Waterlogged kite? © sail-maw

So what goes wrong? © sail-maw

The chute Top of chute is waterproof Bottom is mesh, to allow spinnaker to drain © sail-maw

The chute With the spinnaker up, water entering the chute flows straight out of the mesh bottom half © sail-maw

The chute With the spinnaker in the chute, water flowing into the chute gets trapped in the folds of the sail and adds significant weight to slow the boat down and increases wear to the spinnaker Photo © Bruce Bonar 2006© sail-maw

The chute The boat can be sailed without the spinnaker on board. During tacking, wind can funnel through the chute and make the tack trickier to complete © sail-maw

What is needed? So what is needed? © sail-maw

What is needed? 1. Something to stop water getting trapped in the sail when it is in the chute © sail-maw

2. If possible, something to reduce airflow through the chute when sailing without a spinnaker What is needed? © sail-maw

What is needed? 3. Something that is at least semi- automatic – there are enough ropes to play with already…. … not to mention the other ropes ! © sail-maw

hull spinnaker chute chute mouth rope blocks cleat spinnaker pole So what is the solution? © sail-maw

What is needed? © sail-maw 2009 Solution must be cost-effective to manufacture in small quantities Must be relatively inexpensive compared with other parts of the spinnaker system Must be universal – no more than three sizes to fit 95% of asymmetric dinghies and catamarans Must be brightly coloured – to maximise profile in the dinghy park and on the race circuit Must be easy to fit Should be as compact as possible when packaged for distribution and sale

The invention © sail-maw 2009 Patent number GB ‘Cover for the mouth of a spinnaker chute or sock’ Claims 1. A cover for a sail chute or sock mouth which is automatically operated through movement of the sail’s tack line. 2. A cover according to claim 1 in which the cover is flexible to allow for passage of sail lines and negotiation of obstacles. 3. A cover according to claims 1 and 2 in which the cover is designed to be shipped in folded form. 4. A cover according to claims 1 and 2 in which the central element of the cover is designed to ease disassembly for repair or at end of life. 5. A cover according to claim 1 in which the cover is held against the chute or sock mouth using an elastic device

The invention © sail-maw 2009 Patent number GB ‘Cover for the mouth of a spinnaker chute or sock’ Chute stopper Spinnaker stowed in chute Stopper held in place by elastic to spinnaker tack

The invention © sail-maw 2009 Patent number GB ‘Cover for the mouth of a spinnaker chute or sock’ Chute stopper Spinnaker flying Stopper held securely in place at end of pole Does not interfere with sail

Proof of concept © sail-maw 2009 Proof of concept – worked but not flexible enough

Trials © sail-maw 2009 Early prototype – too flexible

Trials © sail-maw 2009 Prototype 3 – folding version – too fragile

Trials © sail-maw 2009 Prototype 4 – on long-term test

Designs © sail-maw 2009 Packaging design Shown with early ‘folding’ chute stopper prototype Instructions on reverse

Designs © sail-maw 2009 Alternative packaging design Flat design, shown with the latest prototype Instructions on reverse

Designs © sail-maw 2009 Prototype 4 design Chute stopper 30 Prototype 4 design Spar components Scale 1:1 1st May

Questions? © sail-maw 2009 Andy Maw End