[C320-list] spinnaker - Tacker

[Warren Updike]

Bruce, when I had an asym. spinnaker on my C25, I made a string of parrel beads which is used in place of the ATN Tackker.  I did this at West Marine as they have all the parts, a large tool for swaging the fasteners, and a bench at which to do the work.  (I didn't want to spend the cost of an ATN device as I thought it too overpriced.)

First, I purchase wood spheres (I think the old sailors called them "beads") at a craft/hobby shop.  I think the ones I found were 1" in dia. and made of hardwood.  You may want larger ones for a 320; and maybe a dozen or more depending on size and length of wire.  I didn't bother to varnish them as they generally wouldn't be out in weather for very long.  Next, I drilled a hole through each large enough to accomodate a ss wire rope that may have been 1/8".  Measure the wire to your rig allowing sufficient to make an eye in each end.  At WM, use a ss thimble to make the eye, first sliding on a piece of heat shrink tube that will cover the bitter end of the wire.  Using the parts and tool, crimp the eye as close to the thimble as possible.  Thread the balls onto the wire along with another piece of heat shrink and make another eye.  Slide the heat shrinks tube in-place and heat with a hair dryer to secure the wire ends.  

I used a ss carabiner to close the ends of the wire aroung the furled jib and connect to the tack of your spinnaker.  The tack control line is also attached to the carabiner or to the cringle at the tack of the sail.  The wood balls actually roll quite easily over the jib if it is well furled. I've also seen them used at the top of the spinnaker as well.  

If you pass the control line through the carabiner then attach to the tack cringle on the sail, you may actually be able to let the sail fly with the control line passing through the carabiner and not have to remove the parrel beads.  As your point of sail changes, you may be able to haul the tack in again against the parrel beads

"Parrels" is middle english deriving from "apparel" or accessories that sailors would rig to allow tacks and clews to ride easily on a yard.  

It was a fun project to do and educational to me as well.

Warren & Pattie Updike
C320, #62, 1994, "Warr De Mar"
Frog Mortar Creek, Middle River
Chesapeake Bay