Three-handed spinnakers

The Westcott method of packing a spinnaker

(These instructions are third-hand, and have not been checked or blessed by Ted and Jean Westcott. In case of any discrepancy, please defer to the experts.)

Sit on the starboard side, facing port. Place the basket in front of you with the handles facing left (aft) and right (forward).
Find the bottom center of the spinnaker and put it in your lap. The bottom edge is un-colored, and you can usually identify the center by its seam.
Follow the bottom edges of the spinnaker left and right until you find the red and green corners. (Do not simply grab the corners. You must actually follow the bottom edge.) Place the red corner off your lap to your left (aft) and the green corner off your lap to your right (forward). If necessary, flip the spinnaker over.
Work your way up the spinnaker with both hands, sliding the center fabric into your lap with the red and green edges to your left and right. When you are done, the spinnaker should be draped across your lap with the head in your lap.
If the head of the spinnaker is twisted, disconnect the halyard, untwist the spinnaker and re-attach the halyard.
Place the center of the spinnaker in the basket with the head draping over the far (port) edge of the basket.
Working from the center towards the corner, stuff the fabric of the spinnaker into the basket until you reach the corner. Tuck the corner of the spinnaker into the handle of the basket. Repeat with the other corner.

Launching the spinnaker

Pre-launch activity (whenever time allows)

Midship crew (port): pack the spinnaker
Foredeck crew (starboard): set the topping lift
Everyone: keep unused lines coiled and stowed

Fetching the mark (close-hauled)

Helmsman calls to prepare the spinnaker
Foredeck crew climbs on the foredeck and sets the pole on the starboard side by clipping the green line first, then the topping lift, then clipping the pole to the mast. The pole is pushed forward to the headstay.
Midship crew moves the spinnaker basket to the front of the port seat, untucks the corners of the spinnaker from the basket handles, makes sure the halyard is free, and that all spinnaker lines are on top and outside of all other lines.
Foredeck crew returns to the cockpit and makes sure the green line is under the twang.
Midship crew plays out 2 or 3 yards of the red spinnaker sheet as an estimate of what will be needed, and cleats the red spinnaker sheet.

Rounding the mark (beam reach)

Helmsman calls to hoist the spinnaker
Foredeck crew releases the jib halyard, then pulls rapidly on the spinnaker halyard and cleats it.
Midship crew quickly tosses the spinnaker out the port side under the boom, as far as possible, trying to catch the wind, making use of the heel of the boat. Make sure that the spinnaker does not snag and that the basket stays in the boat. Green edge must lead, and the red edge must lag. This can take a little finesse, because at that point the spinnaker is “chaotic” and not really flying yet.
Helmsman make sure that the boat does not go past a broad reach and that the main is not touching the spreaders.

Rounding the mark (broad reach)

Helmsman calls “Green! Green! Green!”
Foredeck crew pulls rapidly on the green guy to open the spinnaker.
Midship crew grabs the red sheet and uncleats it to trim the spinnaker.
If the spinnaker snags on the headstay and cannot be freed by playing the lines, the foredeck crew hands the green guy to the midship crew and moves to the foredeck to unsnag the spinnaker. Midships can assist with this by loosening the red sheet, and playing the tension to get the sail to fill and float off the bow of the boat.
Helmsman continues to keep the main off the spreaders until the spinnaker is clearly past the headstay and free of the shrouds.

Downwind

The helmsman steers downwind to the mark. The main can now be trimmed freely.
The foredeck crew finishes pulling the jib down to the foredeck, and cleats both jib sheets so that the jib stays on deck.
The midship crew trims the spinnaker as necessary. Watch the luff for curl and snap the sheet to flatten the sail, then bring the pole back if need be.
The helmsman keeps the boat between a broad reach and a run.

Striking the spinnaker

Helmsman calls to strike the spinnaker.
Midship crew grabs the outboard (sail) side of the red sheet, and pulls it inboard to reach the red corner.
Foredeck crew frees the green guy from the cleat, then releases the spinnaker halyard and keeps just enough friction on the line to prevent the spinnaker from falling in the water.
Midship pulls quickly pulls the bottom of the spinnaker around grab the green corner and collapse the spinnaker, then pulls the spinnaker into the cockpit.
Foredeck crew raises and trims the jib.