Questions about spinnakers and blocks

[Dave20133]

I just picked up a cruising spinnaker for my Beneteau Oceanis 36CC. I have some questions about the blocks needed to fly this sail:1) What should the minimum load rating be for the tack block (that Iwould attach to the bow pulpit) and for the two turning blocks set faraft for the sheets? I have about a six-inch cleat with a backing plateforward near the anchor locker (used to take the stress off the windlasswhen we are at anchor). I'm assuming I can secure the tack line to itand then, after sailing a few times with the spinnaker, figure out if I wantto run the tack line all the way back to the cockpit or not. Is that agood assumption?2) Regarding the aft turning blocks - Given that my boat is a center cockpit andthe winches are set higher relative to the aft deck than on an aftcockpit boat, where does one attach the turning blocks? Can they beattached to the stern rail (not a stantion, but the actual stern rails)a few inches up from the deck? Is it strong enough? Does one install apadeye (with or without a backing plate?) on the aft deck somewhere? I do NOThave a slotted toe rail on the boat. It actually has about a three inch wide teak cap that runs the length of the boat at the deck/hull joint. Thanks in advance.Dave

 

[TJ]

Spinnakers and Blocks

Dave,I am going through the same thing with by 361. I contacted Ward Richardson at Beneteau and he emailed me the spinnaker rigging layout for my 361. Beneteau recommeds adding folding deck padeyes for the tack and sheet blocks and running the spinnker halyard to a rope clutch on the coach roof in the cockpit.As far as the tack line, Beneteau's approach is to secure it to one of the bow cleats as you suggested. I am running mine to a rope clutch on the coach roof in the cockpit. I may add an additional winch to service the halyard and tack line. It is usually just my wife and I so I am trying to keep as much of the controls in the cockpit as I can. You might want to send Ward and email or give him a call.TJ