Life is Like Sailing - Single Handed Gennaker Sailing

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Most popular comments
for Life is Like Sailing - Single Handed Gennaker Sailing

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Doug Rutherford - 5 years ago

Just bought a Sceptre 36 to start my sailing chapter on our coast. moored at Snug Cove. All my spinnaker experience is on a symmetrical spinnaker. Now have a Gennaker as well, so great to see your video on setup and sailing one. A big jump from Okanagan Lake to the big pond. Life is good.

Life is Like Sailing - 5 years ago

Congrats on the purchase and Sung Cove is a great spot. So glad this episode helped and welcome to the BC Coast! :)

David NCW - 5 years ago

good job ty!

Life is Like Sailing - 5 years ago

Thanks and so glad you enjoyed it!

Mike S - 5 years ago

Five star and a BIG thumbs up. Thank you for sharing.

Life is Like Sailing - 5 years ago

Thank you and glad you enjoyed it!

Rasmus Mattsson - 5 years ago

Nice!

I'm thinking of adding a Gennaker next year but will install a bowsprit or something similar first to avoid the problem with it fighting with the forestay. It "should" fix that problem as well as give it some more freedom over all :)
Looked like an awesome day, thanks for the video :)

Regards

Rasmus Mattsson

Life is Like Sailing - 5 years ago

A bowsprit would be great! Glad you enjoyed this episode! :)

Drumsgoon - 5 years ago

great stuff! Too bad the wind was a little low

Life is Like Sailing - 5 years ago

Glad you enjoyed it and I wished the wind was a bit stronger as well!

Thomas Red - 5 years ago

Very informative, thank you. Im new and my boat came with a gennaker and sock but I haven't pulled it out yet. I assume that the line for raising the sock should be an integral part of the sock itself and not something that needs to be rigged from the mast?

Thomas Red - 5 years ago

@Life is Like Sailing great, thanks for the info. I've been subbed for a couple years - keep up the great vids!

Life is Like Sailing - 5 years ago

Great that you have this sail on your boat and it is very easy to use. Yes the line for the sock is rigged into the sock and it pulls the ring at the bottom of the sock up and down (depending on which end of the line you are pulling a the time.

Life is Like Sailing - 5 years ago

I prefer the spinnaker over the gennaker, but he gennaker is a simpler set up and easier to use. The spinnaker is more effective - that is the trade off. ha

Gerald Chopik - 6 years ago

Thanks! I started sailing two years ago at 67 with a Mirage 27. I taught myself to sail single-handed via YouTube and ended this season with a 7-hr crossing of Lake Ontario, and a 9-hr return. It's excellent videos like yours that I must give credit to for getting me this far this quick. Thanks so much for taking the time to put this together. Much appreciated.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

So great to hear that you have started sailing! Youtube didn't exist when I started so it was a number of 'how to sail' books for me, but it is so great that there is so much information online now to help others learn sailing skills. :) I bet it was a great crossing of Lake Ontario. :)

ushillbillies - 6 years ago

GOOD JOB MAN !!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it!

10. comment for Life is Like Sailing - Single Handed Gennaker Sailing

pepe poo - 6 years ago

Had wicked thoughts about selling my boat but this video change my mind , being 60 i was finding things heavy going but really want to try this .

rcpmac - 5 years ago

I moved from a 38’ to a 24’ 1800 lb racer Light and fun.

cguy - 5 years ago

Another thing that might help you keep sailing well into the golden years is electric winches and consider apprenticing a new agile sailor. They will be excited to learn and crew is always helpful. Plus it keeps sailing alive for the next generation of sailors.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Great to hear you are keeping your boat and going to try the gennaker!

Erich Knaak - 6 years ago

Nice tutorial. I just flew my genaker for the first time yesterday. And I did it solo. I had a bit more wind than you did, 10-15, and a fantastic ride. I did sail wing and wing for a bit and tried to hit as many points of sail as I could. I was surprised how high I could point with it. I’m going to have fun with this sail. This was also my first over night solo trip since getting my boat last December. Love your channel.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you and so great to hear you are trying out the gennaker! It is a great sail!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

You are welcome and glad you enjoyed it. :)

colin rat - 6 years ago

Just a question....
I have this and it's a cruising shute.
More of a down wind to beam reach ?
Where a gennaca sail is flatter for up wind

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

more down wind or beam reach for this sail.

Big round watermelon - 6 years ago

Oh dear, here's another good video, again nothing to complain about

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Glad you enjoyed it!

Brad Lefton - 6 years ago

thanks. the video came out great!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it!

Philip Johnstone - 6 years ago

Excellent informative and easy to follow. Thank you. I have also found your other vids to be very useful.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you enjoyed it and have found this and other episodes useful! :)

Wind on Water - 6 years ago

Alfy - great instructional video. I've been watching your videos for over a year and had planned on trying my best to approach the quality of what you do. I just returned from the Bahamas. I did do some filming but I DO realize how hard it is to film and sail at the same time and have nearly given up trying. You are clearly the winner. I guess it's still fun to make some videos and put them on my blog. Some of my readers say they enjoy watching them but, after watching yours, I realize how pathetic mine are. Anyway, thanks and keep doing what you do - THANKS1
Ron
SV True Blue

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you Ron and must have been nice sailing down south. Yes the filming and editing is a lot of work and takes time for sure! Fair winds!

Terrence Bradley - 6 years ago

Very good job Alfy! I have never seen the genneker used and though I have heard of it I never really looked into it. But since I follow your videos you led me into it and certainly removed the mystery about it for me. So a hearty thank you!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

So glad I was able to reveal al the mysteries surrounding the gennaker! :)

Larry Edge - 6 years ago

Very handy and I enjoyed the information, keep it up... Good job

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it. :)

20. comment for Life is Like Sailing - Single Handed Gennaker Sailing

Canyon Haverfield - 6 years ago

Alfe.. nicely explained and what a treat to be out sailing on such a gem of an afternoon. Just so you don't unjustly receive all the credit for a good production,I could clearly recognise your sweet girlfriends artistic influence as you captured the sails reflection upon the passing sea.That may be your style too, I'm sure you both have equally strong suits for noticing all the good stuff. I liked the humble-honest-direct way you admitted to leaving the head actor (sail) back in its locker on shore. A lesser man would of redefined the purpose of the sail/film and we'd never know . You are one quality guy, one we can all use a measuring stick for our own growth . Best to you ! ~ canyon

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

So glad you enjoyed this episode and it was a great afternoon for it for sure! Thank you for all your kind comments as well! :)

Richard Green - 6 years ago

you did a great job in a relaxed manner that made it easy to follow thanks

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you and glad you enjoyed it. :)

Ease the Sheets - 6 years ago

Another great film, never used a gennaker but would consider getting one before a spinnaker. Have you considered fitting a bowsprit to clear the sail beyond the pushpit and the windows in the spray hood look great.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Yes, gennakers are great and easy sails to use. A bowsprit would be nice with a gennaker, but I don't imagine I'd put one on my boat as I prefer to use a spinnaker. :) I'm very happy with the windows, thanks!

N7GN - 6 years ago

Excellent. Very informative and you got an "artsy" shot in too!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it!

Richard Hamilton - 6 years ago

I’ve discovered that in heavier winds, say 15-20 kts, pulling the sock down can be hard. But if you head further downwind, the gennaker gets blanketed by the main. Then it is much easier to pull it down.

Andy's East Coast Adventures - 5 years ago

15-20kts exceeds what a lightweight nylon sail should be used in although if racing they seem to use them in any wind. Normally use mine when less than 10 and will still fill out nicely.

Corkedit - 6 years ago

You can pole the tack on cruising chute and swing it out on the windward side to get more downwind. I run mine dead down wind and it hold well, just adjust the tack line out as you guy the pole around.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it. I hope you gennaker makes it out of the sock this season! Sounds like you just had a great trip at a warm location! I look forward to be sailing in warmer climates one day!

Wish Full - 6 years ago

Really appreciate you doing something specially for the viewers. Thanks Alfy.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

So glad you enjoyed this one!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks!

brian - 6 years ago

oh my my its soo hard to get moooooorage anywhere in vancouver , unless you're a millionarie

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Yes, it can be difficult to find moorage in that city.

30. comment for Life is Like Sailing - Single Handed Gennaker Sailing

LAS - 6 years ago

Great job brother! Made that look super easy!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you and well,,,, it is a pretty easy sail to use so I can't take all the credit. haha

Doug Rutherford - 6 years ago

Good to see the differences between the two. I have only used the spiniker and have to be so precise when jibing single handed. Your weather is so nice. We have just gotten ride of our snow here in Kelowna and just above freezing. yuk

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Glad you enjoyed seeing the differences and yes, this sail is much simpler and easier to use. I hope the rest of your snow melts away asap!

Tomas West - 6 years ago

Great tutorial Alfy, hope to use my gennaker for the first time this year. Seen to many horror videos in high winds so still cautious

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you and glad you enjoyed it. Try your out in light air and that will make it harder to have issues. :)

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you!!

Sue Peck - 6 years ago

Great video Allie. I liked seeing it in light air because then the jibe happens slower and you get a better sense of how it all works. Love the adjustable line for the tack!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it! Yes the adjustable tack is nice to have. :)

Martin - 6 years ago

fantastic

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks!

Patrick van Wijland - 6 years ago

Thanks Alvi for the comparison of the two sails. You don't have a Code Zero to compare?

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

You are welcome and glad you enjoyed the comparison. No code zero.

Nigel Donald - 6 years ago

Nice video

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you!

Jack Gates - 6 years ago

Well done Alfy, very clear and concise tutorial. Another sunny day in Rupert! You're going to use them all up by May at this rate ! Ha!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it! I hope I don't use up all the sunshine just yet. haha

Mark Robertshaw - 6 years ago

Cheers Alfie, great job. Enjoying your videos a lot.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you and so glad you are enjoying the channel!

ojibway3 - 6 years ago

Thanks buddy, that was nice.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

You are welcome and thanks!

Chango de la Porcelaina Canada - 6 years ago

Thx. Just got a Gennaker so your vid is a great refresher. I don’t want a full symmetrical ... I took a race course once and three noobs had to Gybe And flip the pole In the middle of the night in Gusty conditions with very little light. Any mistake and the sleeping skipper would come up and start yelling.. let alone the possibility of broaching. Anyways thx for the tips

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Sounds like a skipper that shouldn't be teaching people how to sail, yelling is not acceptable on my boat. Too bad some people instructing others think it is acceptable?! The gennaker is a much simpler sail and even easier with the sock. :)

Chuck Hoover - 6 years ago

Excellent video! What company is the sailmaker of your Gennaker? Beautiful sail.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks! I think it was made by North Sails.

S/V ICEBOUND - 6 years ago

Thanks a lot for another great video. Thanks for the step by step demonstration how to set up a genacker

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

You are welcome and so glad you enjoyed it!

Mike Woodford - 6 years ago

This is the way videos should be: clear and perfectly understandable. Very nice job....thank you!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it!

Laurent Froggy - 6 years ago

Superb as usual and all this explaining and sail handling with video all on your own. Bravo Sire. Many thanks and best from HKG

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it! Yes, it is a bit of work doing everything when single handing the boat, but I still have fun. ha

Ian goldberg - 6 years ago

You nailed it again.great video

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it!

J Chase - 6 years ago

Moonshine makes some nice speed upwind in light air!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

haha

J Chase - 6 years ago

Life is Like Sailing Must be that meticulously faired keel...

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Yes, she does slip through the water nicely in light air. :)

Doc William - 6 years ago

Thank you for the video. Being that you live in the Great White North... I was wondering what the coldest temperature was in which a sail can still function?

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Glad you enjoyed it. I don't know what the coldest temp would be, but I imagine that if it was so cold that your sails couldn't function, prob would mean you shouldn't be out sailing at that moment. :)

133dave133 - 6 years ago

Looks like fun. I should look into getting a small lake sailboat? Where I live, we have the wind, but we really don't have the body of water. Plus, our lakes are fairly shallow, so with our wind we can get pretty massive close together waves, which might be scary on small boat.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

I've never sailed on a lake, but I bet that would be fun in the right conditions. :)

50. comment for Life is Like Sailing - Single Handed Gennaker Sailing

The Thing - 6 years ago

I trust your skills, I'd hire your to move my boat.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you of that vote of confidence. :)

Francis St-Denis - 6 years ago

Thanks, very helpful!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Glad you enjoyed it!

Bill Bruce - 6 years ago

I've been looking for a decent video on flying a gennaker for awhile. Thanks for sharing...I have been reluctant to use mine as I thought it would be too much effort while single handing. What strength winds do you use this sail in?

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Glad this episode helped then! I would probably take the sail down once the wind strength was over 15 knots.

BobbieGWhiz - 6 years ago

Is this another term for an asymmetrical spinnaker?

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Yes it is.

ptofte - 6 years ago

yes, Genoa+Spinnaker => Genaker

FoxIslanderSteve - 6 years ago

Very nice...makes me feel much better trying this alone...thanks.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks and yes, this is a pretty simple sail to use. :)

Stuie's Adventures - 6 years ago

Very informative, thank you

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

You are welcome and glad you enjoyed it. :)

Angus Hamilton - 6 years ago

Most instructive and helpful. You sure keep that yacht ship shape!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you and glad you enjoyed this one!

Allyn Onderdonk - 6 years ago

There used to be a good spinnaker pole video by onthehelm.com on Youtube. I can't seem to find a 4 or 5 part series. So much that can be done with a spinnaker pole, most sailors just can't grasp it all. The videos were most informative!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Nice to have videos out there to help explain these sails. :)

Brenda OGara - 6 years ago

Do you what you like doing . It’s your journey . Not theirs !

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

I always do. :)

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks!!

Tf9500 - 6 years ago

Great videos, I like tutorial videos educational and entertaining! Thanks!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you and so glad you enjoy the tutorial episodes. :)

John Christopher - 6 years ago

Hi There,

We started sailing last summer and this video is well explained, filmed, and captures what we need to do.

well done Alfie.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you and I am glad to hear that this episode helped. :)

Sailing Nauti Pirate - 6 years ago

Thank you that clears up a lot of things for the gennaker, I have an Asymmetrical spinnaker sitting in the locker for my Irwin 32. I will give it a try this spring.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Nice, I hope you can try it out this season!

TOM - 6 years ago

Thank you for the effort you do put into your videos and your experience

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

You are welcome and glad you enjoyed it. :)

Stanley Kelly - 6 years ago

im looking forward to your new vidios over the season. sheer delight to watch. good look from Ireland.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks and stay tuned! :)

James C - 6 years ago

Great video, was good to see your technique. Have you done a video of your sail flaking and maintenance? Your boat always looks so well packed

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it. I have done videos on sail maintenance, folding, etc. Just look through the previously posted videos and you should be able to find them easily. :)

George Canakis - 6 years ago

Excellent video i am terrified of spinakers but this was awesome. I will give it a go thanks for giving me the confidence cheers.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks and I hope you'll get a chance to try out this sail! If you do it in light air then not a whole lot can go wrong. :)

S Stem - 6 years ago

I just love your tutorials!!! You'll turn me into a sailor yet! On another note, I just got thru watching the old videos on Mads' trip to Vancouver. Talk about YouTube GOLD!!! I would LOVE to see y'all do more stuff together..... You guys are my HEROES! :-D

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks and so glad you enjoy the tutorial episodes! Yes that sure was fun trip with Mads and I hope we can collaborate again one day! :)

GARY GREEN - 6 years ago

too cool ! thank you , your a great teacher ! ha.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thank you and so glad you enjoyed it!

Dilithium Crystals - 6 years ago

Nice. Would it be accurate that you wouldn't want to use a gennaker or a spinnaker with a sock if it's raining as packing it away would induce mold? And if you did, would you have to hang it out to dry?

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

I use the spinnaker and gennaker rain or shine. Just need to dry it out after use.

Just about sailing - 6 years ago

Excellent. That was very useful and clear. I have had a Gennaker sitting in a bag in my boat for the last three years. I put it up once in very light winds just to check how it all went together. I was very unsure about how to best attach the tack. The prow of my boat (and the pullpit rails) are almost the same shape as those on Moonshine - quite pointy. You have given me a brilliant demonstration of how I can set up an (adjustable) line to the tack and where to put the pulley. Thanks.

Andy's East Coast Adventures - 5 years ago

I have mine a fixed length roughly the same as the genoa so it clears the rails when tacking. I also use the same sheets as the genoa as I use a soft shackle so I can transfer over easily. Only use it in light wind but they do look great when up. I don't have a sock on mine though so have to be quick in getting it up & deployed.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Glad you enjoyed it and yes having that adjustable tack attachment makes it quite nice. :)

jrp616 - 6 years ago

I don't have a gennaker, so I really enjoyed watching that. The only thing that wasn't clear to me was how raising & dousing with the same line works, there must be a pulley somewhere that wasn't showed?

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Glad you enjoyed it. :) Yes the line is attached to a tether at the outside of the metal ring and runs up the outside of the sock to a little block at the top then the line then runs down inside the sock to an attachment point at the base near the metal ring.

Capt Chef Mark SV Alcina - 6 years ago

Nice work.
Can the sheet go out side of the forestay or must it go inside when you jibe ?

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks! I run the sheet forward of the forestay to keep everything forward of it. :)

Jorge Concheyro - 6 years ago

Love to see Moonshine sailing, great video Alfy. Hope this spring and summer to be full of your videos. Cheers!!!!

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Thanks and I hope to get lots of sailing in this summer! :)

theislandpackrat - 6 years ago

I think that's a lot easer that a spinnaker! when by yourself.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

Yes for sure!

Jack neff - 6 years ago

where is the girlfriend?

FoxIslanderSteve - 6 years ago

...really? This is your concern? smh.

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

I can't call it 'single handed sailing' if I brought crew. ;) ha

Cawffee_ Tyme - 6 years ago

I'm guessing this wasn't today? seeing that it's now just 130 in the pm on the east coast. Glad you had some fun atleast......enjoy spring

Life is Like Sailing - 6 years ago

This was a week ago. I beautiful weekend, today is grey and raining.

Capt Chef Mark SV Alcina - 6 years ago

Cawffee _Tyme ,well it's 3.46 am here in Melbourne Australia .

About Life is Like Sailing - Single Handed Gennaker Sailing

The "Life is Like Sailing - Single Handed Gennaker Sailing" video is part of the Sealing, tipps, boating category, which contains similar videos like this one.