Hi I have an 84 Hunter and it has a halyard that comes out the front of the mast about 3/4 of the way up is this for a staysail or Spinniker or? Thanks
Extra halyard
- Thread starter ScottySailor
- Start date
I believe the standard rigging for a Hunter 31 (1983-87) would be masthead rig -- i.e., the halyard for the foresails would be from the top of mast.
Unless it's a topping lift line for a spinnaker pole, I doubt you'd be rigging a staysail on an inner fore stay.
Unless it's a topping lift line for a spinnaker pole, I doubt you'd be rigging a staysail on an inner fore stay.
Scotty sailor
It's most likely a spiniker pole topping lift. You probably have two halyard plus the one you posted
It's most likely a spiniker pole topping lift. You probably have two halyard plus the one you posted
Sounds like the topping lift line. Does the boat have either a track on the front of the mast or a fixed ss ring fastened to the front? Did the boat come with a spinnaker pole (or a whisker pole) ?
Yes it does have a track and a ring and whisker pole.
yeah that makes sense so topping lift for wing on wing or spinnaker I’m thinking.
Could I also use that for a small staysail and attach the clew just behind the roller furling Jib or is it better/same to just furl/reef the jib?
Don't see why you couldn't use for rigging a wire luff staysail... but I'm not sure why you'd want to unless it in conjunction with a racing spinnaker.... in which case you'd need the top lift to handle the pole. Many masthead rigs of the 70's and early 80's would rig a tall, wire luff staysail, sometimes called a "daisy staysail" inside the fore triangle to augment the chute. If you can find a copy of the first edition of Tom Whidden's "art and science of sails" there is an extensive piece on how it's rigged and used.
I have such a sail in my boat's inventory and have used it on occasion. It is lighter weight cloth, 3.5 oz say, and has a high aspect, non overlapping cut with a shallow draft. The sail is supported by a sewn in wire luff and I fly it from the spare halyard. You can sheet it normally, or through a block strapped to the end of the boom.
I rarely had the opportunity to fly it with the spinnaker, but to my delight I discovered that it was a terrific light air sail. Its light weight and flat shape allowed better air flow attachment. Controlling the sag with the wire luff allowed for some excellent trim options. You could tack it on the windward rail, rather than center deck, to get out of the mainsail's shadow.
I have such a sail in my boat's inventory and have used it on occasion. It is lighter weight cloth, 3.5 oz say, and has a high aspect, non overlapping cut with a shallow draft. The sail is supported by a sewn in wire luff and I fly it from the spare halyard. You can sheet it normally, or through a block strapped to the end of the boom.
I rarely had the opportunity to fly it with the spinnaker, but to my delight I discovered that it was a terrific light air sail. Its light weight and flat shape allowed better air flow attachment. Controlling the sag with the wire luff allowed for some excellent trim options. You could tack it on the windward rail, rather than center deck, to get out of the mainsail's shadow.
Could I also use that for a small staysail and attach the clew just behind the roller furling Jib or is it better/same to just furl/reef the jib?
With you rig, I don't you foretriangle really is going to allow that to really help. If you want to rig a storm jib, I think I'd look at other options for the position of the tack.
If you are determined to get more light air performance, I'd consider a Code 0 with its own furler.
Storing these sails and rigging becomes a consideration.
Do you have two sails for the roller furling foresail? (e.g., a working jib and a genoa ? ). If so, Do you change these out while sailing often, or just at the dock or mooring?
With you rig, I don't you foretriangle really is going to allow that to really help. If you want to rig a storm jib, I think I'd look at other options for the position of the tack.
If you are determined to get more light air performance, I'd consider a Code 0 with its own furler.
Storing these sails and rigging becomes a consideration.
Do you have two sails for the roller furling foresail? (e.g., a working jib and a genoa ? ). If so, Do you change these out while sailing often, or just at the dock or mooring?