asymmetrical chute

[heart of gold]

It seems the search function isn't working or there is nothing on asymmetrical chutes in the archives? I just bought an aspin and want to fly it asap(no excitement here) and intend to fab up some kind of a bowsprit but until i figure it out I was wondering where the second best place for the tack block would be. I don't think the pulpit is a good spot for strength reasons. After researching the topic at length I think I vote for jibing the sail on the outside of the forstay. any thoughts? Thanks

 

[Don Crowther]

The search wasn't working for me last night.
I have run my spinnaker outside of the forstay with no problems.

 

[Bill Roosa]

jibing an asymetrical

The only way that I've ever heard/seen an asymetrical jibed is forward of the forestay. That would drive your selection of tack block location forward of the forestay also. I agree the pullpit is not a good solution due to strength. How about the anchor spirit? If it is strong enough to secure the boat it should be strong enough for a sail tack. Just need a way to keep it out of the mud when not in use. I'm planning on adding an asymetrical this winter and am just going to afix a strap to the anchor spirit which will take the tack block via a snap shackle. Just put it on as part of putting the asymeterical up so it does not get wrapped up in the anchor rode when not in use.
FWIW

 

[Bill Murray]

run a downhaul line forward from the cockpit -- under the anchor roller - up to the tack of the sail -- not as far forward as ideal but it works and allows adjustment of hte tack height and luff tension.

 

[HiHo Silver]

Ayso

It seems the search function isn't working or there is nothing on asymmetrical chutes in the archives? I just bought an aspin and want to fly it asap(no excitement here) and intend to fab up some kind of a bowsprit but until i figure it out I was wondering where the second best place for the tack block would be. I don't think the pulpit is a good spot for strength reasons. After researching the topic at length I think I vote for jibing the sail on the outside of the forstay. any thoughts? Thanks

Definitely prefer jibing ayso forward of the forestay. I run my tack line from the bow anchor roller which extends forward of the bow pulpit. Be sure your running lights don't get in the way.

 

[Alan]

...also make sure you're not using a genoa halyard as a spinnaker halyard. A jib/genoa halyard will chafe through in no time. Spinnaker halyards always ride outside the forestay.

Here's a pic of the sprit I built for my boat.

 

[heart of gold]

Bow Sprit

Thankyou everyone, that was better than a search anyway. Allan, I like your sprit. I have a 13ft chunk of sched 40 aluminum in the garage that I am hopeing to adapt as a bowsprit. Any chance of more pictures of yours, up close? I'd like to see how you attached it to the deck. It must be retractable? Thanks, Ian

 

[Alan]

Ian, that's exactly what I used. I bought a 20' length of 4" schedule 40 and cut a 9' piece for the sprit. The inboard end is a Malron spinnaker pole trigger release. It attaches to a pole chock on the toerail for stowing and another mounted just aft of the anchor locker when deployed. The forward mount I designed and built from T6061 aluminum. It articulates to allow the sprit to clear the anchor locker.

 

[stephen Penny]

I run my rigging on the outside of the forestay with an ATN tacker and it works really well.

 

[heart of gold]

Allan, that is a very clever setup, gets the wheels turning here. I flew the chute last week from a piece of webbing wrapped on the anchor roller just to see. It was great. I can see how the sprit is going to work that much better. Nice looking aspin Stephen. Cheers, Ian

 

[Dan Johnson]

Hey Don...

you starting your own navy up there? :dance:

 

[Connected]

I run my rigging on the outside of the forestay with an ATN tacker and it works really well.

Hi Stephen

I am about to order an ATN Tacker for my H39 and am interested in your setup. How do you rig the downhaul on your tack line? Do you run a line back to the cockpit?

Cheers, Peter

 

[stephen Penny]

Peter,

ATN tacker works great since it comes with the appropriate clips and floats if it falls in the water unlike the parallel beads I purchased (they sink if they slip out of your hands and fall into the water). The tackline either can be lead from the tack of the sail, through a block as far forward on the bow as you can get it (I use the bow roller), and then back to the bow cleat (this is what I do) or all the way back to a cockpit cleat, with enough purchase that you can adjust it under load. The benefit of bringing it to the cockpit is that you can adjust the height of the tack off the bow, otherwise if tied off at the bow you have to set its length based on wind speed. Things will be simplest of you plan to hoist the sail on the same side of the forestay as you led the tack line. Tie off the tackline with enough slack that the tack of the aspin will be able to fly several feet above the bow. I do not run mine to the cockpit since I did not purchase that extra line and it works fine tied off at the bow with a short line. Suggest setting up the aspin at the dock.

Cheers, Steve

 

[Alan]

The major issue with the ATN Tacker is that it prevents the tack from floating out away from the bow. This forces the sail to fly closer to the windshadow of the main restricting how far off the wind you can sail. The main reason for a sprit is to increase separation between the main and flying sail as much as possible allowing it to fly on deep reaches in clear air.

 

[Allan Emas]

It seems the search function isn't working or there is nothing on asymmetrical chutes in the archives? I just bought an aspin and want to fly it asap(no excitement here) and intend to fab up some kind of a bowsprit but until i figure it out I was wondering where the second best place for the tack block would be. I don't think the pulpit is a good spot for strength reasons. After researching the topic at length I think I vote for jibing the sail on the outside of the forstay. any thoughts? Thanks

I a bit curious as to what model boat you’re in reference too? I have a 38 and actually have a good time when we haul up the asymmetrical. The point of contact that I have used for the first two years was the anchor roller with a Garhauer bail. Then I went to the Seldon PA system that I mounted to the anchor roller. With this system I am able to extend the pole out 36" past the end of the roller. This way I’m able to create clean wind and able to jibe. When I'm not using it I remove the 3" dia pole and stow it.
Please feel free to email me any question on the Hunter line up allan.emas@gmail.com