rigging spinaker

[Bob Getchell]

I bought a 25.5 and it came with a whisker pole and a "spinaker" that the previous owner had never used. Ill describe the sail. It is in a sleeve that has a couple of hoops on it. Has a detatchable cheek block with it. The three corners are labled Head, Tack, and Clew, and there are lines attatched to the Tack and Clew. One is short about 10 feet long, too short to run back to the cockpit, the other is long like the sheet on the jib. The boat is not rigged with any extra halyards, winches, cam cleats, fairleads, etc. that would be used for a standard spinaker rigging. The whisker pole doesnt seem to have any place to rig a line like a topping lift or downhaul etc. Any advice on if I can use this sail, or would it be worth adding rigging to facilitate. The sail looks like great condition. Thanks, Bob Getchell

 

[Guest]

Try this

Hi Bob: First i would lay sail out and see if it's an aysmetrical. If so,you will need a separate halyard to fly it. The short line is probably a tack pennant, which should attach to bow deck fitting(perhaps with a schackle block for adj.) outside of pulpit. clew line should go back to turning block on toerail to rear of sheet winch. Locate so sheet pulls luff evenly.The sleeve should have its own cover and uncover system. However if it's symetrical, never mind. You have a great boat, almost bought one 'til I found my H27.

 

[Dick Vance]

The A Sail

Hi Bob,This is an assymetrical spinnaker with a dousing sock. It is very useful for reaching and can add a real boost from a broad reach up past a beam reach.The sail can be flown 2 ways; 1) from a jib halyard and rigged just like a big genoa; 2)from a spinnaker halyard in front of the forestay but that would require some extra rigging.Since you don't have extra rigging, you can use your jib halyard to raise the sail, use the line controls to pull the sock up, cleating the control lines off at the mast. The tack needs to be lead through a block at the bow so that the tack can be raised for sailing off the wind and lowered to flatten the sail for reaching up. You can cleat it off at the anchor cleats or use a longer line to run it to the cockpit, which is would be preferable.You need two sheets, lead outside the lifelines to blocks on the toe rail at the stern. Run these to your winches just as you would a genoa sheet. You shouldn't tack upwind except in very light air and then you would need a crewman to help the sail through the foretriangle to avoid tangling.The pole isn't really necessary but can be used when sailing off the wind in light air to keep the sail extended.Here are sites with info on flying the A-sail that that may help:http://www.doylesails.com/sails-flyapc.htmhttp://www.sailnet.com/collections/gearandmaintenance/index.cfm?articleID=hancoc0010http://www.uksailmakers.com/encyclopedia.htmlHTHDick VanceH-25.5 "Honey Bear"

 

[Bob Getchell]

Thanks again Dick Vance

That gives me some great information. I thought this may be what you were describing. The spinaker systems Ive seen would require alot of work for having the wrong sail. Thanks, again, Bob