Code 0 and Seldon bowsprit - Beneteau 393

[Indysailor]

It looks like there isn't a Beneteau forum anymore (I vaguely remember that occuring), so I hope this is the right place.

I'm interested to know how well this works in practice.
Seldon bowsprit, held by a circular bracket attached to the stbd side of the anchor roller, and an aft attachment point on top of the anchor locker. I don't see a bobstay.
I'm mostly concerned with how easy it is to deploy the bowsprit and generally get things ready to hoist. I've only worked with an existing bowsprit, so trying get a sense of how smoothly this all comes together underway. The system was installed by a professional rigger.

So, I'm looking for opinions or experiences with a similar configuration and whether it works well or is exceedingly difficult to work with, especially on a 393 or similar.

 

[jssailem]

You’re talking about a $3500 to $4500 piece of gear installed on the bow of your boat. Seldon has worked the engineering and if installed correctly no bobstay is required. Tack sheet runs through the pole, out the end on a sheave and attached to the sail tack. Use shackle or soft shackle for securing the sail.

If your code 0 is on a top down furler the process is simple. Attach tack, run the pole out into position, secure the pole to the pad eye, then halyard to head of sail and hoist. Run your sheets to the stern. Once set on course, unfurl the sail. Don’t rush. Take the time to assure fair leads on all your lines. The sail will grab the wind and the boat will surge forward.

I practice on a still morning setting up, raising and lowering (furling if rigged that way) the sail. Run through it solo or with crew several times so you build your skills and can correct the glitches that are bound to occur as you establish your procedure.

After several successful sets and recoveries, head out and try it in a light 3 knot breeze. Enough to fill the sail but not that much that you can’t easily maintain control.

Good luck.

 

[BarryL]

Hello,

Is your code 0 on a furler or not? If you plan on using a furler then I do think you need to have a bobstay. The furling units require a lot of tension for the torsion line to work correctly. I don't the sprit is strong enough to handle the tension when furling the code 0.

I have sailed on a number of boats with the selden retractable bowsprit. It works well and is easy to use. None of the boats with the Selden sprit used furling gear, they used the sprint with an asymmetric spinnaker and traditional set and douse.

Good luck,
Barry

 

[jssailem]

Barry . That has been my experience as well. I have seen the Seldon sprit used with TopDown furling. I have never sailed on a boat configured in that way.

I think that how you sail and the wind conditions (i.e. Racing), a bobstay sprit might be a better choice in that situation.

 

[Indysailor]

Thank you for the responses.
This code 0 does have a furler. I have not seen it set up yet and was wondering about a bobstay.
Secondly, I assume it cannot remain deployed if the boat is to be anchored because of it's position on top of the anchor locker lid.

Update: There is also an asymmetrical spinnaker but from what I can tell, the bow sprit was purchased with the code 0.