Code cracking
Over the past 20 years or so, the term 'code zero' has often been mis-applied to describe a variety of large asymmetric sails used on different points of sailing.
However, the generally accepted definition is that it is a sail which, under most racing rules, rates as a spinnaker but is set when sailing upwind in light airs and perhaps on a beam reach as it gets windier.
For IRC racers, they are especially useful for offshore and round the cans races.
Alan Harris-Guerrero of Sail Shape explains: “IRC yachts love these sails as they don’t affect their upwind/ reaching sail area on the IRC certificate, so in light to medium airs an IRC yacht with a small jib power-reaching can hoist a code zero giving a massive boost in sail area, especially if they are sailing too high to run their A3 asymmetric.”
For cruising, sailors are often uncertain as to which kind of sail is the best choice: is a code zero the smartest option or not? Mark Woodford of Jeckells the Sailmakers emphasises that it is important to first understand which sail is best suited for the type of sailing you're most likely to do. He explains: “A code zero is a flat free flying sail designed for close reaching angles. Many cruisers confuse code zeros with asymmetric sails, thinking they are
