Spinnaker vs. Gennaker — What's the Difference?

A spinnaker is a sail designed specifically for sailing off the wind from a reaching course to a downwind, i.e. with the wind 90–180° off bow.

A gennaker is a sail that was developed around 1990. Used when sailing downwind, it is a cross between a genoa and a spinnaker.

A large triangular headsail secured only at the corners, used on sailboats when running before the wind.

A large headsail having features of both a genoa and a spinnaker.

(nautical) A sail supplemental to the mainsail, especially a triangular one, used on yachts for running before the wind.

(nautical) A sail having characteristics of a genoa and a spinnaker.

(nautical) To sail using a spinnaker

A large triangular sail set upon a boom, - used when running before the wind.

Large and usually triangular headsail; carried by a yacht as a headsail when running before the wind