Spinnaker

[Toolittletime]

I have an opening about 5 ft up my mast that is labeled spinnaker. There is a small pull line sticking out of it but I cannot find the other end if it. What would I need to do, from those who have done it, to get my mast ready to fly a spinnaker .
It's a 2002 380 with in mast furling.

 

[jssailem]

Have you climbed to the top of the mast? Check if the "pull line" is up there?
The diameter of the line in your image looks a bit large to be just a messenger line.

The wording gives the impression that the line is the halyard for a spinnaker. Someone may have pulled the halyard, and the sail end of the halyard is at the top of the mast. I say that as a SWAG.

How much line, in your image, is there on the deck at the bottom of the mast? If it is about 60ft of line, then my guess may be accurate.

 

[Toolittletime]

Sorry...that picture is the spare main halyard. Yes it is a small messenger line, and no I have no plans to go up the mast.
I will be having the standing rigging replaced next spring, so I am just planning in advance to do whatever I need to be able to fly a spinnaker, and thought to hear from someone here who has already done this.
Thanks for your reply.

 

[jssailem]

Ok. With this new information.

I rebuilt my mast on my 35ft boat. I designed the above sail and had it built for me. It is an Asymmeterical that required a new halyard, forward-facing spinnaker crane and block, attachment point on the bow for the tack block and tackle that runs to the cockpit, removable stern blocks for sheets, and lightweight spinnaker sheets.

Are there specific issues that concern you?

I would rethink the use of the labeled exit block as a "secondary main halyard" if that were the case on my boat. It is too easy for an uninformed crew member to become confused when you ask them to raise the spinnaker halyard.

 

[Toolittletime]

Thank you!
I think what I will need to do is this.......see if I am on the right track.
I already have an asymmetrical spinnaker ...like new...from another boat that I think will work on the 380.
I plan to have a rigger look at the mast this spring when I have the standing rigging replaced, to see what needs to be added so
I can fly it. The mast currently has an exit hole, with messenger, about head height on the mast, that is labeled "spinnaker" but as far as I can see, no exit hole or block at or near the top of mast. It does have a block at the mast bottom, and a clutch that is marked spinnaker, but with no line/sheet in it.
I will have to mount a mounting point on the bow, and provide for blocks to get the lines to the cockpit as you stated, but that appears to be the easiest thing of all.
This sound about right?

 

[jssailem]

Pretty good.
You may find that the messenger line exits the front of the mast on a sheave. Since your mast is rigged as a fractional sloop, the messenger should be there, tied with a stopper knot. At least I hope so. It would be a lot easier.

If not no worries. With the mast down you can rethread the lines as needed without much difficulty.

 

[Toolittletime]

I need to get my binoculars and see if I can spot it at the upper mast.
Thanks for the replies......I will post again when I have this resolved, for others.

 

[TBSailor260]

Mine exits the mast forward just above the forestay as John suggested above. I have a ring on a short T-track head high on the mast where the shackle connects when not in use. There should be a turning block at the mast foot to lead it under the deck and back to the cockpit.

 

[Toolittletime]

Yes I have the block at mast foot, and a clutch marked spinnaker. Need to get my binoculars and check it out.
Thanks!