Sailboat Racing Adventures

Running the tapes

Running the tapes on a spinnaker drastically lowers the chance of a bad hoist. Assuming port launch (pole to starboard):

1. Take hold of port spin clew
2. Work you way up the spot luff, folding the luff over in 18-24 in folds until the head is now on the port clew
3. Work your way along the foot, folding the foot in the same way until the starboard clew is on top

Coach: I find it really doesn’t matter which corner you start with, so long as bottom to top order is port clew, head, stb clew. Assuming you are launching from a companionway bag, I like to put the bunched up port luff tape in first, followed by the starboard luff tape. That way, as you pre-feed the guy, you are pulling on the part of the sail that is at the top of the bag.