What size of pole for Assy Spinnaker?

[pachakutek]

Hello!
I should be getting an Assy. spinnaker delivered soon, however my boat came with no spinnaker pole.
What size should I look for? Anyone has one extra? (SF Bay Area)

 

[DGA]

My 382 has a 3" diameter aluminum extendable pole, which is also pretty heavy.

 

[pachakutek]

My 382 has a 3" diameter aluminum extendable pole, which is also pretty heavy.

Thanks! What's the range on extension? I'm looking at a 14ft one, and wondering if it is too long, or whether it is fine.

 

[DGA]

I don't actually know, mine is maybe 6' per section, so less than 12'. I wish it were carbon, would make it half the weight to handle. But, big dollars then.

 

[Warren Holybee]

An asymmetric spinnaker doesn't use a pole. The correct size for a symmetrical spinnaker is 16'. A little too long is probably better than a little too short. I have a very lightly used symmetric spinnaker for sale, probably less than 1 hour total use. $500 in Sausalito.

 

[pachakutek]

An asymmetric spinnaker doesn't use a pole. The correct size for a symmetrical spinnaker is 16'. A little too long is probably better than a little too short. I have a very lightly used symmetric spinnaker for sale, probably less than 1 hour total use. $500 in Sausalito.

Thanks Warren!
I love to take a look at it. Maybe for the Sausalito Boat Show, would you be around?

And... how do I fly an Asy spinnaker on the 382? Any pictures, videos I can check out? (I race weekly in J105s, but never flew one on my boat yet)

 

[Warren Holybee]

I should be around for the boat show, that is just a couple weeks before I leave, so I would hope to have my sail sold by then. But if not.

There are a couple ways to rig an asymmetric. I think the easiest is that you attach a block to your bow roller, as far forward as you can. If you have a bail on your bow roller, that is a good place. If you don't have a bail, then you can attach a block to a short (3 feet) line. That line runs under the bow roller and to a cleat. Then you run your tack line through that block back to the cockpit. This lets you trim the tack of the sail. You will want the luff tight when you launch, but once the sail fills you will ease the tack line so the foot of the sail flies horizontal.

There is also a device called the ATN Tacker. It slips around the furled headsail. It is set at a height to keep the foot level, but holds the tack of the sail solid, instead of flying free on what would probably be 6 feet of tack line.

The other thing to be aware of (this is probably the same as a J105) is how the sheets are run. You can setup for either and inside or outside jibe. The working sheet goes straight to the block at the aft of the boat (as far aft as you can place it) The lazy sheet then goes either outside or inside of the tack line. Hard to explain, but an outside jibe, the sail will flip completely in front of the boat. An inside jibe, the sail will be pulled through the slot between the forestay and the luff of the sail. The inside jibe takes a bit of practice, but once you get it, works better and is less prone to turning the sail into a giant flag in front of the boat that is difficult to recover.

The only video I have is when I was testing flying a symmetric without a pole, as an asymmetric.

 

[pachakutek]

I should be around for the boat show, that is just a couple weeks before I leave, so I would hope to have my sail sold by then. But if not.

There are a couple ways to rig an asymmetric. I think the easiest is that you attach a block to your bow roller, as far forward as you can. If you have a bail on your bow roller, that is a good place. If you don't have a bail, then you can attach a block to a short (3 feet) line. That line runs under the bow roller and to a cleat. Then you run your tack line through that block back to the cockpit. This lets you trim the tack of the sail. You will want the luff tight when you launch, but once the sail fills you will ease the tack line so the foot of the sail flies horizontal.

There is also a device called the ATN Tacker. It slips around the furled headsail. It is set at a height to keep the foot level, but holds the tack of the sail solid, instead of flying free on what would probably be 6 feet of tack line.

The other thing to be aware of (this is probably the same as a J105) is how the sheets are run. You can setup for either and inside or outside jibe. The working sheet goes straight to the block at the aft of the boat (as far aft as you can place it) The lazy sheet then goes either outside or inside of the tack line. Hard to explain, but an outside jibe, the sail will flip completely in front of the boat. An inside jibe, the sail will be pulled through the slot between the forestay and the luff of the sail. The inside jibe takes a bit of practice, but once you get it, works better and is less prone to turning the sail into a giant flag in front of the boat that is difficult to recover.

The only video I have is when I was testing flying a symmetric without a pole, as an asymmetric.

Thank you for all the info! I do not have a bow roller unfortunately...
I looked into the ATN Tacker... I think I'm going to grab one - any drawback on using one?

And I will try really hard to go down to Sausalito before the show then. Right now La Flor is still on the hard... on that topic, any tips for things to do or check before splashing?
It's getting cracks fixed and bottom paint at moment (lots of spiderweb cracks around the torpedo tubes) - there was no zincs either, beside prop, where else do you put zincs on these boats?

 

[Warren Holybee]

I have never used the ATN tacker, but am considering picking one up. Or, I might make one. They are almost $400.

 

[pachakutek]

Yep... pricey, but I'd have to buy a pole, or a bow roller anyways. But it seems pretty neat and easy to mount/dismount.

 

[Warren Holybee]

I'm wondering, if I flatten and fold a fender in half it that wouldn't be almost the same thing?

 

[DGA]

I'm wondering, if I flatten and fold a fender in half it that wouldn't be almost the same thing?

Looks like it has a stiff plastic base, to spread the load out, then a strap for tension loads. For sure I'll make something like that for Island Girl.

 

[mpearson]

We have a furling Asymmetrical Spinnaker on Zia, made by North Sails.
We do use a pole, but it is to hold the tack out forward of the bow pulpit. The pole is about 6 ft long and it holds the tack about 3 ft past the tack of the headsail. I also needed to fabricate a plate at the top of the mast to hold the head of the sail forward of the mast. (Aka spinnaker crane) otherwise the furling gear gets fouled at the top of the mast.

The furling gear is by Selden, including a twin cam block. Makes it so that 2 of us can drive the boat and do the Spinnaker. Versus our old symmetrical Spinnaker, which seemed to need 5 people to keep under control

 

[Warren Holybee]

We have a furling Asymmetrical Spinnaker on Zia, made by North Sails.
We do use a pole, but it is to hold the tack out forward of the bow pulpit. The pole is about 6 ft long and it holds the tack about 3 ft past the tack of the headsail. I also needed to fabricate a plate at the top of the mast to hold the head of the sail forward of the mast. (Aka spinnaker crane) otherwise the furling gear gets fouled at the top of the mast.

The furling gear is by Selden, including a twin cam block. Makes it so that 2 of us can drive the boat and do the Spinnaker. Versus our old symmetrical Spinnaker, which seemed to need 5 people to keep under control

What you describe is a bowsprit. An Asymmetrical does work better with a bowsprit, but mostly I see those on racing boats, not cruising boats. I wasn't aware that all Morgans didn't come with a spinnaker crane. Mine as 2, one port and one starboard. That is absolutely needed if you don't have one.

 

[scupper]

I have a 3 inch x16ft adjustable . Used on my 382 I'm east of the Bay area. Make me an offer

 

[mpearson]

What you describe is a bowsprit. An Asymmetrical does work better with a bowsprit, but mostly I see those on racing boats, not cruising boats. I wasn't aware that all Morgans didn't come with a spinnaker crane. Mine as 2, one port and one starboard. That is absolutely needed if you don't have one.

Yes on the bowsprit - I should have called it that. Ours isn’t permanently fixed. We only clip it into place when we are flying the asymmetrical, and it blocks access to the anchor locker/windlass when in place. When not in use, it’s clipped to the life lines.

Warren - how far (roughly) do your spinnaker cranes extend? Our mast has 2 pieces of metal that I would consider more of a flange, that stick out only a couple of inches from the masthead. That wasn’t far enough forward of the mast to keep the new furling gear from fouling on the mast. Hence the need to fabricate one that held it out further.

I like your video, and the grabbing of the drone at the end. Always a tense moment when under way.