Asymmetrical spinnaker

It is asymmetric like a genoa, but like a spinnaker, its luff is unstructured and floats freely, unencumbered by an internal wire or hanks attaching it to a stay.

An asymmetrical spinnaker generates more lift at larger angles of attack than a genoa, providing the boat with more power when the apparent wind speed is dropping.

Since the apparent winds are higher at small angles, the boat should sail faster than it would with a conventional spinnaker since more power can be generated.

[1] This is demonstrated by a Polar diagram (sailing) showing the theoretical predicted boat speeds and carrying angles of a symmetrical vs. an asymmetrical spinnaker.On cruising sailboats, a modestly sized asymmetrical spinnaker can be tacked to a centerline bow pulpit, anchor roller or a furled headsail, and can be known by other names, like "cruising chute" or a gennaker.

The asymmetric is simpler to gybe than a conventional spinnaker since it only requires releasing a sheet and pulling in the other one, passing the sail in front of the forestay.

[6] An asymmetric spinnaker is particularly effective on fast planing dinghies and ultra-light displacement boats as their speed generates an apparent wind on the bow allowing them to sail more directly downwind.