Sailing Florence · video

What this video covers

Handling an asymmetric spinnaker on an Oyster Heritage 37 requires specific techniques for hoisting, trimming, and dropping to maintain control in varying wind conditions. To hoist, the crew bears away to 160 degrees apparent wind to hide the sail in the mainsail’s wind shadow, preventing it from filling prematurely.2:46 Once hoisted in its sock, they head up to 120 degrees to deploy.3:24 For downwind sailing deeper than 120 degrees, the crew attaches the tack to a spinnaker pole to pull the sail out of the mainsail's shadow, allowing for angles up to 155 degrees.4:48 A tweaker line on the sheet stabilizes the sail in rolling seas.7:01 When dropping, the crew again bears away to 160 degrees to depower the sail.8:53 Running the sock downhaul through a ratchet block secured to a bow cleat prevents the sail from pulling the crew off the foredeck during the retrieval.9:35 The crew limits spinnaker use to under 15 knots of apparent wind and initiates drops before reaching 20 knots.8:02

Boats in this video

More from Sailing Florence

Sailing the WILD EAST | Sailing Florence in the Baltic Ep.241Oct 2026Latvia & Estonia by Sail | Sailing Florence in the Baltic Ep.240Sept 2026Trouble at Sea? Sailing Past Russia | Sailing Florence in the Baltic Ep.239Sept 2026Russian GPS Interference? | Sailing Florence in the Baltic Ep.238Aug 2026

From Sailing Florence — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.