Fixed or swivel snaps for Asy sheets?
- Thread starter Clark
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Tie them on (if you're talking about attaching the sheets to the clew.)
A metal shackle/snap/whatever on a wildly flogging clew of any sail can do major damage.
Tie them on (if you're talking about attaching the sheets to the clew.)
A metal shackle/snap/whatever on a wildly flogging clew of any sail can do major damage.
Thanks Rick but I intend to used a quick connect of some kind. The reason is to quickly attach and detach the sheets while racing. It may not sound like much but 30 seconds to untie the sheet from the rail and retie to the clew for Port and Starboard sheets then to do it again when the sail comes down is a long time in a race.
A number of years ago when I was racing a Seidelman 24 and Capri 22 I had these cool plastic snap (almost like a one handed dog clip) that I used to fasten the sheets to the chute. They were strong and were easy to hook and unhook. I don't know where I got them. If I think of it I'll let you know.
Clips or shackles on spinnakers are fine because, when turning, there is less chance they will be banging around the mast and shrouds as they would on an upwind sail. And as you mentioned it is inconvenient to have to untie and tie them when making your upwind and downwind changes.
That said, I see no advantage with a swivel clip. I have the hardplastic, light weight shackles on my light air sheets. No real advantage over the spring clips on my regular sheets other than the may be a bit lighter and are color coded. I like the clips because they can be operated one handed. Also... I have a pennant, or pigtail, on the asymetrical tied on to the clew with a big bowline loop on the free end for the shackles. I like it.... because it takes most of the weight of the lazy sheet off the sail and the big loop makes it easier to get the sheets attached.
My bad
If you've already made up your mind to use a single sheet.
I've done a few foredecks so I do understand what goes on up there. Having never been on one that used (or needed) any type of mechanical fastener for the sheet/clew connection I suppose I can't provide the input you're seeking.
My experience is somewhat different from that of some of the other posters so I hope I don't step on any toes by sharing my thoughts.
I stand by my original comment (though it may not help with your question) and having doused many spinnakers in unexpectedly freshening conditions I can assure you that a spin clew can beat you senseless.
In truly light conditions I hope it doesn't take 30 seconds to release a slippery hitch and tie a bowline. Also, if you're gybing the spin around the front at what point do you detach the sheet, when is it reattached and how is the clew brought to within reach to reattach? I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'm just trying to understand what you're suggesting.
If you're looking for a quicker process I'd suggest two light air sheets would be quicker, simpler and would provide fewer opportunities for something to go wrong.
If it's due to weight on the clew I doubt there would be more than a few grams difference between a snap of some kind and the weight of a spin foot's length of lazy sheet.
If you've already made up your mind to use a single sheet.
I've done a few foredecks so I do understand what goes on up there. Having never been on one that used (or needed) any type of mechanical fastener for the sheet/clew connection I suppose I can't provide the input you're seeking.
My experience is somewhat different from that of some of the other posters so I hope I don't step on any toes by sharing my thoughts.
I stand by my original comment (though it may not help with your question) and having doused many spinnakers in unexpectedly freshening conditions I can assure you that a spin clew can beat you senseless.
In truly light conditions I hope it doesn't take 30 seconds to release a slippery hitch and tie a bowline. Also, if you're gybing the spin around the front at what point do you detach the sheet, when is it reattached and how is the clew brought to within reach to reattach? I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'm just trying to understand what you're suggesting.
If you're looking for a quicker process I'd suggest two light air sheets would be quicker, simpler and would provide fewer opportunities for something to go wrong.
If it's due to weight on the clew I doubt there would be more than a few grams difference between a snap of some kind and the weight of a spin foot's length of lazy sheet.
To add a little clarity, I intend to use 2 light-air sheets. I have no experience in dousing a spinnaker w/o a sock so that remains an issue for me to deal with. Tying the sheets on would certainly save some $$ and if the conditions Saturday are as light as expected, I should have plenty of time to do the untie/clew tie before raising and another untie/tie after bringing it down. Oh, and it'll just be the wife & me I think.
I've searched for the plastic shackles but no one seems to have them anymore. Looks like Lewmar once had them but may have been discontinued.
Thanks for the responses; I'll continue to mull over my options.
I've searched for the plastic shackles but no one seems to have them anymore. Looks like Lewmar once had them but may have been discontinued.
Thanks for the responses; I'll continue to mull over my options.
Aha! I understand now.
Thanks Clark.
So you'll be managing your sheets sorta like the J-24 guys, attaching/reattaching before and after the set/douse as needed.
I'm guessing that since you're racing with just the admiral onboard and using a sock on your spin that you'll not be win-at-all-costs racing. I like it.
I'd imagine that snaps would work on a light air day but I also imagine they won't make any measurable difference in less than full throttle racing. Any time savings would probably be unimportant since you'd not be tying/untying during the heat of a gybe anyway.
Regardless, good luck and have fun!
Thanks Clark.
So you'll be managing your sheets sorta like the J-24 guys, attaching/reattaching before and after the set/douse as needed.
I'm guessing that since you're racing with just the admiral onboard and using a sock on your spin that you'll not be win-at-all-costs racing. I like it.
I'd imagine that snaps would work on a light air day but I also imagine they won't make any measurable difference in less than full throttle racing. Any time savings would probably be unimportant since you'd not be tying/untying during the heat of a gybe anyway.
Regardless, good luck and have fun!
having to tie/untie the sheets will be necessary if you change chutes, not just dousing. Then you'll want to attach the sheet to a safety line or something to secure it while you fuss with the sails.
Not that you asked, but have fun and experiment with different take-down techniques under different conditions/tacks with different crew members. There are schools of thought on this and lots of amusing Youtube videos to watch.
Not that you asked, but have fun and experiment with different take-down techniques under different conditions/tacks with different crew members. There are schools of thought on this and lots of amusing Youtube videos to watch.
I know you said assymetrical, but I'm assuming no pole, topping lift or any guys? Those will add significant weight to the clew. We use a pole/guys even for assym when racing, not when just cruising.
I think you will easily adapt to handling your spinnaker without the sock. Just coordinate the drop with your crew and you'll be fine. A lot of racers have a dousing line attached to the center point of the sail that allows them to control it right into the turtle. Your sailmaker can sew a fabric loop/patch on the sail for tying on the line. Needles to say, a very lightweight single braid is the way to go for this. It doesn't make any difference which side the loop is on... if the line is on the outside, once you get control of the center of the sail it will invert so you can stuff it in the turtle with the three corners on top. VOILA...
For general interest, look at the method racing dinghies like the 49er and high performance beach cats rig their asymetricals. The halyard and the dousing cord are one continous line from the sail's head to the spinnaker mast block down to some turning blocks then up throught the launch tube attaching to the center of the sail... Very cool... Pull the halyard to launch and the slack is run out the launch tube folloing the sail's center. Pull the douse cord to drop and the slack runs back up the mast as a halyard.
For general interest, look at the method racing dinghies like the 49er and high performance beach cats rig their asymetricals. The halyard and the dousing cord are one continous line from the sail's head to the spinnaker mast block down to some turning blocks then up throught the launch tube attaching to the center of the sail... Very cool... Pull the halyard to launch and the slack is run out the launch tube folloing the sail's center. Pull the douse cord to drop and the slack runs back up the mast as a halyard.
Clark...
others may have said it, but tie them on and spring for a second set of sheets for your normal headsail. On the race boat I drive, we keep the asym in a "turtle" on deck and lay out the sheets and tack line ahead of time for the race. The asym sheets are fed through their own turning blocks and are out of the way of the jib sheets.
Having to untie, tie, undo, and retie in the heat of a race, especially just after a close rounding is a guarentee for a collossal foul up -- don't ask!
others may have said it, but tie them on and spring for a second set of sheets for your normal headsail. On the race boat I drive, we keep the asym in a "turtle" on deck and lay out the sheets and tack line ahead of time for the race. The asym sheets are fed through their own turning blocks and are out of the way of the jib sheets.
Having to untie, tie, undo, and retie in the heat of a race, especially just after a close rounding is a guarentee for a collossal foul up -- don't ask!
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