I've just put a newer (2 year old) suit of sails on our NSM 2 - apart from the usual "adjustments" like jib luff wire length, loose footed main all of which are easy to sort - I seen to have a problem with the spinnaker.

The spinnaker seems to "jam" about half-way into the chute. Now, I know that the older spinnaker we've had was heavier cloth, and supposed to be "new rules" - though it doesn't have the area on it - this went through the chute without problems.
Any suggestions? (preferably ones that don't involve drastic surgery!)

I'd hate for the spinnaker to jam half-in at a critical moment - and sending the crew onto the foredeck to push it in seems to defeat the purpose of the chute (and the twin pole set-up)

Thanks,

Colin (3387)

If you're using a modern length set of poles, as the spinnaker is coming down, take out the pole and it should stow easily as you continue pulling.

Is your chute hole the same size as the other boats you have seen? And does it jam even if you hoist/drop on land without using the poles?

Only thing I can think of is that the sheets are getting caught on the nipple (retrieval patch) and maybe bunching up - test this on land by pulling both sheets so the sail is tight against the jib, and then dropping....

Simplest solution is to check everything is running really smoothly, the halyard sheaves especially, and invest in some silicone spray and spray the spinny with it.  As Mags says. check there is nothing catching half way down, it does sound as though it is your recovery patch - it shouldn't foul the sheets or anything else but it may be stiffer or larger than the last one.  You shouldn't need to resort to surgery on an NSM2.  Is there something catching in the mouth of the chute?  One helm's task on the spinny drop is to pull an armful of guy as the pole comes off, as well as stopping it going under the bow it helps get it in the chute neatly.

Thanks to all the contributors:-

All the running gear is fine - after all, the previous spinnaker went in ok - this one seems a lot harder.

It's an Alvabanks spinnaker - the recovery patch is one length of tape - the older one is a cross of tape.
I'll try the glidenseal route - it may be that the newer sail is just that bit stiffer...

Cheers,
Colin

You may be treading on it...

It may be that your original sail was manufactured from a type of siliconised nylon, some of the newer sails are made from std finish nylon that may be a lot harder to fit  inside a small MR spin mouth, if water beads on the surface its siliconised, as they get older the silicone finish wears off resulting in poor deployment and increased water absorbtion.