Spinnaker Flying with an ATN Tacker

Symmetrical spinnaker flying on Capri 22 with ATN Tacker.

Flying a spinnaker when sailing single-handed requires some special skills, especially as it relates to dealing with the spinnaker pole.  An alternative for those with a furling headsail is to forego the spinnaker pole and use an ATN Tacker.

Setting up the ATN Tacker: 

• Halyard to the spinnaker's head
• Sheets to spinnaker's clew
• Downhaul to the snap shackle bell of the ATN Tacker
• Position the ATN Tacker so it fits around the furled headsail
• Close the ATN Tacker with its carabiner clipped onto the snap shackle's bell
• Clip the snap shackle onto the spinnaker's tack
• Hoist the spinnaker (best when on a broad reach)

The ATN Tacker snap shackle allows the operator to release the tack of the spinnaker, making it easier to douse the spinnaker behind the mainsail on a broad reach.  After the release, the halyard is payed out while the sheet is used to pull the spinnaker down into the cabin.