Packing the Spinnaker in a Chute or a Pouch

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Chute

It is important that the spinnaker is packed correctly in its chute or pouch, bag, or locker before the boat goes afloat. It must be packed without twists, or it will be difficult for the crew to set the sail when it is hoisted.

Chute packing procedure

Before you go afloat, attach the halyard, sheets, and downhaul to the spinnaker and hoist the sail to make sure it not twisted. Pull on the downhaul as you lower the spinnaker so that the sail is drawn into the chute. Keep pulling steadily until all the spinnaker has disappeared completely into the mouth of the chute. Take all the slack out of the halyard and the sheets and cleat them.

Pouch packing procedure

If possible, the best way to do this is to hoist the sail while the boat is ashore or moored and then lower it into the pouch or locker. To do so, pull down one luff and pack it into the pouch then gather in the rest of the sail until the three corners lie on top of the sail bundle.

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Darrell Nicholson
Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him at darrellnicholson.com.