Spinnaker launching and/or recovering system and method and a sailboat comprising the spinnaker launching and/or recovering system

Abstract

A method and a spinnaker launching and/or recovering system releasably attachable to the deck or integrated on the deck or into the hull of the sailboat for launching and/or recovering a spinnaker. The spinnaker setting and/or recovering system has a first spinnaker guide member, which is attachable, e.g., to the bow, a bowsprit or is built into the deck near the bow with an opening through which the tack line and/or a retrieval line attached to the clew corner or to the lower luff of an asymmetric spinnaker or retrieval lines attached to the tack corner and the clew corner or to the lower luff of a symmetric spinnaker. Running with the asymmetric spinnaker, tack corner may be taken forward by a second tack line operated from the cockpit. The first and second spinnaker guide members may be connected by a sleeve, e.g., made of textile, or a solid material.

Claims

1. A spinnaker launching and/or recovering system for launching and/or recovering a spinnaker on a sailboat, comprising at least one hull with a deck, a bow and at least one mast extending upright from the deck of the sailboat, wherein the spinnaker setting and/or recovering system comprises: a spinnaker, comprising a halyard line attached to a top corner of the spinnaker, a tack line/sheet and a clew line/sheet attached to respective tack and clew corners of the spinnaker, a first spinnaker guiding member, which comprises a ring member and/or a hatch, and which is releasably attachable to the bow in front or behind the fore stay, a bowsprit or integrated onto or into the deck near the bow, wherein said first spinnaker guiding member comprises an opening for guiding a line attached to a tack corner of the spinnaker and the spinnaker itself during setting and/or recovering thereof, and wherein the spinnaker being recoverable from the tack corner by slacking the halyard line attached to the spinnaker as well as the sheets and simultaneously pulling a line attached to the tack corner of the spinnaker until the spinnaker is recovered in the spinnaker launching and/or recovery system.

2. A method for launching and/or recovering a spinnaker on a sailboat having a hull with, a cockpit, a deck, a bow and at least one mast extending upright from the deck, the spinnaker having a head at a top to which a halyard is attached for raising the head to the top of the mast, said spinnaker also having a tack and a clew corner at a lower end, a tack line/sheet being attached to the tack and a clew line/sheet being attached to the clew, the method comprising launching the spinnaker by pulling the halyard attached to the spinnaker's head and the slacked sheets to raise the spinnaker's head and secure it to the top of the mast and simultaneously slacking the line or lines attached to the tack corner of the spinnaker until the spinnaker is launched out of the spinnaker and/or recovery system, and recovering the spinnaker by slacking the halyard attached to the spinnaker head as well as the sheets and simultaneously pulling the tack corner of the spinnaker until the spinnaker is recovered in the spinnaker launching and/or recovery system.

3. A spinnaker launching and/or recovering system according to claim 1, wherein the spinnaker launching and/or recovering system further comprises at least one second spinnaker guiding member, releasably attachable to the deck, below deck or integrated onto or into the hull, said second spinnaker guide member being positionable closer to the cockpit than the first spinnaker guide member, and where said second spinnaker guide member is intended for guiding the tack line and at least a part of the spinnaker around said first spinnaker after passing through the first spinnaker guiding member.

4. A spinnaker launching and/or recovering system according to claim 1, wherein the spinnaker is asymmetric and comprises a halyard line attached to a top corner of the spinnaker, a tack line and a clew line attached to respective tack and clew corners of the spinnaker, wherein the spinnaker is recovered by slacking the halyard attached to the spinnaker head as well as: the tack line attached to the tack corner of the asymmetric spinnaker until the spinnaker is recovered in the spinnaker launching and/or recovery system.

5. A spinnaker launching and/or recovering system according to claim 1, wherein the spinnaker is symmetric and comprises a halyard line attached to the top corner and a guy line and a sheet as well as a retriever line attached to the respective lower tack and clew corners thereof, Wherein the spinnaker is recovered by slacking the halyard attached to the spinnaker head as well as the sheets attached to the tack and clew corners and simultaneously pulling the retriever line attached to the tack corner of the symmetric spinnaker until the spinnaker is recovered in the spinnaker launching and/or recovery system.

6. A method according to claim 2, wherein the spinnaker is asymmetric and where the asymmetric spinnaker is raised or lowered by using the halyard and the tack line attached to the tack corner.

7. A method according to claim 2, wherein the spinnaker is symmetric and is launched by pulling the halyard attached to the spinnaker's head and the slacked sheets to raise the spinnaker's head and secure it to the top of the mast and simultaneously slacking the retriever line attached to the tack corner of the spinnaker until the symmetrical spinnaker is launched out of the spinnaker and/or recovery system, and recovering the symmetrical spinnaker by slacking the halyard attached to the symmetric spinnaker's head as well as the sheets and simultaneously pulling the retriever line attached to the tack corner of the symmetric spinnaker until the spinnaker is recovered in the spinnaker launching and/or recovery system.

8. A spinnaker launching and/or recovering system according to claim 1, wherein the spinnaker comprises a second tack line attached to the tack corner of the spinnaker.

9. A spinnaker launching and/or recovering system according to claim 1, further comprising one of a roller wheel, a capstan, a ring member, and a carabineer for guiding at least one of the tack line and the spinnaker recovery line from the second spinnaker guide member towards the bow and, via at least one of the tack line and the spinnaker recovery line guiding means back towards the cockpit in an aft area of the sailboat.

10. A spinnaker launching and/or recovering system according to claim 1, wherein the first spinnaker guide member is connected to a sleeve.

11. A spinnaker launching and/or recovering system according to claim 1, wherein the first spinnaker guide member comprises a ring member which is releasably attachable to the deck, the bow or a bowsprit, and wherein the second spinnaker guide member comprises one of a block, a capstan and a roller which is releasably attachable to the deck.

12. A spinnaker launching and/or recovering system according to claim 1, wherein the first spinnaker guide member comprises a hatch in the deck in the vicinity of the bow, in front of or behind a fore stay, and the one or more spinnaker guide members, which comprise block, capstan or roller means, are arranged below deck.

13. A spinnaker launch and/or recovering system according to claim 1, wherein a sleeve with a first spinnaker guide member at the first end is attached to the hatch at the second end for guiding the spinnaker through the hatch and below deck.

14. A spinnaker launching and/or recovering system according to claim 1, wherein one or more helper lines are attached with a top end thereof at approximately a sleeve length up from the leading edge and/or the rear edge of the spinnaker from a lower luff pointing against the top of the sail.

15. A method for launching and/or recovering a spinnaker according to claim 2, further comprising storing the spinnaker in a spinnaker launching and/or recovery means after being recovered and until being launched again.

16. A method for launching and/or recovering a spinnaker according to claim 2, further comprising launching the spinnaker by pulling the spinnaker out of the spinnaker launching and/or recovering system by slacking the tack line and simultaneously pulling the halyard to raise the spinnaker head, and securing the spinnaker head to the top of the mast and pulling at least one sheet to set the spinnaker.

17. A method for launching and/or recovering a spinnaker according to claim 2, further comprising guiding a lower part of the spinnaker through the first spinnaker guide means by pulling at least the tack line and subsequently as the tack corner or the clew corner reaches the cockpit end of the sleeve, recovering a next part of the spinnaker into the sleeve by pulling at one or more helper lines attached with the top end thereof at a sleeve length up the leading edge and/or the rear edge of the spinnaker or elsewhere on the asymmetrical or symmetrical spinnaker.

18. A method for launching and/or recovering a spinnaker according to claim 2, wherein one or more additional helper lines are attached above a first helper line or a first set of helper lines.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a side view of a sail boat, in the present case a yacht, with an asymmetric spinnaker set as known in the art.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a side view of a sail boat, here also a yacht, with a symmetric spinnaker launched for sailing as is known in the art.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a detailed side view of a sail boat, in the present case a yacht, and a first embodiment of the spinnaker launching and/or recovery system reversely attachable to the deck according to the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a detailed side view of a sail boat with an asymmetric spinnaker resting in the spinnaker launching and/or recovery system releasably attachable to the deck according to the present invention, where the spinnaker is secured in the launching and/or recovery system and is ready to be launched for sailing.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a detailed side view of a sail boat with an asymmetric spinnaker and a launching and/or recovery system releasably attachable to the deck according to the present invention, where the spinnaker is partially launched from the spinnaker launching and/or recovery system. Or, it shows the spinnaker partially recovered into the spinnaker launching and/or recovery system.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a side view of a sail boat sailing with an asymmetric spinnaker and a spinnaker launch and/or recovery system releasably attachable to the deck, according to the present invention, where the spinnaker is fully launched for sailing.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a top view of a sail boat with a spinnaker launching and/or recovery system releasably attachable to the deck, according to the present invention, where the spinnaker is fully launched for sailing.

(8) FIG. 8 shows a side view of a sail boat with a spinnaker launching and/or recovery system releasably attachable to the deck, according to the present invention, where a symmetric spinnaker is fully launched for sailing.

(9) FIG. 9 shows a detailed side view of a sail boat with an asymmetric spinnaker fully launched for sailing and a spinnaker launching and/or recovery system according to the present invention built-in to the hull.

(10) FIG. 10 shows a top view of a sail boat with an asymmetric spinnaker fully launched for sailing and an alternative embodiment of a launching and/or recovery system according to the present invention built-in to the hull.

(11) FIG. 11 shows a detailed side view of a sail boat with an asymmetric spinnaker fully launched for sailing and an alternative embodiment of a launching and/or recovery system according to the present invention built-in to the hull.

(12) FIG. 12 shows a detailed top view of a sail boat with an asymmetric spinnaker fully launched for sailing and an alternative embodiment of a launching and/or recovery system according to the present invention built into the hull.

(13) FIG. 13 shows a side view of a sail boat sailing with an asymmetric spinnaker and a variant of the spinnaker launch and/or recovery system, which can be used in smaller boats, reversely attachable to the deck according to the present invention, where the spinnaker is fully launched for sailing.

(14) FIG. 13a shows a side view of a sail boat sailing with an asymmetric spinnaker and a variant of the spinnaker launch and/or recovery system, which can be used in smaller boats, reversely attachable to the deck according to the present invention, where the spinnaker is fully launched for sailing.

(15) FIGS. 14 a & 14b show a side view of a sail boat sailing with an asymmetric spinnaker and a variant of the spinnaker launching and/or recovery system, which can be used in smaller boats, releasably attachable to the deck according to the present invention, where the spinnaker is partly and fully recovered, respectively.

(16) FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of the releasably attachable spinnaker launching and/or recovery system detached from the deck.

(17) FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of the reversely attachable spinnaker launching and/or recovery system detached from the deck, and folded in to the bag.

(18) FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the first spinnaker guide member.

(19) FIG. 18 shows a top view of a sail boat with an asymmetric spinnaker fully launched for sailing and an alternative embodiment of a launching and/or recovery system according to the present invention built in to the hull.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(20) FIG. 1 shows a side view of a sail boat 1, in the present case a yacht, with an asymmetric spinnaker launched for sailing as known in the art.

(21) Throughout the present application a sail boat is explained in relation to a yacht, i.e., a sail boat comprising at least one hull and at least one mast, such as a yacht or a super yacht. The present invention is, however, also applicable on other types of sail boats e.g., catamarans and in certain embodiments also on dinghy type sailboats.

(22) The sailboat comprises at least one hull 2 with a deck 2a and at least one mast 3 which holds the sails when sailing. A boom can be mounted to mast 3 by conventional fittings as are well known. The mast 3 and the boom can support a main sail, not shown, as is likewise well known. The mast 3 can also be provided with stays, where only the fore stay 4 is shown in some of the drawings, to support the mast 3 as is well known in the art.

(23) At least one sail can be an asymmetric spinnaker sail 5 that can be somewhat triangular in shape and is shown fully raised in FIG. 1. The spinnaker 5 comprises a tack corner 11, the lower front corner of the spinnaker 5, which is attached to the bow of the hull 2 in front or behind the fore stay 4 or to a bowsprit 6, e.g., a retractable bowsprit 6 by means of a tack line 12. The clew corner 9, the lower corner of the spinnaker 5, is attached to a sheet 10a which is connected to the leeward aft corner of the boat and which is carrying load, and a lazy sheet 10b (not shown on FIG. 1, see FIG. 7), connected to the windward aft corner of the boat, and which is not carrying load, as is well known in the art. The head 7 of the spinnaker 5 is connected to a spinnaker halyard 8 for hoisting the spinnaker 5 to the top end of the mast 3.

(24) The tack corner 11 of the asymmetric spinnaker may by the tack line 12 be connected to a bowsprit 5a, to the deck 2a of the hull 2 in front of the fore stay 5b, or to the deck of the hull behind the fore stay 5c.

(25) In the latter case, the halyard 8 exits the mast 3 under the fore stay (not shown in FIG. 1)

(26) FIG. 2 shows a side view of a sail boat 1, here also a yacht, with a symmetric spinnaker 5 launched for sailing as is known in the art.

(27) The tack corner 11 of a symmetric spinnaker 5 is attached to the outer end of a spinnaker pole 13 by means of a windward sheet 10b, also named a guy connected to the windward aft corner of the boat. The spinnaker pole 13 is usually attached to the mast 3 in the other end. The clew corner 9 of the spinnaker is attached to a sheet 10a, which is connected to the leeward aft corner of the boat, as described above.

(28) FIG. 3 shows a detailed side view of a sail boat 1, in the present case a yacht, and a first embodiment of the spinnaker launching and/or recovery system releasably attachable to the deck according to the present invention.

(29) A first spinnaker guide member 15 comprises an opening (not shown, see FIG. 17) through which a tack line 12 of the spinnaker and the spinnaker 5 (not shown) itself is intended to be guided during launching and/or recovering thereof. The first spinnaker guide member 15 is e.g., a cylindrical member, a ring member, a funnel shaped member or a polygonal body with a through-going opening.

(30) The first spinnaker guide member 15 is attached to the deck near the bow as shown by a first set of attachment means 15a or alternatively it can be attached to a bowsprit 6. A sleeve 14, e.g., a textile sleeve, or optionally a rigid tube shaped sheath (not shown), connects the first spinnaker guide member 15 and at least one second spinnaker guide member 16.

(31) The second spinnaker guide member 16 is attachable to the deck 2a, or below deck as described further below, and is, e.g., a block, or alternatively a capstan, a roller or the like member which may rotate about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the deck 2a. The second spinnaker guide member 16 is attached to the deck (2a) near the cockpit end and/or near the foot of the mast 3. The second set of attachment means 17 for attaching the second spinnaker guide is, e.g., a bracket or a shackle. The second spinnaker guide member 16, and the bracket or shackle is preferably tied firmly to the deck, e.g., by rope, wires or similar attachment means.

(32) The tack line 12 is here shown attached to the halyard 8. The tack line 12 is drawn through the first spinnaker guide member 15 and the sleeve 14, around the second spinnaker guide member 16 and passes out of the sleeve 14 at the tack line aperture 14a in the bow end area of the sleeve 14. Further the tack line passes the tack line guide means 18 turning it back in the direction of the cockpit area of the boat 21. The tack line guide member 18 is here illustrated as a roller attached to the deck 2a in the range between the bow and the tack line opening 14a. The tack line guide means 18 may alternatively be attached to outer surface of the first spinnaker guide member 15. From the tack line guide means, the tack line is guided towards the cockpit area 21 of the boat, where it is secured.

(33) The tack line 12 and at least part of the spinnaker 5 is intended to be guided around the second spinnaker guide member 16, folding it after passing through the first spinnaker guiding member 15.

(34) The launching and recovering is explained in relation to asymmetric spinnakers and is shown in FIGS. 4-6.

(35) FIG. 4 shows a detailed side view of a sail boat 1 with an asymmetric spinnaker resting in the spinnaker launching and/or recovery system reversely attachable to the deck according to the present invention, where the spinnaker 5 is ready to be launched for sailing.

(36) The tack line 12 is attached to the tack corner 11 of the spinnaker. The tack corner is resting in the sleeve 14 near the tack line aperture 14a of the sleeve 14 in the bow end area of the sleeve. The halyard 8 is attached to the top 7 of the spinnaker which is resting in the sleeve 14 just inside the first spinnaker guide member 15. The sheets 10a, 10b (not shown here) are attached to the clew corner 9 of the spinnaker. The clew corner is resting in the sleeve 14 near the second spinnaker guide member 16.

(37) FIG. 5 shows a detailed side view of a sail boat 1 with an asymmetric spinnaker and a launching and/or recovery system releasibly attachable to the deck according to the present invention. The spinnaker is partially launched from the spinnaker launching and/or recovery system. FIG. 5 also shows the corresponding situation where the spinnaker is partially recovered into spinnaker launching and/or recovery system.

(38) The halyard 8 attached to the head of the spinnaker 7 is pulled, hoisting the sail, the slack of the sheets 10a and 10b attached to the clew corner 9 are pulled, while simultaneously slacking the tack line 12 from the cockpit area. The tack corner 11 of the spinnaker 5 is thus pulled around the second spinnaker guide member 16, as the spinnaker is launched, the halyard pulling it out of the spinnaker launching and/or recovery system through the first spinnaker guide member 15

(39) As can be seen on particularly FIG. 5 there is no risk during launch or recovery that the spinnaker or the sheets lands at the surface of the sea in front of the sailboat, if the crew coordinates the slacking speed of the tack line 12 with the pulling speed of the halyard 8 and the sheets 10a and 10b.

(40) It is clear that slacking 1 meter of the tack line 12 largely must be balanced by pulling the same length of halyard.

(41) During launching the sail, at first the slack of the sheets which is produced as the sail is hoisted is pulled in, in order to avoid that loose lopes of sheet lands in the water. However, when the clew corner 9 reaches the first spinnaker guide member 15, the sheets are slacked until the sail is fully hoisted and the leeward sheet 10a is pulled in to carry load.

(42) In the present invention, the spinnaker is recovered by reversing the launch procedure: Slacking the halyard 8 attached to the spinnaker head 7 as well as the sheets and simultaneously pulling the tack line 12 attached to the tack corner 11 of the spinnaker 5 until the sail is back in the spinnaker launching and/or recovery system, where it is secured simply by taking the slack out of the halyard 8, the tack line 12 and the sheets 10a and 10b.

(43) The system thus uses the lines already used for launching, running and recovering conventional asymmetric spinnakers. Thereby the system can be used for launching and/or recovering a spinnaker on a sailboat with the existing spinnaker and without the need for modifying the existing spinnaker.

(44) FIG. 6 shows a side view of a sail boat 1 sailing with an asymmetric spinnaker and a spinnaker launch and/or recovery system releasably attachable to the deck, according to the present invention, where the spinnaker is fully launched for sailing.

(45) The load of the spinnaker 5 is carried by the halyard 8 and the tack line 12, both of which are secured by conventional means used on sailboats, such as winches 19.

(46) Further the load of the spinnaker 5 is carried by the leeward sheet 10a which is used for trimming the spinnaker for optimal performance.

(47) During sailing, the load of the tack line 12 is carried by the first 15 and second 16 spinnaker guide members, which are attached to the deck 2a by the first set of attachment means 15a and the second set of attachment means 17. Thus, the sleeve 14 itself does not carry any load. Further the load of the tack line 12 is carried by the tack line guide means 18 attached to the deck, and a conventional securing means used on sailboats, such as a winch 19 in the cockpit area 21 of the sail boat.

(48) FIG. 7 shows a top view of a sail boat 1 with a spinnaker launch and/or recovery system reversely attachable to the deck, according to the present invention, where the spinnaker is fully launched for sailing.

(49) The clew corner of the spinnaker 9 is by the leeward active sheet 10a and a block 20 on the leeward aft corner of the deck 2a, connected to a winch 19 in the cockpit area of the sail boat, for trimming the sail.

(50) The clew corner 9 of the spinnaker 5 is further connected to the windward lazy sheet 10b.

(51) The lazy sheet 10b is either passing in front of the tack corner 11 of the spinnaker 5 and the tack line 12, or as shown here it passes between the forestay 4 and the tack line 12 and further on to the windward aft corner of the deck 2a, where a block 20 guides the lazy sheet to a winch 19. The lazy sheet is not carrying load and it is not secured.

(52) The halyard 8 is via the mast 3 guided to the cockpit area 21 where it is secured, e.g., to a winch 19.

(53) The tack line 12 is, via the first 15 and the second 16 spinnaker guide member, and the tack line guide means 18 guided to the cockpit area 21 of the sail boat, where it is secured, e.g., to a winch 19.

(54) FIG. 8 shows a side view of a sail boat 1 with a spinnaker launching and/or recovery system releasably attachable to the deck, according to the present invention, where a symmetric spinnaker is fully launched for sailing.

(55) The system for launching and/or recovering can be used equally well with symmetric spinnakers with only minor adjustments in relation to the procedure described for the asymmetric spinnaker above. The retriever line 22 is attached to the tack corner of the spinnaker 11 or elsewhere low in the spinnaker, and is not carrying load while sailing with the spinnaker.

(56) A second retriever line 22 is mounted to the clew corner or elsewhere low on the spinnaker 11.

(57) When recovering the spinnaker, the retriever line 22 or 22 is pulled and the tack and clew sheets 10a and 10b as well as the halyard 8 are released.

(58) During gybe of a symmetric spinnaker, the tack corner becomes the clew corner and vice versa. The spinnaker pole 13 is moved from the tack corner 11 to the clew corner during gybe, whereby the clew corner becomes the tack corner and vice versa. The symmetric spinnaker may be lowered using either of the spinnaker recovery lines 22, 22. In practice, it appears easier to lower the symmetric spinnaker by pulling the recovery line attached to the clew corner. In FIG. 8, the recovery line 22 is attached to the tack corner while recovery line 22 is attached to the clew corner.

(59) It is clear that pulling 1 meter of the recovery line largely must be balanced by slacking the same length of halyard 8 and sheets 10a and 10b.

(60) FIGS. 9, 10 and 18 show a detailed side view and at top view of a sail boat 1 with an asymmetric spinnaker fully launched for sailing and variations of a spinnaker launching and/or recovery system according to the present invention built-on to or in to the hull.

(61) The first spinnaker guide member 15 is here embodied as a hatch in the bow end area of the deck 2a, preferably in front of the fore stay 4, or behind the fore stay in FIG. 18. At least one second spinnaker guide member 16a-16d here illustrated by 3 or 4 blocks and/or rollers 16a-16d, are provided below deck 2a. The hatch 15 is preferably provided with a cover 21, which covers the hatch 15, when the spinnaker is stored below deck 2a. The spinnaker 5, here illustrated by an asymmetric spinnaker, is set for sailing in FIGS. 9-10 and 18. The tack line 12 is passed through the hatch 15 and passes the second spinnaker guide members 16a-16d. The first of the blocks/rollers 16a is provided below deck towards the cockpit, the second of the blocks/rollers 16b is provided below deck towards the bow end, the third of the blocks/rollers 16c is provided below deck towards the cockpit etc.

(62) The tack line 12 may be guided to a pulling and slacking means 19 below deck, such as motorized capstans or winches or similar means conventionally used in connection with motorized means for pulling and slacking lines on yachts, e.g., halyards, or sheets, which may be operated by a single person positioned in the safety of the cockpit or the hull.

(63) The spinnaker 5 is recovered as described above, by pulling the tack line 12 and slacking the halyard 8 and the sheets 10a and 10b whereby the spinnaker 5 is pulled through the hatch 15 and around the one or more second spinnaker guide members 16a-16d until the head of the spinnaker 7 is pulled through the hatch 15. Launching the spinnaker is performed by reversing the actions of pulling and slacking as already explained above.

(64) Folding the spinnaker several times using a number of second spinnaker guide means 16a, 16b, 16c on or below deck as shown, enables storage of even a very large or even an extremely large spinnaker 5 in a very limited space, while keeping the spinnaker ready for repeated launch and recovery.

(65) Further the use of motorized means for pulling and slacking lines make it possible for a single person to operate a very large spinnaker on yachts, such as super yachts.

(66) FIGS. 11 and 12 show a detailed side view and at top view of a sail boat 1 with an asymmetric spinnaker fully launched for sailing and an alternative embodiment of a launching and/or recovery system according to the present invention built-on to or in to the hull.

(67) A partial sleeve 14 with a first spinnaker guiding member 15 is attached to the hatch 15. The sleeve 14 and the first spinnaker guiding member 15 are stored below the cover 21 of the hatch 15 when the spinnaker 5 is not in use. The first spinnaker guiding member 15 is attached to the bow or in particular to a bowsprit 6 (not shown in FIG. 11) as described above. Once the first spinnaker guiding member 15 is attached to the bow, the launching and/or recovery of the spinnaker can be performed as described for the built-in version above.

(68) FIG. 13 shows a side view of a sail boat 1 sailing with an asymmetric spinnaker and a variant of the spinnaker launch and/or recovery system, which can be used in smaller boats, releasably attached to the deck according to the present invention, where the spinnaker is fully launched for sailing.

(69) The variant comprises a first spinnaker guiding member 15 attached to a sleeve 14. The sleeve's 14 other end is attached to a bag 23. The first spinnaker guide member 15 is attached to the deck 2a near the bow as shown by a first set of attachment means 15a or alternatively it can be attached to a bowsprit 6.

(70) The tack corner 11 of the spinnaker 5 is attached to the tack line 12, which is drawn through the first spinnaker guide member 15, the sleeve 14 and the bag 23 to a winch 19 or other means for pulling, slacking and/or securing lines on boats in the cockpit area 21 of the boat.

(71) The bag 23 is attached to the deck 2a in front of the winch 19.

(72) The load of the tack line 12 is carried by the first spinnaker guide member 15 and the winch 19. or, for sailing, the load carried by the first spinnaker guide member 15 may be taken over by a second tack line 12a bringing the tack corner 11 of the spinnaker forward to the bow or to the bow sprit. A second tack line 12a bringing the tack corner of the spinnaker forward to the bow or to the bow sprit 6 maybe used when the first spinnaker guide member is placed on the foredeck behind the forestay 4 as shown, or a less advanced position as such.

(73) Taking the tack corner of the spinnaker forward to an advanced position, away from the first spinnaker guide member placed in a less advanced position, increases the efficacy of the spinnaker, since it escapes the turbulence created by the other sails of the boat.

(74) The variant of the spinnaker launch and/or recovery system may be built onto or into the hull of the boat.

(75) FIG. 13a shows a side view of a sail boat 1 sailing with an asymmetric spinnaker and a variant of the spinnaker launch and/or recovery system, which can be used in smaller boats, releasably attached to the deck according to the present invention, where the spinnaker is fully launched for sailing.

(76) The variant comprises a first spinnaker guiding member 15 attached to a sleeve 14. The sleeve's 14 other end is attached to a bag 23. The first spinnaker guide member 15 is attached to the deck 2a near the bow as shown by a first set of attachment means 15a

(77) The tack corner 11 of the spinnaker 5 is attached to the tack line 12, which is drawn through the first spinnaker guide member 15, the sleeve 14 and the bag 23 to a winch 19 or other means for pulling, slacking and/or securing lines on boats in the cockpit area 21 of the boat.

(78) The tack line 12 is preferably not carrying load.

(79) The bag 23 is attached to the deck 2a in front of the winch 19.

(80) The load of the tack corner of the sail is not carried by the first spinnaker guide member 15 and the winch 19. For sailing, the load is carried by a second tack line 12a bringing the tack corner 11 of the spinnaker forward to the bow or to the bow sprit 6, as seen in FIG. 13a. A second tack line 12a attaches the tack corner 11 of the spinnaker 5 to the bow or to the bow sprit 6. The second tack line 12a is used when the first spinnaker guide member 15 is placed on the foredeck behind the forestay 4, or a less advanced position as such.

(81) By attaching the tack corner 11 of the spinnaker in an advanced position, in front of the first spinnaker guide member 15 placed in a less advanced position the efficacy of the spinnaker increases, since the spinnaker escapes the turbulence created by the other sails of the boat.

(82) A helper line 5a is attached a sleeves length up the leading edge (tack of an asymmetric spinnaker) of the spinnaker. Similarly, a second helper line 5b may be attached to the rear edge (clew) of the spinnaker.

(83) The leading helper line 5a is preferably also attached to the lower corner on the leading edge of the spinnaker, i.e., the tack corner 11 in FIG. 13a. The upper end of the leading helper line 5a is attached near the leading edge of the spinnaker 5. Similarly, the rear helper line 5b is preferably also attached to the clew corner 9 and along the rear edge of the spinnaker 5 or if a retrieval line is attached to the lower luff, a luff helper line may be placed in the sail from the lower luff pointing up against the top of the sail.

(84) The attachment means are conventional attachment means for attaching lines to a sail and may, e.g., comprise a strap, a ring member, or similar means attached to the lower corner area of the spinnaker and at approximately one sleeves length up the spinnaker near the edge of the spinnaker. The helper line is, e.g., tied to the strap or ring member or attached by hooks. Alternatively, ends of the helper line(s) are permanently attached to the spinnaker, e.g., by attaching a patch over the end of the helper line 5a, 5b or similar means conventionally used in sail making.

(85) Pulling in the additional (set of) helper line or lines 5a,5b as the spinnaker is lowered, will bring another sleeves length of the spinnaker into the sleeve 14.

(86) If needed, e.g., when using large spinnakers, one or more additional upper helper lines or sets of helper lines (not shown) may be attached above the first set of helper lines with the top end of the helper line at a distance corresponding to approximately a sleeves length above the lower (set of) helper lines 5a, 5b.

(87) A similar system of helper lines as shown on FIG. 13a may be used when a symmetric spinnaker is used with this simplified system.

(88) FIG. 14a shows a side view of a sail boat 1 sailing with an asymmetric spinnaker 5 and a variant of the spinnaker launch and/or recovery system, which can be used in smaller boats, releasably attachable to the deck 2a according to the present invention, where the spinnaker 5 is partly recovered. The first spinnaker guiding ring member 15 may be attached to the deck or the bowsprit 6 in front of the fore stay (not shown). Alternatively, first spinnaker recovery ring member 15 may be attached to the deck or the bowsprit or behind the fore stay 4 (as shown in FIGS. 13 & 14), to allow the spinnaker to be raised and/or recovered from behind the fore stay 4.

(89) When recovering the spinnaker 5, the tack line 12 is pulled in, simultaneously the halyard 8, the optional second tack line 12a and the sheets 10a and 10b are slacked. When the tack corner 11 of the spinnaker 5 reaches the bag 23, the tack line 12 (or either of the tack or clew recovery lines 22, 22, see FIG. 8, in case a symmetric spinnaker is in use) is secured, e.g., to the winch 19, and the rest of the spinnaker is pulled into the spinnaker launch and/or recovery system by hand, and secured in the bag 23 (see FIG. 14b). Pulling the remaining part of the spinnaker 5 is done either by grasping the fabric of the spinnaker 5 through the open bag 23, while standing or sitting near the bag 23 in the area of the cockpit 21, or by pulling in the lower helper line 5a and possibly the following upper helper line or lines by hand, by hand using a winch or by pulling and slacking means, such as motorized capstans or winches or similar means conventionally used in connection with motorized means for pulling and slacking lines on yachts, e.g., halyards, or sheets, which may be operated by a single person in the safety of the cockpit or the hull. The spinnaker 5 is preferably removed from the sleeve 14 when not in use, e.g., by packing the spinnaker into the bag 23. This is done for security reasons, especially during hard wind or similar difficult sailing conditions.

(90) FIG. 14b shows a side view of a sail boat 1 sailing with an asymmetric spinnaker 5 and a variant of the spinnaker launch and/or recovery system, releasably attachable to the deck 2a according to the present invention, where the spinnaker is fully recovered. The spinnaker 5 rests in the cockpit end of the sleeve 14, here shown as a bag 23. The spinnaker 5 is secured in the bag by the tackline 12 and the helper lines 5a. The second tackline 12a the halyard 8 and the sheets 10a, 10b are resting. The spinnaker 5 is ready to be launched again.

(91) The spinnaker 5 is launched by reversing the procedure.

(92) FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of the spinnaker launch and/or recovery system as shown in FIGS. 3-8, which is detached from the deck.

(93) The first spinnaker guide member 15 is attached to the sleeve 14. In the rear end of the sleeve a bag 23 is holding the second spinnaker guide member 16.

(94) The line of the first set of attachment means 15a and the line of the second attachment means 17 are loose.

(95) The head 7 of the spinnaker 5 is resting in the aperture of the first spinnaker guide member 15. The clew corner 9 of the spinnaker 5 is resting in the spinnaker launch and/or recovery system near the second spinnaker guide member 16. The tack corner 11 of the spinnaker 5 is resting in the sleeve 14 near the tack line aperture 14a

(96) FIG. 16 shows the embodiment of the spinnaker launch and/or recovery system as shown in FIGS. 3-8, which is detached from the deck, and the spinnaker launch and/or recovery system is packed into the bag 23.

(97) For storing the detached spinnaker launch and/or recovery system is folded into the bag 23. The bag 23 is designed to hold the spinnaker launch and/or recovery system as it is shown in FIG. 15.

(98) FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the first spinnaker guide member 15.

(99) The first spinnaker guide member 15 may be ring suitable for easy passage of the tack line 12 and the spinnaker 5 through the central aperture. The ring may be grooved on the outside. The groove may anchor the first set of attachment means 15a.

(100) The ring 15 will carry the load of the tack line 12, which is considerable. The ring 15 may be produced in a light and strong material such as a carbon fiber reinforced resin material or metals, such as steel, or a combination of materials, e.g., composites.

(101) FIG. 18 shows a detailed top view of a sail boat 1 with an asymmetric spinnaker fully launched for sailing and a variation of a spinnaker launching and/or recovery system according to the present invention built-on to or in to the hull.

(102) The first spinnaker guide member 15 is here embodied as a hatch in the bow end area of the deck 2a, behind the fore stay. At least one second spinnaker guide member 16a-16d here illustrated by 4 blocks and/or rollers 16a-16d, are provided below deck 2a. The hatch 15 is preferably provided with a cover 21, which covers the hatch 15, when the spinnaker is stored below deck 2a. The spinnaker 5, here illustrated by an asymmetric spinnaker, is set for sailing. The tack line 12 is passed through the hatch 15 and passes the second spinnaker guide members 16a-16d. The first of the blocks/rollers 16a is provided below deck towards the cockpit, the second of the blocks/rollers 16b is provided below deck towards the bow end, the third of the blocks/rollers 16c is provided below deck towards the cockpit etc.

(103) The tack line 12 may be guided to a pulling and slacking means 19 below deck, such as motorized capstans or winches or similar means conventionally used in connection with motorized means for pulling and slacking lines on yachts, e.g., halyards, or sheets, which may be operated by a single person positioned in the safety of the cockpit or the hull.

(104) The spinnaker 5 is recovered as described above, by pulling the tack line 12 and slacking the halyard 8 and the sheets 10a and 10b whereby the spinnaker 5 is pulled through the hatch 15 and around the one or more second spinnaker guide members 16a-16d until the head of the spinnaker 7 is pulled through the hatch 15. Launching the spinnaker is performed by reversing the actions of pulling and slacking as already explained above.

(105) Folding the spinnaker several times using a number of second spinnaker guide means 16a, 16b, 16c on or below deck as shown, enables storage of even a very large or even an extremely large spinnaker 5 in a very limited space, while keeping the spinnaker ready for repeated launch and recovery.

(106) Further, the use of motorized means for pulling and slacking lines makes it possible for a single person to operate a very large spinnaker on yachts such as super yachts.