Deck mounted spinnaker launch tube

RussC

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Sep 11, 2015
1,732
Merit 22- Oregon lakes
I'm interested in learning more about this system from those who may have experience or observations. I currently have a more traditional sock to launch the asymmetrical on my Merit 22 but always looking to try new ideas, and this intrigues me. especially as I commonly sail singlehanded. This isn't a very good example but there's a limited amount of info to be found online. thoughts??

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jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,454
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Thinking outside the box.
Could you repurpose your sock to function as the example? You would collapse sail drawing it down with a line attached to the middle of the sail.

Your sock pvc hoop would serve as the opening.

When collapsed the tack, clew, and head of the asymmetrical would be exposed at the opening.
 

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,304
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Thinking outside the box.
Could you repurpose your sock to function as the example? You would collapse sail drawing it down with a line attached to the middle of the sail.

Your sock pvc hoop would serve as the opening.

When collapsed the tack, clew, and head of the asymmetrical would be exposed at the opening.
You'd want to shorten the sock. The retrieval line attaches at the mid point of the sail (the "belly button") All three corners meet at the opening so overall length will figure about 1/2 of luff(on an asym). and because the sail will be essentially doubled, the sock may not be wide enough to accommodate the thicker package. However, I can see using the plastic/resin funnel guide with a redesigned body. You could suspend it horizontally from the pulpit. The body needs a more robust material than a typical sock's lightweight nylon material. The sock requires lightweight and low bulk because it sits up near the masthead when the sail is in use. A deck location will be much more severe... water, non skid abrasion, foot traffic etc. Notice the picture you posted... a pretty heavy mesh bag that won't trap water, but protect the sail. That's why you'll see launcher pointing upward, with drainage being part of the container.

Final comment. I have researched, but never built such a system. I just decided to use the same system as my symmetrical spinnaker... which is launched out of a standard "turtle" bag. Clips to the life line, a metal hoop sewn into the top keep the bag open. Google "spinnaker launch back" for an assortment of commercially made units. I don't go to the bow, I clip it just ahead of the forward shroud on the side I want to launch from. Once it's set, I can go back to the cockpit and hoist from there... Before installing a dodger I could also manage it from the companionway hoisting and dousing from under the boom. I have found that a launch bag and a take down line work well for me...if I had a 30+ footer the sock would certainly help one person manage that much larger sail.
 
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Jan 1, 2006
7,935
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I had and learned to sail on a MFG Bandit 15 which had a spinnaker launch tube. It had a douse line on the aft belly of the spinnaker. To douse I would release the halyard and haul in the douse line from the cockpit. The tube extended to the cockpit so the douse line was readily available. Hoisting was just the opposite.
It was a very good system. Far better than my experience with a sock on a boat I crewed on which was hauled down from the top of the mast. I don't remember how I handled the pole. But going on the foredeck on a 15' boat was a non starter. I didn't race it so I could set up my runs without a jibe.
 
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PaulK

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Dec 1, 2009
1,522
Sabre 402 Southport, CT
Do you have a bow pulpit or lifelines? Your sock opening will need to be above them to avoid entanglements.
 

RussC

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Sep 11, 2015
1,732
Merit 22- Oregon lakes
ahhHa. finally found one! this is a halfway decent video of what I'm thinking of. not English speaking but it's one of the few I could find in ANY language that actually shows a bit of what's I'm talking about. .

 
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PaulK

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Dec 1, 2009
1,522
Sabre 402 Southport, CT
When we went to Denmark they explained to us that they didn't have lots of natural resources so they have to think smarter and sell better ideas. The swallowtail flag indicates some sort of naval connection.
 

RussC

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Sep 11, 2015
1,732
Merit 22- Oregon lakes
I had a few tired old spinnakers laying around so I dug one out to play with for this project. if it works out as well as hoped then perhaps I'll set up my good A spin for this, but until then I can play with this one at little cost if things go sideways. I built a new, and slightly larger form (38" circumfrence), to mold the pvc chute around. as you can see I took @jssailem suggestion and purchased a heat gun, which works really well for this. I set it on ~900* and have had no burning issues at all wile also getting the job done much quicker than the torch method previously used. I'm also using a heavier vinyl covered polyester for the 12' long tube. much too heavy for a std vertical spinnaker chute setup but this "cat proof" window screen seems about right for this deck mounted version. the belly button is split leather and two pieces sandwich the sail to support the heavy 1 1/2" split ring for the retrieve line.
Just need a few warmer days to pull the boat out and get the mast up in the driveway to finalize a few things and test it out now.

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JRacer

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Aug 9, 2011
1,388
Beneteau 310 Cheney KS (Wichita)
ahhHa. finally found one! this is a halfway decent video of what I'm thinking of. not English speaking but it's one of the few I could find in ANY language that actually shows a bit of what's I'm talking about. .

Wow, they are awfully proud of those!
 
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MFD

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Jun 23, 2016
277
Hunter 41DS Pacific NW USA
My only experience is many years ago where there also a spinnaker pole involved. Coastal and offshore, yes, solo.

I think you are tremendously overthinking and overcomplicating all of this.

Spinnaker sets and takedowns day or dark when squalls show up are always gonna be about you knowing your boat and your sails.

What you are thinking about is just adding more complexity and ‘tools’ where things can go wrong.