in a very few minutes depending on sea state and so the "comfort level" below. I like the box bag but, can't imagine it down low to the cabin sole and spread wide between my feet.
Lets talk about doing this downstairs in the cabin when the boat is nose diving through upwind waves stuff (empty beer cans) is dislodging underfoot and the skipper is panicking as you are approaching the windward mark for a second set. You as the designated foredeck guy have to run the tapes repack and then rerun the sheets because the rest of the crew wants to sit on the rail smoke cigarellos and give restaurant reviews. Oh, and "if you get a chance can you bring up another round for the boys?"
You're clearly a ticketed member of the Foredeck Union and understand the role very well!!! I'm also a foredecker who in an unusual twist also happens to be skipper, albeit one who prefers somebody else to helm. We also often sail double-handed so I do my re-packing while kneeling in the cockpit with the kite down the companionway while simultaneously looking around for things not to crash into and strategizing about the next move.
It's awesome the good and clear you explain things!
Thanks - glad you think so!
I'm so old that when I used to race on sailboats, we only had symmetric spinnakers, and we used a "turtle" to pack the spinnaker. The turtle was the shape of a stuff bag, but with a relatively stiff wire hoop near the top, to keep the bag round, and it had attachment points for the three corners of the sail, so it worked very much like your box bag. It also had a clip on the bottom, so you could fasten it to an eye on the deck, or a lifeline, or a whatever, to keep it held down while you pulled the sail out with the halyard, and it'd stay on the boat once the kite was flying.
I have one of those bags with the wire rim! It works but I find the box bag is much better. Another good solution is a bag that fits under the companionway or under a hatch, and you launch/douse from there.
We used a modified kitchen garbage can. advantage was the narrowness allowed me to sit on the settee with it between my knees and the sail on the other side of the salon . I could reach around the can, under the sail and gather the material up and stuff it down in with both hands. The corners were folded over the top, clews in and head over the top ...and all held in with a bungee across side to side. The can had line loops on bottom and top corners holding shackles for attachment to the toe rail and top life line. Using this method, I'd follow the doused sail down into the companionway and have the Turtle packed and ready in a very few minutes depending on sea state and so the "comfort level" below. I like the box bag but, can't imagine it down low to the cabin sole and spread wide between my feet.
What I do many times is sit on the stair step with both my feet INSIDE the box bag and use my knees to keep the bag open during packing.
Lets talk about doing this downstairs in the cabin when the boat is nose diving through upwind waves stuff (empty beer cans) is dislodging underfoot and the skipper is panicking as you are approaching the windward mark for a second set. You as the designated foredeck guy have to run the tapes repack and then rerun the sheets because the rest of the crew wants to sit on the rail smoke cigarellos and give restaurant reviews. Oh, and "if you get a chance can you bring up another round for the boys?"
You're clearly a ticketed member of the Foredeck Union and understand the role very well!!! I'm also a foredecker who in an unusual twist also happens to be skipper, albeit one who prefers somebody else to helm. We also often sail double-handed so I do my re-packing while kneeling in the cockpit with the kite down the companionway while simultaneously looking around for things not to crash into and strategizing about the next move.
@@SailingTipsCa Hah. A multitasker. I have led expletive laden labor revolts from the foredeck at times.
@@HughLarkin-dw8dx Isn’t that a requirement for membership in the Foredeck Union?
You need to get onto a different boat!
That was great. I’ll be getting a box bag for mine… Thanks for sharing!
Glad it was helpful! I'm planning to release another video in the next day or two about launching from the box bag!
@@SailingTipsCa I’ll be watching that too… Thanks!
And here's how you hoist/raise from a box-style bag! ruclips.net/video/S_JkbvGLG8Q/видео.html
Random but a video on handling continuous furling line on you trimaran would be great!
@@todddavis6720 Great idea - I'll put that on the list!!!
after sailing more than 10 years, now i know proper way how to pack the spi in the bag.
Nice - glad it was helpful!
Where can I buy it!?
Try your local sailmaker or do a Google search for “Spinnaker Box Bag” for online choices!