J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Masthead Spinakker on J30

Has anybody tried a MASTHEAD SPINAKKER?
Is it worth a 12 second hit in PHRF?

I ran a tall .6oz. reaching spinnaker in phrf in Seattle with a lot of success. I also ran a 155 genny with a result of no change in handicap. I worked with Jack Christianson at North. I was told that a masthead chute would break the mast in a 12 knot hard reach. This worked well for 8 years. There is a lot of light air reaching in the Seattle area distance races. The sail went 5 feet above normal hoist to a strap and an external halyard. I also shortened the pole by a foot and ran a narrowed chute in heavy air. It was as fast as the class chute in heavy because the control was more comfortable.

I see Vic's old boat is now sporting a masthead kite. Cool

I recently bumped my hoist by 3 feet similar to what a lot of J/29 FR do. Still saving up for the bigger kite. Our masts are like tree trunks up to the headstay and then still pretty strong in the first few feet of taper. I haven't really worried about it, but no I wouldn't do a lot of hard reaching with a mast head kite.

I have found that above 8-10 kts of wind the boat speed is just as good reaching with a big headsail. I do want to get a used asym that I can fly off the pole for reaching.