Code Zero - UK-Halsey Sailmakers

What is Code Zero?

How Code Zero Works

Trimming Tips

     The Code Zero is a cross between a genoa and an asymmetrical spinnaker that is used for sailing close to the wind in light air. These sails are a must for distance races. Being nearly twice the size of a light No. 1 Genoa and made of much lighter weight material, a Code Zero will fill in the faintest of zephyrs. The greatest beneficiaries of these sails are modern boats that do not have overlapping headsails because Code Zeros have more than three times the sail area of a non-overlapping genoa.
     The rulemakers know that a genoa is the most powerful sail for upwind work; therefore, the greater the genoa area, the higher a boat’s rating will be. Under the current design formulas, it pays to have large fractional mainsails and non-overlapping headsails. The Achilles heel in this trade off is the boat’s performance in light air upwind and when close reaching.
     Creative sailmakers got around this conundrum by coming up with the Code Zero. The sail is designed for very close reaching, but it gets around the rating penalties for big genoas by measuring in as a spinnaker. A spinnaker is defined by the rules as having a mid girth measurement that’s at least 75% of the foot length — any smaller and the rule would call the sail a genoa. Because the sails have a wider mid girth and a positive roach, they have nearly twice the area of a light No. 1 genoa with an LP of 150% and they are nearly 300% bigger than a non overlapping genoa.
     Code Zeros can be tacked to the bow, or flown off of the spinnaker pole. They are sheeted with a spinnaker sheet and get fine tuned with a tweaker.

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Your browser does not support iframes.		What is Code Zero? How Code Zero Works Trimming Tips

Your browser does not support iframes.		The Code Zero is a cross between a genoa and an asymmetrical spinnaker that is used for sailing close to the wind in light air. These sails are a must for distance races. Being nearly twice the size of a light No. 1 Genoa and made of much lighter weight material, a Code Zero will fill in the faintest of zephyrs. The greatest beneficiaries of these sails are modern boats that do not have overlapping headsails because Code Zeros have more than three times the sail area of a non-overlapping genoa. The rulemakers know that a genoa is the most powerful sail for upwind work; therefore, the greater the genoa area, the higher a boat’s rating will be. Under the current design formulas, it pays to have large fractional mainsails and non-overlapping headsails. The Achilles heel in this trade off is the boat’s performance in light air upwind and when close reaching. Creative sailmakers got around this conundrum by coming up with the Code Zero. The sail is designed for very close reaching, but it gets around the rating penalties for big genoas by measuring in as a spinnaker. A spinnaker is defined by the rules as having a mid girth measurement that’s at least 75% of the foot length — any smaller and the rule would call the sail a genoa. Because the sails have a wider mid girth and a positive roach, they have nearly twice the area of a light No. 1 genoa with an LP of 150% and they are nearly 300% bigger than a non overlapping genoa. Code Zeros can be tacked to the bow, or flown off of the spinnaker pole. They are sheeted with a spinnaker sheet and get fine tuned with a tweaker.