I have a Selden bowsprit extended the max unsupported length of 35.5” to fly my asymmetrical spinnaker. I’d like to add a Code 0 but the Selden specs say I’d have to reduce the unsupported length to 17”. If I do that the furling line wouldn’t clear the pulpit. It seems this would be a common problem. How have others handled it?
The only solution I can see would be to reduce the foot and leech of the sail until the 35.5” sprit could handle it. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Reducing the area of the Code 0 isn't a solution to your dilemma, I'm afraid. The area of the sail is irrelevant when a big gust hits and the boat heels over hard. It's heeling that determines how big the loads on the rigging are, not the size of the sail.
All rigging on a boat must be engineered to withstand the loads generated by the maximum righting (and pitching) moment of the boat. When strong gust hits a small Code Zero making the boat heel, the bowsprit system has to withstand exactly the same force as it would with a weaker gust and a big Code Zero. Both situations make the boat heel to the same degrees. That means the force on the sails is the same in both situations.
Also. please remember that you have to look at the whole sprit system, not just the strength and diameter and wall thickness of the pole. The bowsprit system is linked to the keel via the bow ring, deck attachments and the deck structure. You must consider the loads on the mounting brackets and the strength of the deck at the attachment point.
The way I see it, you have two options here: buy a beefier sprit system (and attachment to the deck) that can handle the loads of a Code Zero,
or modify the pulpit so you don't need a long bowsprit
If it were my choice, I'd modify the pulpit. Cut, move and reweld the top rail on the bow pulpit. so the furler's torsion cable can go in a straight line from mast to the approximate middle of the existing bowsprit. That's probably simpler than re-engineering the deck and bow sprit.
Pulpits that don't get in the way of flying furlers -- That's the solution used on all the recent-model boats. If you modify the bow pulpit, you can use a short bowsprit for your Code Zero with furler. Short bowsprit = lower forces on the hardware and deck. It's an elegant solution. No need for lots of excess engineering. Add a short bobstay from the Code Zero attachment point down to a Ubolt just above the water line and you're golden.
According to the specs published online, your Profurl SpinX 1.5 will do the job. But I'm a sailmaker, not a rigger, so please confirm that directly with the manufacturer.
JudyB