J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment spinnaker rigging

We launch from and douse back through the front hatch, leaving the chute in the v-berth between launches. Sheets run outside life lines to aft end of cockpit. Original halyard ran to cockpit but a new cleat on the mast permits launch from foredeck.

Have considered double ending the pole controls to make foredeck adjustments possible, but not done yet.

I'll try to get some photos Thursday evening at a planned crew practice.

I looked at our setup dead down in a puffy 12-20 this weekend. Pole aft or forward, I there is no problem with the sheets barely touching the soft covers over our lifelines. I can't see why everyone bothers with the outside setup and twings.

We raced a doublehanded race with spinnaker last weekend, and out of necessity launched from the companionway. I was surprised at how well it worked. The only glitches were the difficulty pre-feeding the guy around the shroud, which was followed by a bit too much sail coming out of the bag prior to the hoist. Anybody have any tricks to deal with these issues?

On Rhapsody we have the pit person hold the spinnaker bunched in his arms in the companionway to control the amount that "flops around" during the prefeed - the human in the loop can grab or let out as necessary. It also guarantees that the spinnaker doesn't get caught on the halyard clutches mounted on the cabin top - that was a problem when we launched directly from the Layline bag. If you're doing double handed, this may not be an option since you're probably short of hands during this evolution anyway.

[This message has been edited by whk (edited 05-23-2006).]

Bob,

Where are your aft turning blocks located? Maybe they are a bit farther forward which would give a better angle to the clew/tack. Mine are a bit forward of the rear pulpit base.

David
#397

must give credit to Bob,
tried our spin-sheets last night on the inside of the lifelines whitout any problems, it barely touches the lifelines .
Only on a reach you might need a snatch-block on the rail otherwise the guy would chafe against the shrouds.
Our turning blocks are a few inches forward of the stern-pulpit/rail.

Blocks are in the standard location you describe. Definite need for a snatch block at beam for the guy side when tight reaching.

We were lucky enough to have a guy that had his own rigging shop so he made us up some spin sheets. We acutally run lazy guys and lazy sheets when the breeze is up. Its nice because you can keep the spin in tottal control during jibes and keeps your bowguys happy. It takes some time for the crew to get used to it but once you do, you'll never go back. The added advantage is you never have to worry too much about twings. Also the inside question is mute one because you run the guys outside and the sheets inside and your aviod the chaffin of gear

I'm thinking about changing the topping lift and foreguy on Rhapsody. We were doing the "J World" J/24 method on raising the pole. The topping lift is preset on the mast ring, bowman picks up the pole by the bridal, holds it by ring on mast, takes topping lift off mast ring and clips to bridal. The pole is pushed forward and is magically at the proper height without and need for the crew to do anything on the aft cabin. Sometimes we need more flexibility.

I'd like to hear some feedback from those who have put cleats on the mast (like how far down), double ended the topping lift & foreguy, and also run the leads aft for when a winch is needed to raise the pole.

• Double ended lead eye splice to snap shackle for topping lift, long enough to stow pole on deck with topping lift attached, but run back to mast along the pole for storage.
• exists mast to cam cleat on mast about 9" below topping lift exit plate and slightly offset so if desired, the cam cleat can be bypassed and use the aft cabin top cam cleats
• double ended lead feeds back on cabin top through topping lift fairleads and cam cleat, loops back through foreguy cam cleat and fair leads
• snap shackle tied on bitter end to connect to foreguy bridle on pole.

How does this sound?