Asymetrical Annoyance, final chapter

[Scott Blahnik]

This is a follow-up to my original post re the purchase and installation of an asym. on my 260. I received lots of tips from this site, and wanted to report my results for the archives. ( hence the length of the post, I could have used this info) I ordered the spinnaker from the chandlery, and a "kit" from Hunter Marine. The kit came with:1) a halyard (black) with a clip on the end. This turned out to be the biggest challenge. I tried threading it through using the convenient feeding line to no avail. The bulge created by the whipped knot just wouldn't go through the narrow opening near the top of the mast, so I purchased a bosun's chair, had my brother -in-law crank me up there, and still couldn't force it through! Eventually we stripped the halyard and we able to create a continuous line with no bulge using tape.2) Two blocks which attached easily to the stern seat rails.3) Two sheets for the clew which I just tied on, but considering a clip arrangment. 4)They sent me a double rope clutch to replace the current one, but that wasn't right, I needed a triple. They (Greg at Hunter) kindly swapped it out at no additional charge. I installed it using the same four holes left from when I removed the double ( had to use a crow bar after removing the screws). The triple has six holes, so rather than tap two more holes, I just used the four. Seems good enough. Those screws go deep into metal, real solid.So, finally got to try it all out yesterday. Had a bit of trouble at first (which end up?)...finally attached the Tack (it's labeled) to the pin on the bow roller, raised it up, pulled on the pulley system which operates the sock, and poof, beautiful!Only thing is, I got lines everywhere. I'm holding onto the pulley lines, or it slips down and douses it...I've got crew holding both sheets with very little space to cleat them off, everything is taken, but well worth all the trouble. I'm thinking of attaching a large cleat to the base of the mast...but that line for the pulley system is really thick for tying off, and it makes a continuous circle...could use a hint here if anybody has the experience.Thanks,Scott s/v Hello Dolly

 

[Ray Bowles]

Scott , Why not drop the mast to do this? nm.

nm.RayS/V Speedy

 

[Jim]

spinnaker

try this site for infowww.atninc.com/tacker.html

 

[Doug T.]

Cleat

Yep, you need a cleat on the mast to tie off the sock hoist line. It might also be worth your trouble to replace the line with something that has a smaller diameter. My sock has some thick, cheap, POS, three-strand junk. I keep meaning to replace it......

 

[Scott Blahnik]

Thanks, my last comment:

Thanks for the responses. Ray, re dropping the mast: seems that would be a major hassle-would have to have the boat taken out of the water...even then I would still have had the problem of trying to stuff that line into that little slot. The bosun's chair was actually cheap and effective.Doug T:re: the cleat-how do I install it? I was able to pull off the entire job without drilling/tapping holes...could I use the mast itself? As a further complication I have to install some bolts that are supposed to prevent major structural damage in the event of a dismasting (as part of a manufacturer's recall). Maybe I can use those to hook up a cleat to?Jim: I checked out that site and I'm interested for sure. Have you tried it out? I'm wondering about that downhaul...another line leading aft doesn't appeal to me too much right about now, like I said, I'm about lined out! Maybe I could just attach it (the tacker) to the bow roller like I do now,with some sort of adjusting mechanism (like they have on tow lines, where you can make it longer or shorter)

 

[Doug T.]

Installing a cleat

Drilling holes in your mast can be traumatic, but you won't hurt it.You might be able to use the bolts. Depends on where they are and if they'll fit through a cleat's mounting holes.The load on this particular cleat won't be very high, so if you REALLY don't want to drill a hole, maybe your can figure a way to strap it down with a big hose clamp that goes all the way around the mast?(If you do that, be sure to put some kind of caulking or backing between the aluminum mast and the SS clamp, though -- otherwise you'll get an ugly and permanent galvanic corrosion ring on your mast.)

 

[Scott Blahnik]

Thanks, Doug

I will post what I've tried, for the next soul who may look this up in the archives.