[C320-list] Asymmetrical spinnaker sheets

[Irving Grunes]

Re the Tack Line for the Asym on Isle of Wight.

We have a cunningham/reefing hook that is reeved from the mast at the boom
the starboard cabin top winch.

When we want to fly the Asym, we pull that line forward to about the anchor
locker and outside the blocks for the mainsheet.
Since the hook is captured at the mast this is a big loop coming from the
cockpit winch.

We tie a double figure eight knot in the end of the loop to come up with a
loop at the end of the line near the inboard side of the anchor locker.

Then we reeve the tack line thru the block on the anchor bale and tie it to
the cunningham line loop at the anchor locker with a bowline.

This allows us to adjust the tack line from the cockpit.

Yes it does run in the air from the anchor bail over the cabin top. but its
easy to deploy quickly to adjust the tack from the cabin top winch.The knot
does rub on the cabin top, but we use the Asym so seldom, we are not
concerned with damaging the gelcoat.

This eliminates putting an extra line on the boat for only adjusting an Asym
tack.

Irv Grunes
Isle of Wight #851



On Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 4:43 PM, Denny Browne <dennybrowne at verizon.net>wrote:

> I run my tack line from the tack of the sail, down to a block on the anchor
> roller bail along the deck to a small bulls eye fairlead on the side of the
> cabin top near the bow, back to a second fairlead about half way down the
> cabin and up slightly to a cam cleat on the side of the cabin but at the
> aft
> edge. This arrangement allows for the most direct pull on the line to
> control the tack of the sail and, as a result, the curve in the luff. I can
> even run it to a jib winch if need be and ccasionally I need the winch.
>
> I use two sheets so I can easily jibe the sail on the outside of the head
> stay. I have a titanium snap shackle on each sheet, so it's pretty easy to
> detach one if the air is very light. This requires a spinnaker halyard, by
> the way. If you use a jib halyard, it wraps around the head stay a half
> turn
> when you jibe, and chafes the halyard and may damage the shackle. You can
> use a jib halyard, but then must jibe the sail inside the head stay. If you
> use a jib halyard, you probably want the attachment point for the tack line
> to be aft of the furling drum rather than on the anchor bail so the tack
> line doesn't end up chafing either. Also, in either case, an ATN Tacker,
> Parrel Beads from Neil Pryde Sails or that sailcloth strap from North Sails
> should be used to keep the tack close to the center line of the boat.
>
> The problem with this arrangement (in addition to the foredeck trip hazard)
> is that the fairleads are the same ones I use for the foreguy on the
> symmetrical spinnaker. There's a matching pair on the other side of the
> boat
> and the foreguy is double ended so it can be tightened or released from
> either side of the boat. Therefore, I like the idea of running the tack
> line
> outside the stanchions, and plan to do this at some point. I'm
> procrastinating the purchase of a hexaratchet block with fiddle and cam
> cleat along with a mounting point. I'd attach this hexaratchet block at the
> base of the stanchion in front of the boarding gate so it's not another
> trip
> hazard when boarding. I'd have the tack line run to it through two blocks
> on
> the forward stanchions. I like the ones that run the line outside the
> stanchions rather than inside, just because it's one less line to trip the
> crew.
>
> The blocks, if attached to the stanchions, need to be as close to the deck
> as possible because of the load. I've put considerable thought into the
> outside option, but you'd be well advised to check with a rigger to be
> confident that the stanchion mounting hardware is stout enough to handle
> the
> shear load applied by the tack line. I suspect it's fine, but I'm not an
> engineer and I'd want to be sure. The greater the bend in the line, by the
> way, the greater the load on the block and attachment point. The inside
> option is probably better and significantly cheaper. It works fine and I've
> yet to actually want to use the symmetrical and asymmetrical sails on the
> same outing. It seems this is an even better option if you use a jib
> halyard, as the turns in the line may put too much load on the stanchion
> base. Keep in mind, they're designed to stand up to pressure from the
> inside
> out, not from the outside in, which the tack line would provide.
>
> Sorry to be so wordy...
>
> Denny Browne
> A Cappella #935
> Redondo Beach
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Martin
> Raphael
> Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2008 11:33 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Asymmetrical spinnaker sheets
>
> I have a couple of additional questions:  Do you use two sheets or just one
> to save weight?  How do you run your tack line back to the cockpit...do you
> run it along the rail, much like the furler line, or did you rig some leads
> over the top of the cabin?
> Thanks
> Martin Raphael
> Rhapsody #108
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Denny Browne" <dennybrowne at verizon.net>
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2008 6:26 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Asymmetrical spinnaker sheets
>
>
> > You can use 3/8" Sta-set with little problem, but it can get a little
> > heavy
> > in light air, particularly if it gets wet. It's double braid polyester,
> > which absorbs water. That pulls the clew down and misshapes the sail.
> >
> > I use 10mm (about 13/32") Spect-set from New England ropes, but it's
> > discontinued. It's a spectra, or Dynema core with polyester cover.
> Spectra
> > (Dynema) does not absorb water. I stripped the cover for about 20 feet so
> > there is very little weight pulling down on the clew and way more
> strength
> > than the application requires. The stripped core is also far easier to
> put
> > an eye splice in. The result is that it'll fly in very light air
> > eliminating
> > the need for light air sheets, although I have those too. The 8mm
> > Spect-set
> > II would have been fine, but the 10mm is a little easier on the hands
> > because the larger size is easier to grip, especially when it's a little
> > windy and I found a screamin' deal from West Marine on it a couple of
> > years
> > ago. I find the 8mm to be a little stiff, too, but that may work itself
> > out
> > as a spinnaker sheet.
> >
> > West Marine has a special on green 8mm Spect-set II for 56 cents a foot.
> > The
> > 8mm Endura Braid is great, probably the best, but it's $2.43 a foot
> today.
> > Another spectra core option is Maxibraid Plus. Better Dynema core, but
> > also
> > discontinued and very hard to find. I built two 8mm spinnaker halyards
> out
> > of that stuff and it would be a wonderful, high strength very lightweight
> > sheet. If you can find it.
> >
> > By the way, if you're going to use a tack line, I'd encourage a vectran
> > core
> > line for that and lead it aft to the cockpit. The tack line takes a far
> > greater load than the sheet (as does the halyard) and you really don't
> > want
> > it to stretch. Spectra core is fine for that, but it should be a little
> > bigger than the sheet. The stretch probably only matters if you're
> racing,
> > but the light weight sheet will enable you to fly the sail and keep the
> > boat
> > moving in pretty light air.
> >
> > More than you wanted to know, I'm sure. Good luck with the search.
> >
> > Denny Browne
> > A Cappella #935
> > Redondo Beach
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> > [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of MARTIN and
> > SUSAN RAPHAEL
> > Sent: Friday, October 10, 2008 8:23 AM
> > To: c320-list at catalina320.com
> > Subject: [C320-list] Asymmetrical spinnaker sheets
> >
> >
> >
> > I recently purchased an asymmetrical spinnaker and am anxious to try it
> > out.
> > I need to purchase sheets for it and wonder what you might recommend for
> > type and diameter.  I will be sailing in the Puget Sound area, where the
> > winds are typically light.  What works for you?
> > Thanks,
> > Martin Raphael
> > Rhapsody #108=
> >
> >
>
>