We are a serious but comfort-loving couple considering a cruising spinnaker for our 430 to increase downwind performance. The UK Triradial "flasher" with a "Stasher" seems like a simple and easy alternative since we have also chosen a furling main and an electric winch. Are spinnaker winches necessary or would the jib winches be sufficient if turning blocks are used? If blocks are used any hints on position?
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Block Positions
All the Hunter's (newer ones) I've seen with spinnakers have the blocks attached to the stern rails. On both starboard and port as the stern rail wraps around and ends facing forward are welded on loops. The blocks attach here. I've seen the spinnaker winches, but am curious to see if others are leading the sheets through the turning blocks then forward to the cabin top winches. These would be slightly awkward and the sheet would cross that whole side of the cockpit enroute to the winch, plus each sheet would have to be 8-10 feet longer. I'm searching for the right sail for my 380 too, so I'll long forward to others comments about this. Smooth sailing Bob Knott H380
All the Hunter's (newer ones) I've seen with spinnakers have the blocks attached to the stern rails. On both starboard and port as the stern rail wraps around and ends facing forward are welded on loops. The blocks attach here. I've seen the spinnaker winches, but am curious to see if others are leading the sheets through the turning blocks then forward to the cabin top winches. These would be slightly awkward and the sheet would cross that whole side of the cockpit enroute to the winch, plus each sheet would have to be 8-10 feet longer. I'm searching for the right sail for my 380 too, so I'll long forward to others comments about this. Smooth sailing Bob Knott H380
spinnaker hardware
I have a H410 and have mounted the spinnaker blocks and winches as Bob has indicated in the previous reply. I had looked at using the jib winch for the spinnaker, but felt it was ackward and potentially dangerous to run the sheet thru the cockpit. So I bit the $$$'s bullet and bought the winches. As an added plus, I've used the spinnaker winch, in a pinch, for other lines such as the outhaul. S/V Spellbinder H410
I have a H410 and have mounted the spinnaker blocks and winches as Bob has indicated in the previous reply. I had looked at using the jib winch for the spinnaker, but felt it was ackward and potentially dangerous to run the sheet thru the cockpit. So I bit the $$$'s bullet and bought the winches. As an added plus, I've used the spinnaker winch, in a pinch, for other lines such as the outhaul. S/V Spellbinder H410
UK Flasher
Bob, we just sold a Passage 42, but we flew a UK Flasher on the boat. We have a 450 on order and intend to fly the same UK Flasher on the new boat. I highly recommend the the UK Flasher. It is fun and the performance is fantastic. We almost alwasy few the UK Flasher as the only sail. On the 42 (center cockpit) the blocks could be adjusted (on a long track) from a point in front of the cockpit to a point behind the cockpit. This is important since the leeward sheet from the spinaker, needs to come from the sail to a point on the aft quarter, then to the winch. I don't know the set up on a 430, but on a 450 the stanard block can only be adjusted (on the track) a short distance for the jib. When you buy the opitional spinaker gear, you get additional blocks and track near the aft quarter. You may be able to get by with out the additional spinaker winches, but the sheet angle from the block to the jib winch may interfer with somthing. I would suggust that you get the winches too. The optional gear from Hunter will set it up for easy handling and more fun. Good luck.
Bob, we just sold a Passage 42, but we flew a UK Flasher on the boat. We have a 450 on order and intend to fly the same UK Flasher on the new boat. I highly recommend the the UK Flasher. It is fun and the performance is fantastic. We almost alwasy few the UK Flasher as the only sail. On the 42 (center cockpit) the blocks could be adjusted (on a long track) from a point in front of the cockpit to a point behind the cockpit. This is important since the leeward sheet from the spinaker, needs to come from the sail to a point on the aft quarter, then to the winch. I don't know the set up on a 430, but on a 450 the stanard block can only be adjusted (on the track) a short distance for the jib. When you buy the opitional spinaker gear, you get additional blocks and track near the aft quarter. You may be able to get by with out the additional spinaker winches, but the sheet angle from the block to the jib winch may interfer with somthing. I would suggust that you get the winches too. The optional gear from Hunter will set it up for easy handling and more fun. Good luck.
another consideration
Bob. I agonized over the same decision for my 410, and ultimately opted to shell out for the additional winches. Now that I have them, I can't imagine making do with only the cabin-top winches. This is especially true when there are guests aboard and the cockpit mysteriously shrinks halfway through the first gybe. There is a safety feature to consider as well: when offshore we will often fly the chute for an entire day, especially when reaching, and there are inevitably long periods where only the helmsman is in the cockpit. It's reassuring to know that if the boat begins to round up the spinnaker sheet can be eased without having to leave the wheel.
Bob. I agonized over the same decision for my 410, and ultimately opted to shell out for the additional winches. Now that I have them, I can't imagine making do with only the cabin-top winches. This is especially true when there are guests aboard and the cockpit mysteriously shrinks halfway through the first gybe. There is a safety feature to consider as well: when offshore we will often fly the chute for an entire day, especially when reaching, and there are inevitably long periods where only the helmsman is in the cockpit. It's reassuring to know that if the boat begins to round up the spinnaker sheet can be eased without having to leave the wheel.
using jib winches will work
Bob, Having spent a small fortune on my 410 on other items, I elected to use turning blocks for my cruising chute and the jib winches. On a 410, this does not require making the spinnaker sheet run through the cockpit, though the sheet does traverse the coming. While I agree that it's good to have spinnaker winches, it's not really a necessity. You may elect to try it this way for a while--you can always add the extra winches later. Best of luck. Chris Webb s/v Grand Cru II
Bob, Having spent a small fortune on my 410 on other items, I elected to use turning blocks for my cruising chute and the jib winches. On a 410, this does not require making the spinnaker sheet run through the cockpit, though the sheet does traverse the coming. While I agree that it's good to have spinnaker winches, it's not really a necessity. You may elect to try it this way for a while--you can always add the extra winches later. Best of luck. Chris Webb s/v Grand Cru II
Thanks for the info
Thankyou Chris, John, Gordon Bryce & Bob. Your comments were very helpful. I'll spring for the winches.
Thankyou Chris, John, Gordon Bryce & Bob. Your comments were very helpful. I'll spring for the winches.
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