Spinnaker/Genoa for H260 Water Ballast?

[Tom McGinnis]

I am considering buying a H260 water ballest model, and have a couple of questions:1) Has anyone purchased a spinnaker for this boat, and what has been the experience? Where did you purchase it? Does the halyard attach at the masthead, or lower? How far up into the wind can you sail with it? 2) Can a jib larger than the 110 be used? What size? What is the wind range it can be flown in? Were any modifications required?3) Has anyone ever had any problem with the open transom in following seas?

 

[Ron Mehringer]

Open Transom

Regarding your question about the open transom, checkout the following thread on this subject from The Trailer Sailor web site.  http://www.cruisecortez.com/webbbs/trailersailor/index.cgi?read=53049I don't have much experience, but I like the concept. Yes water can enter, but more importantly it can exit unimpeded.Ron MehringerH26 Hydro-Therapy

 

[Mike Pajewski]

Cruising Chute for 26/260

Tom,This comes up eevery spring. Two years ago I installed a cruising chute and halyard on my 26 (basically the same boat) including the spinnaker blocks. It was an afternoon job in the driveway. I bought a 165 Spindrifter from JSI, they also sold me all the hardware for installing the halyard. I installed the halyard exit sheeve about a foot above the forestay. This seemed to match the drawing in the owner's manual. I would probably go up another 6 inches if I were to do it again. I did not run the halyard to the cockpit as I use a Chute Scoop for furling the sail and it must be operated from the foredeck. I installed the blocks and diamond padeyes in the coaming and use the mooring cleats to tie off the sheets. The tack ties off to the bow mooring cleat and I use a tack strap. This arrangement will let me sail with the chute from a broad reach to almost forward of the beam (very light wind) and makes a significant difference in light air. It can be a handfull when the wind pipes up. See the picture in the HOW owner's photo album. We are flying our spinnaker on the Mississippi.Mike PajewskiH26 "Loon"