What is a spinnaker?

Question

What is a spinnaker?

Answer 1

A small sail

Answer 2

a spinnaker is a sail for a boat. its a large sail designed to collect a lot of wind and is used for going fast in a trailing wind

Answer 3

Everyones given you the answer that its a sail for going downwind or reaching across the wind, but for further clarification can i point out there are two types, symmetric and asymmetric, both of which function in slightly different ways. Asymmetrics are easier to use

Answer 4

you know by now a sail

Answer 5

These are all good answers, but the main purpose of the Spinnaker is to "catch" as much wind as the boat can handle.  It is also called a "boomer" because of the loud "BOOM" sound that the sail makes when it "catches".  Hope this helps.

Answer 6

A spinnaker is a special type of sail that is designed specificaly for sailing off the wind from a reaching[1] course to a downwind [2]. The spinnaker fills with wind and balloons out in front of the boat when it is deployed, called flying. It is constructed of very lightweight, usually nylon, fabric, and is often brightly colored. The spinnaker is often called a chute, as it somewhat resembles a parachute in both construction and appearance, or a kite. It may be optimised[3] for a particular range of wind angles, as either a reaching or a running spinnaker.

Answer 7

A spinnaker is a special sail that is designed specifically for sailing downwind (with the wind behind the boat). A spinnaker resembles a parachute somewhat in both construction and appearance.

Answer 8

it's the curved sail at the front of a boat.

Answer 9

A SAIL ON A YACHT OR SMALL BOAT

Answer 10

It is a large sail at the front of a racing yacht.

Answer 11

Someone who eats spinach every day in large amounts. It is sometime called the Popeye addiction.