On a Voilier the gennaker is a veil of before intermediary between the Génois and the asymmetrical spi. Its name comes from the contraction of the name from these two veil S.

The gennaker is like the asymmetrical Spinnaker a sail of before with free Guindant only fixed by its Point of rope and its Point of tack. Another common point: the cut of the veil is triradiale. But contrary to the asymmetrical spi one can put his Guindant in tension thanks to a nerve which can be for example in Kevlar.

This characteristic combined with a more moderate hollow makes it possible to use this veil with the Close by moderate wind (but not with the Close tight). The characteristics of the gennaker make it particularly effective between the full Bon and the Through. Passed this pace, the asymmetrical spi is more suitable because hollower. As the asymmetrical spi it cannot be used with the pace S close relations of the Vent postpones. With the Close by supported wind, it must be replaced by a Génois or a Foc.

It is generally of a size more important than the Génois: Covering more important, hollow. The grammage of the veil is intermediate between that of the Spinnaker and that of the Génois. The gennaker is often installed on a Emmagasineur.

to see too

• Gréement
• Veil