Hunter 37.5 Spinnaker

[Scott NIelsen]

I am looking to add a spinnaker to my 37.5. The mast has all the halyard and pole lift running apparatus. However, I cannot find a spot for the tack at the bow. Also, can I use any T-Track with a pole ring or should I go to US Spars and get their specific equipment. Any word of wisdom and pictures from anyone who has done this on their 37 06 37.5 Legend would be greatly appreciated.

Scott.

 

[kloudie1]

the old symmetrical spin is set "flying" on a pole, and does not have a tack.. The newer asymmetric ones are usually set on a bowsprit..
The Afterguy holds the windward clew on the pole end and is kinda like the tack. check out this "West Advisor" for the diagrams.. Spins are fun to play with !
http://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Spinnaker-Controls

 

[Jackdaw]

Are you talking about a symmetrical spinnaker? It sounds like it, but you also mentioned 'tack at the bow'. That's asym talk.

But assuming you are indeed talking about a sym, then yes you will need a track on the MAST for the pole. Even if you didn't plan on adjusting the ring position, the track helps spread out the compression load of the pole. Small boats can get away with a simple ring. Not a 37 footer.

You can use any make of gear, but get one designed for the purpose. Make sure your ring car fits the track, and the mounting hardware is low profile as you you do not want it rubbing against internal halyards.

Oh, also make sure that you do not have a wire conduit on the forward face of your mast!

 

[Scott NIelsen]

Thanks for the responses. I failed to mention I was actually looking for information on a cruising spinnaker with a tack and not a radial. I have since realized my mast is an Isomat and Rig Rite carries the spinnaker gear. The mast is made for a car so T-track is not required. I ordered a spinnaker car and adjustment tackle made for it. I will have to drill 12 holes for the two turning blocks and line stops that are used to adjust the spinnaker car. It cost me $410. However I have learned over the years to just get the equipment made for your equipment and it is usually easier, better, and more cost effective when your done. As I intend this to be my retirement boat I and tending to do as much of it (any upgrades etc.) using equipment designed for boats equipment if I can get it and it usually turns out to be much easier in the long run and I am not getting any younger. I was able to get a spinnaker pole and radial spinnaker and sheets off ebay cheaper than the price of a new pole, I was watching it for months and then made a low ball offer and it was accepted. I picked it up after attending the Annapolis Sailboat show. I have to cut the pole down 32". I really do not want the spinnaker. It supposedly was never flown. It came off a Beneteau 41. I am selling the spinnaker to anyone interested at what should be a very reasonable price. I have the cruising spinnaker off my old boat that has a sock and if I can figure out were to attach the tack I will use that one. Otherwise I intend to use the pole as a whisker pole.

Squatty

 

[Alan]

Scott, if you're dealing with an asymmetrical or cruising spinnaker then you don't need to waste money on anything associated with spinnaker poles and mast cars. None of this is use for flying an asymmetrical.
All you will need is an adjustable tack line that can be attached to your anchor roller, a spinnaker halyard and two sheets, that's it. Do not attempt to use a jib halyard for your spinnaker.
I went a step further and built a retractable sprit pole for my boat. This pushes the tack further away from the boat and allows the spinnaker to fly deeper angles without worry of the wind shadow of the mainsail.

 

[Jackdaw]

Scott, if you're dealing with an asymmetrical or cruising spinnaker then you don't need to waste money on anything associated with spinnaker poles and mast cars. None of this is use for flying an asymmetrical.
.

After reading his last post I assumed he was looking to create a mast mounting point for his whisker pole. But I could be wrong!

Nice looking sails BTW.

 

[Scott NIelsen]

Jackdaw is pretty much correct as far as pole mounting hardware and I have a handle on all that. I was just hoping to to get information on what other owners of the same or similar Hunters did as far as spinnaker attachment points for an asymetrical spinnaker. I am experienced with both types of spinnakers, radial and asymetrical. I prefer asymetrical. My previous Hunters had a hole in the stem hardware for the attachment of a block or pennant for the tack of a gennaker or cruising spinnaker. My present 37.5 does not and the furler is recessed in the anchor well. I was not sure the ring out on the end of the anchor roller was or is robust enough for the forces imparted by a spinnaker. I do appreciate the picture. Would be interested in viewing some pictures of your bowsprit and how you attached it. I have considered this and like the idea. Thanks you for all the responses. I received my pole mouting harware yesterday and hoping to get it attached this weekend. The pole is mostly for poling out the jib and not the spinnaker. It is a big pole as the boat is big and the hardware is to help get it up and hold it wen the jib is poled out.

Squatty

 

[Rick D]

The ring should be fine and over the years I have seen many .5 series legends with the A-sail tacked there. One note tho, a friend did so with a furling A-sail and found the anchor roller was beginning to lift since it's engineered for a downward load. This was after 2500 ocean miles. His fix was to run a bobstay from the roller to the mooring D-ring. i suspect you wouldn't notice this in casual sailing and races, but its an easy fix.

 

[Scott NIelsen]

I mounted the Ring and adjustment blocks this weekend. Just need to go try it out before the winter closes down the sailing here in southern Chesapeake Bay. I have both a "A" spinnaker (asmall one from my Hunter 320) and the Radial spinnaker I got with the pole. I need to see if it Ok to use as far as size goes. Will try both out and most likely sell the one of them. Thanks for all the posts.

Squatty

 

[ben solomon]

Alan and Scott,
Do you have any pictures you could share?

Ben

 

[Scott NIelsen]

Ben,

I will try and get some pictures of the ring and adjustment blocks tomorrow.

Squatty

 

[ben solomon]

I use an asym spinnaker with a tacker. Not the answer to your question, but the ease of it allows me to use the chute often and keep my family on the foredeck hanging out.

Ben

 

[Scott NIelsen]

Here are the pictures I said I would take of the spinnaker ring and lift supplied by RigRite made for the Isomat mast on my Hunter 37.5 . When installing it a few marina friends came over to see what I was doing. Two of them have Hunter 31's with the same spinnaker car (made for their size mast). The difference in application is they are using the spinnaker pole lift to raise the ring. I need the pole lift for my pole as it is a 3" dia. pole and I need the spinnaker halyard for the spinnaker. Hope you like the photos.

 

[ben solomon]

Very nice! I was wondering what that "track" was for on the front of the mast! Now I know! Nice bowsprit, too!

Here's my spinnaker pole:

http://youtu.be/hH3LtLCVObU

And another shot just drifting downwind

http://youtu.be/Nc-TUvJNh8o

Thanks for the photos!

Ben

 

[ben solomon]

Port lights

I noticed in your picture that the port lights forward of the mast have hinges. Did your boat come with those, or did you add the hatches? My port lights leak, and the admiral suggested I add hatches. Just wondering.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Scott NIelsen]

Boat came with the port lights. Belive it or not, they don't leak (knock on teak). Wish I could say the same for my opening lewmar port holes. I need to replace the o-rings in the locking handles and reseal the aluminum frames on the exterior.