First 30E spinnaker sheet setup

[shyamh]

good morning ladies and gents,
I'm starting to figure out the spinnakers on my recently purchased first 30E (1984). Two spinnakers, pole and halyard -- but it's unclear to me how the previous owner may have run the spinnaker sheets to the aft deck and cleats and or winches. There is no obvious hardware on deck that would be for this purpose.

Can you share info about how you do it? Photos would be great.

Thanks in advance.

shyam

 

[Jackdaw]

It needs a decent-sized turning block back near the stern pulpit. If there is one (or a solid D-ring to mount one), you're golden. Because your boat has slotted toerails, the PO might have used blocks that clip to the slots. Often taken off after each use. Look below.

Because of the shape of your hull, your boat would be better suited with lazy sheets and guys, with the guy block mounted just aft of the beamest point on the boat. Besides being easier on the crew, it will save you from bending lifeline stanchions while reaching.

 

[shyamh]

Yes there are tons of blocks below. Looks like the PO was collecting all sorts of hardware nothing permanent on the rails or deck though

On the starboard toerail, there is a block attached at the beamiest point, so I assume that's what that is? Shouldn't I need one on each side though?

 

[Jackdaw]

Yes there are tons of blocks below. Looks like the PO was collecting all sorts of hardware nothing permanent on the rails or deck though

On the starboard toerail, there is a block attached at the beamiest point, so I assume that's what that is? Shouldn't I need one on each side though?

Yes, I'm guessing that is a block for the starboard GUY.Need one on both sides. Still need two blocks just like it (maybe a bit bigger) on the toerail near the back for the sheets.

 

[shyamh]

Thanks jack.

I don't think I completely understand what you mean by lazy sheets and guys (sorry, new to this). Can you explain? And what is the alternative?

 

[shyamh]

actually, never mind. I figured out that it means an extra set of sheet + guy

 

[Ron20324]

...On the starboard toerail, there is a block attached at the beamiest point, so I assume that's what that is? Shouldn't I need one on each side though?

Unless that block was somehow used for a spring line when in the slip?

 

[Jackdaw]

Thanks jack.

I don't think I completely understand what you mean by lazy sheets and guys (sorry, new to this). Can you explain? And what is the alternative?

Sure.

Most small-to-mid sized keelboats (20-34 feet) use a single set of sheets to control their spinnaker. The one on spinnaker side is called the sheet. The one on the pole side is name the guy (technically the afterguy). When you gibe, the names and roles change. Easy.

Bigger boats use a system of dual sheets and guys, each one dedicated. It's MUCH easier to gibe the pole for the bowman, as they do not have to wrestle with the tight, loaded sheet. They just clip in the 'lazy' guy to the pole. The guys come from blocks near midships. Sheets aft per usual.

Now average 30 footer can go either way, but for IOR-influenced boats like the 30e, the very narrow transom can cause issues when reaching. When reaching, the pole is all the forward, a straight line from your transom block to your forestay (where the guy meets the pole on a reach) is WAY inside your lifelines. See pic. A tight guy/sheet running outside your lifelines will press so hard against your stanchions they will bend. Dedicated guy blocks (and lines) solve that. Make sense??