FLYING YOUR DOYLE BUZZARDS BAY APC

Handling your APC to make it the most enjoyable sail in your inventory

Downwind sailing has never been easier and more fun! The Doyle APC has opened up a whole new realm of simple, fun filled sailing with an easy to set and fly asymmetrical spinnaker. Dousing it is easy and trouble free with the ATN Spinnaker Sleeve. 

Flying Your Doyle APC

The Set Up:

There are three attachment points for the APC and only two get adjusted while sailing. You need 2 spinnaker sheets to control the sail and a block at the bow and one on each side of the boat near the stern.

Tackline (Supplied with the APC).: Lead the tackline through a snap block attached to the stem-head and back to the bow cleat. Many APC owners are attaching the tackline to the bow anchor roller if they have one. This is very effective because the bow roller is a few inches outside of the pulpit and keeps the sail free from the pulpit. Before attaching the tack to the anchor roller, make sure that the roller is reinforced enough to take the load of the tackline.

Sheets: Attach the spinnaker sheets to the clew of the APC and lead them through a snap block on the port and starboard quarter and back to your cockpit winches. You can rig only one sheet if you are sure that you will not be jibing. If you are using two sheets, lead the lazy sheet around the headstay and back to the cockpit so that the APC will jibe outside of the headstay not through the foretriangle. (Please See the section on jibing)

Halyard. Attach the spinnaker halyard to the head of the APC or the top of the sock, which ever is applicable. Hoist the halyard to the top. You do not need to adjust halyard tension while sailing.

Sailing with Your APC:

The sheet is the major control for your APC. Trim it much like a symmetrical spinnaker. As the luff of the APC folds in, trim the sheet. If the luff of the spinnaker never begins to fold in, then you probably need to ease the sheet. As you sail with your APC you will learn how much trimming is necessary.

Tack Line: Besides the sheet, you may want to adjust the tackline to optimize sail shape. When tight reaching, the APC will be more efficient with the tackline tight. When broad reaching, the tackline should be eased to allow the luff of the APC to project out in front of the boat.

With a Dousing Sock. Before you jibe, douse the APC. With the sail safely in the sock, take the sock and walk it around the forestay. You can bring the sail around the forestay before or after the actual jibe. If you are only using one spinnaker sheet, you will have to re-lead the sheet for the new jibe. Once you are set up on your new jibe, check to ensure that the sail is properly set up and pull up the sock. This method takes more time than the second method, but it is safest. There is very little chance that you will rip your APC when using this method.

Without a Dousing Sock. This method can be used if you have a dousing sock and want to jibe quickly. This jibing method requires that both sheets be rigged to the APC. Rig the lazy sheet in front of the forestay and in front of the luff of the APC. It takes practice to perfect this method, so you should be sure to try it slowly for the first few jibes. As you head downwind, ease the sheet of the APC all the way out. The sail will flow out in front of the boat. When the boat is directly down wind (it might help to have the main at centerline) begin to take in the new sheet. The clew of the APC should pass in front of the luff of the APC. As you bring in the sheet steer through the jibe and begin sailing on your new jibe. Note. Be sure you do not have any sharp objects attaching the sheets to the APC -- these could rip the sail during a jibe.

For more information or to order a Doyle APC, contact:

Doyle Buzzards Bay

Bill Ribar
278 Elm St.
South Dartmouth, MA 02748
   T (508) 992-6322    

T (800) 94-DOYLE

F (508) 990-2858

   buzzardsbay@doylesails.com