asymmetric spinnaker gear for b40

[Samaral]

Hi,
I am thinking on buying a asymmetric Spinnaker for the next season. Unfortunately I didn't buy the boat with the optional Spinnaker gear, which I don't even know what is included. My question is: where can I attach the sail on the bow? I have a roller furling and one anchor roller. Is there a hardware I can replace the one I have my gennaker on it now, in order to fit both sails? What are my options?
Sergio

 

[Ron20324]

On the anchor roller, isn't there a hole on the centerline side? You'd want a block there for the tack line, then run it back to a cleat or cockpit. My B323 came with the genoa/spin package of the halyard, turning block at the base of the mast, a cabin-top winch, and a line stopper/clutch, and a turning block on the aft by the toe rail. Maybe your boat has dinples in the glass so you'd know where to put them?

 

[Samaral]

Yes, I think there is a role there, I was not sure if the anchor plate can take the pressure of the sail(is the backplate strong enough?)once they are not meant to support pressure on the up direction, but the other way around.
My boat came with the halyard(the guide line) for spinnaker and there is a cleat free on the base of the mast, the two rings on each side of the stern for blocks and there are two winches (gennaker) I can use.

 

[Jim21895]

In addition to what Ron suggested, I would recommend a winch on the starboard side cabin top if you don't have one.

On my B31, I have a block on the anchor roller and the tack line led aft through the organizer to a clutch in front of the port side cabin top winch.

DO NOT attache a cruising spinnaker to your jib furler. It is not made for those types of loads.

My halyard exits to starboard through a base block and then through the organizer to a clutch in front of a starboard cabin top winch. Rather than have the halyard exit the mast at the forestay attachment point, I ran the halyard to the masthead sheeves and added a tabernacle at the black band in order to get the head of the spinnaker above the forestay.

My assy is a 180 with big shoulders for running deep and is quite a bit more sail area than the typical cruising chute. So far no problems with the anchor roller.

 

[Samaral]

This must be a stupid question, but here we go: when we are flying the asym, do we need to control the tack line? Why not attach straight to the bow and just tack like the Gennaker? Getting the spinnaker tack up and down makes any difference? I mean, running a line aft to the cockpit make sense if I need to adjust the line, if not just connect to a block?
Again, sorry if I am being dumb, but this is my first time trying to use a spinnaker(asymmetric).
thanks,
Sergio

 

[Gunni]

Use of the tack adjustment - Asym spinnaker

Yes, you need an adjustable tack. You don't have to run it to the cockpit. You can cleat it at the bow.

Tight tack for a broad to beam reaching (like a genoa).

Ease the tack downwind, lifting the sail and keeping it filled.

The A-Symmetric spinnaker DOES attach to the furled headsail to keep it located on centerline.

 

[Samaral]

Gunni, how do you attach the spinnaker on the furled head without damage the head sail or put to much load on the furling rig?

 

[Ron20324]

Tight tack for a broad to beam reaching (like a genoa). Ease the tack downwind, lifting the sail and keeping it filled. quote]

I think you mean 'tight' for close, to beam reaching

 

[Gunni]

Tight tack for a broad to beam reaching (like a genoa). Ease the tack downwind, lifting the sail and keeping it filled. quote]

I think you mean 'tight' for close, to beam reaching

I wish I could go closer than a beam reach. However my a sail collapses closer than winds abeam. But yes, the further the wind comes forward, the tighter the tack.

Samaral: In addition to the tack line, the sail tack has a set of parrel beads on a lanyard that wraps the furled headsail. The beads act like roller bearings that allow the sail to move up and down, but keep it close to the forestay. ATN makes a plastic "saddle" that performs a similar function. Most of the sail load is held by the tackline, the forestay can easily handle the load imparted by the attachment to the furled headsail. If I were buying today I would go with a continuous-line spinnaker furler. It simplifies the set/douse and you just clip the drum on and hoist the spinnaker. Everything stuffs into the sail bag. Simpler

 

[Jim21895]

I wish I could go closer than a beam reach. However my a sail collapses closer than winds abeam. But yes, the further the wind comes forward, the tighter the tack.

Samaral: In addition to the tack line, the sail tack has a set of parrel beads on a lanyard that wraps the furled headsail. The beads act like roller bearings that allow the sail to move up and down, but keep it close to the forestay. ATN makes a plastic "saddle" that performs a similar function. Most of the sail load is held by the tackline, the forestay can easily handle the load imparted by the attachment to the furled headsail. If I were buying today I would go with a continuous-line spinnaker furler. It simplifies the set/douse and you just clip the drum on and hoist the spinnaker. Everything stuffs into the sail bag. Simpler

Parrel beads or an attachment to the furled jib are not necessary and are somewhat of an impediment. Among other things, you cannot unfurl the jib when the beads are on it. Unfurling the jib can be very helpful when dousing the spin as it will help collapse the sail. An unfurled jib can also be helpful in jibing when the wind is up since it will prevent wraps around the forestay. The attachment is not needed to keep the tack on center since good trim is most effective for that.

If you attach the tack line to the cleat at the pointy end of the boat, you will have trouble adjusting it on the go. The load on the tack is very high in any kind of wind, and I would recommend using a winch to adjust the tack.

 

[Samaral]

I like the idea of a furling spinnaker, but the question still remains. Where do I clip the tack line? I don't see anywhere, besides on the hedsail furling drum(there is a little sort of rail going around the drum). Is that place we are talking about?

 

[Ron20324]

I like the idea of a furling spinnaker, but the question still remains. Where do I clip the tack line? I don't see anywhere, besides on the hedsail furling drum(there is a little sort of rail going around the drum). Is that place we are talking about?

read posts 2 and 3.

 

[Samaral]

Thank you all very much! Now I can make an informed decision. I guess next season I will be flying a Assym spinnaker!! )

 

[bob_pattison]

Sergio,
Attached is a copy of an article we wrote for SAIL magazine...should answer a lot of questions for you.
The adjustable down haul...this certainly is great...but the sail needs to be designed to fly up and away from the deck...so you have room to downhaul it and flatten it out when reaching. In other words, do not buy a 'full hoist' type asymmetric (which is more of racing product).
You may find that just leading the down haul line aft to one of the bow mooring cleats is all you need...unless you're racing or don't want to go forward to fine tune the shape.
Bob Pattison

 

[mattkling]

I fly an asymmetrical spinnaker on my 361 that wasn't set up for a spinnaker originally. Once you get the hang of it, it is a great sail to have in your inventory. We usually fly it alone with no main out to keep things easy on the crew.

For cruising purposes I do not find it necessary to use an adjustable tack. I cut a tack line that reaches just above the bow pulpit, then fitted that with a quick disconnect shackle one end (make sure to use high quality, rated shackles). I tied the line to the tack of the spinnaker and the shackle connects to the hole on centerline in the anchor roller. Then I ran a spinnaker halyard using the guide line already in the mast and installed a cleat on the mast for that halyard across the mast from the originally installed ones for the main and headsail. I use quick connect shackles to connect the sheets to the sail as well. Quick to set up and take down. I agree with others here that the bead attachment to the furled headsail is not necessary.

Bought a cruising spinnaker with a sock from North Sails Direct (http://www.northsailsdirect.net) for WAY less than anywhere else I had it quoted. Even had a custom pattern done for the same price as their stock ones. Make sure to buy a sock as it makes launching and dousing a much simpler task.

 

[Paul Streicher]

I had the same concerns about attaching the asymmetrical tack to the bow roller fitting on my B40, but attached is Beneteau's document, for a B43, for attaching the tack block to the bow roller. It also details the rigging for the rest of the lines.

 

[Samaral]

Fantastic info. Thanks a lot.