Has anybody considered fitting a retractable pole bowspit for ease/efficiency of flying a genneker or spinaker.
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Oh yeah
Yep, considered it, but haven't had the time to try it out. I'm a real cheapskate so I will not go out and have anything custom made. What I am thinking of trying is the upper half of my 2 part alum. Windsurfer mast. With a block attached to the tip for holding and adusting the tack and a couple of straps attached to my fordeck somehow, I could stick this stick out about 4 ft in front, launching my gennaker from a bag clipped to the bow pulpit ahead of the forestay. In addition to getting the sail out in clear air, this would give me more room to gybe the monster. Of course my boat (F235) is a bit smaller than yours, but I've seen boats rig a long spinnaker pole the same way. If you do it, post some pics here. David
Yep, considered it, but haven't had the time to try it out. I'm a real cheapskate so I will not go out and have anything custom made. What I am thinking of trying is the upper half of my 2 part alum. Windsurfer mast. With a block attached to the tip for holding and adusting the tack and a couple of straps attached to my fordeck somehow, I could stick this stick out about 4 ft in front, launching my gennaker from a bag clipped to the bow pulpit ahead of the forestay. In addition to getting the sail out in clear air, this would give me more room to gybe the monster. Of course my boat (F235) is a bit smaller than yours, but I've seen boats rig a long spinnaker pole the same way. If you do it, post some pics here. David
Bowspit
David, Here is a temporary one I made using a piece of extruded Aluminium (actually a Harken roller furling section that is quite robust). It flexes a little but as the sail is a flat genneker on a roller furling drum intended mainly for light loads it should be ok to prove its usefulness. I plan to have one custom made out of Stainless steel or solid Aluminium. Anyway it is basically held by two stainless u bolts and 3/8 bolt. Nic
David, Here is a temporary one I made using a piece of extruded Aluminium (actually a Harken roller furling section that is quite robust). It flexes a little but as the sail is a flat genneker on a roller furling drum intended mainly for light loads it should be ok to prove its usefulness. I plan to have one custom made out of Stainless steel or solid Aluminium. Anyway it is basically held by two stainless u bolts and 3/8 bolt. Nic
Attachments
That's the idea!!!!!!!!
That is exactly what I have in mind. The only modification I'm considering is that instead of running it down the middle (slightly off-center to accomodate the headstay and anchor roller) is to have it attached to the port toerail, going over the bow at an angle enough to put it about 3 feet in front of the boat and the tip on centerline. This would allow it to be retracted, and out of the way. Unfortunately, I've got a number of other projects higher on the priority list. We'll see if this gets done or not. I'll post pics if I do.
That is exactly what I have in mind. The only modification I'm considering is that instead of running it down the middle (slightly off-center to accomodate the headstay and anchor roller) is to have it attached to the port toerail, going over the bow at an angle enough to put it about 3 feet in front of the boat and the tip on centerline. This would allow it to be retracted, and out of the way. Unfortunately, I've got a number of other projects higher on the priority list. We'll see if this gets done or not. I'll post pics if I do.
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