Gradient Series

Spinnaker Coding Chart

The North Sails "coding" system is designed to make categorizing and describing downwind sails faster and more clear. The "North Code" system describes symmetric and asymmetric spinnakers according to their purpose and wind range rather than by cloth weight. Even-numbered codes are running sails, odd-numbered codes are closer angle sails. The higher the code, the higher the wind range for the sail. An "S" signifies a symmetric spinnaker. An "A" signifies an asymmetric.

Asymmetric:  

CODE 1A

Asym. VMG
55º -85º AWA

CODE 2A

Asym.Light Runner
115º -165ºAWA

CODE 3A

Asym. Reacher
80º -120º AWA North Spinnaker Coding Chart© North Sails

CODE 4A

Asym. Heavy Runner
115º-165º AWA

CODE 5A

Asym. Heavy Reacher
80º-120º AWA

Symmetric:           

CODE 1S
Light VMG Runner
55º-110º AWA

CODE 2S
Medium Runner
110º-180º AWA

CODE 3S
Med. All-Purpose
Reacher
75º-110º AWA

CODE 4S
Heavy Runner
110º-180º AWA

CODE 5S
Storm Spinnaker

Downwind Profiles:

Sprit-rigged Racer / Cruiser: 2A, 3A
Sportboat (one-design): 2A, 3A, 1A
Sportboat (handicap): 3A, 2A, 1A
Offshore Racer: 2S, 3S, 4S
Grand Prix One-Design: 1S, 2S, 3S, 4S
IMS/IRC Racer: 1S, 2S, 3S, 4S  
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Abreviations used in the graph:

AWA = apparent wind angle
AWS = apparent wind speed
VMG = velocity made good (speed made good against or with the wind)
Runner = Spinnaker to run as much downwind as possible.