1. Waterlogged kite? © sail-maw 2009 040209

2. So what goes wrong? © sail-maw 2009 040209

3. The chute Top of chute is waterproof Bottom is mesh, to allow spinnaker to drain © sail-maw 2009 040209

4. The chute With the spinnaker up, water entering the chute flows straight out of the mesh bottom half © sail-maw 2009 040209

5. 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 2009 040209

6. 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 2009 040209

7. What is needed? So what is needed? © sail-maw 2009 040209

8. What is needed? 1. Something to stop water getting trapped in the sail when it is in the chute © sail-maw 2009 040209

9. 2. If possible, something to reduce airflow through the chute when sailing without a spinnaker What is needed? © sail-maw 2009 040209

10. 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 2009 040209

11. hull spinnaker chute chute mouth rope blocks cleat spinnaker pole So what is the solution? © sail-maw 2009 040209

12. 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 040209

13. The invention © sail-maw 2009 Patent number GB2441521 ‘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. 040209

14. The invention © sail-maw 2009 Patent number GB2441521 ‘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 040209

15. The invention © sail-maw 2009 Patent number GB2441521 ‘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 040209

16. Proof of concept © sail-maw 2009 Proof of concept – worked but not flexible enough 040209

17. Trials © sail-maw 2009 Early prototype – too flexible 040209

18. Trials © sail-maw 2009 Prototype 3 – folding version – too fragile 040209

19. Trials © sail-maw 2009 Prototype 4 – on long-term test 040209

20. Designs © sail-maw 2009 Packaging design Shown with early ‘folding’ chute stopper prototype Instructions on reverse 040209

21. Designs © sail-maw 2009 Alternative packaging design Flat design, shown with the latest prototype Instructions on reverse 040209

22. Designs © sail-maw 2009 Prototype 4 design Chute stopper 30 Prototype 4 design Spar components Scale 1:1 1st May 2008 040209

23. Questions? © sail-maw 2009 Andy Maw contact@sail-maw.co.uk End 040209