Can I have a spinnaker on board?
Updated on: 26/05/2025(If you're new to this, see the definition below)
If the spinnaker isn’t listed on a boat’s details page, it means it isn’t available. Otherwise, we’ll indicate whether the spinnaker is included or offered as an optional extra by the charter company (expect to pay around €300 per week). In the latter case, the charter company will likely ask you to pay an additional deposit of a few hundred euros if you wish to use it. Indeed, tears are common due to the fragility of the sail, and repairs are costly.
Note that the presence or availability of a spinnaker depends largely on the region where the boat is located. In the Atlantic, customers are often experienced and in high demand for spinnakers, so most charter companies offer them or even include them. However, in the Mediterranean Sea (French Riviera, Corsica, Italy, Greece, Croatia, etc.), spinnakers are rarely available.
You will sometimes see boats in the Mediterranean Sea where a spinnaker or gennaker is offered as an extra. However, charter companies often have only one sail of this type for their entire fleet, which makes its availability unreliable.
Be aware that due to the fragility of a spinnaker, even if you reserve it in advance, no one can guarantee 100% that it will be present and in good condition on the day of your departure, especially if it has been damaged by a previous crew and the charter company does not have a replacement. In such a case, you simply won’t be charged for this extra (or you’ll be refunded the amount if you’ve already paid for it in advance). But this won’t be grounds for canceling the rental and receiving a refund for the boat, nor will you be compensated.
Definition
A spinnaker (or spi) is a relatively large, deep-draft headsail made of very thin, lightweight material, designed to significantly improve a sailboat’s performance when sailing downwind (i.e., primarily with the wind at the stern). Its use is delicate and requires considerable experience. There are symmetrical spinnakers, asymmetrical spinnakers (sometimes called gennakers, blisters, or MPS), and code zeros (a type of very flat spinnaker designed for broad reach).
Asymmetric spinnakers in use (source: https://navegantesoceanicos.com/tipos-de-spinnaker/)
The dangers of the spinnaker in gusty conditions; here, a "broach" (source: https://voilesetvoiliers.ouest-france.fr/securite-en-mer/temoignage-depart-au-lof-bateau-completement-couche-ca-va-demater-8136039a-c470-11ec-bce6-73235a18c330)
