Spinnaker

Posted By: Brian, Precision 23, Lake Lanier, GA
Date: 5/15/09 5:47a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: P23 Asymmertical Q (Don Charnetski)

I put my spinnaker halyard just high enough above the forestay to keep the spinnaker sock from fouling on the forestay. There are a number of P23s with masthead spinnakers, but on a fractional rig the top of the mast is above the top of the shrouds and forestay and isn't as well supported as it would be on a masthead rig. But the higher you go with the block, the bigger the spinnaker you can end up with. It's really up to you which way you want to go. If you're going to have a sail custom made, mount the running rigging first and give the measurements to the sailmaker. If you're going to buy a ready-made sail, talk to the sailmaker about where to put the halyard. Where you put the tack will come into play also. I have a small anchor roller on my bow, and I put a swivel block with a stand-up spring on it for the downhaul. It's worked well so far. The block I used is a Harken 40mm single carbo block w/ swivel #2636. It's more than adequate. It's attached to a K-40547 Forestay Hound from www.rigrite.com. I use 5/16" Sta-set for the spinnaker halyard. IMHO having super-low stretch line isn't a factor for a spinnaker halyard because you're not using it to tension the luff of the sail. You don't want super-stretchy line, but you don't have to go crazy with expensive low stretch stuff either. I leave the halyard up all the time. I'd rather spend a few bucks to replace it every year than have to put it back up whenever I want to use it. I probably wouldn't use the spinnaker as much if I had to do that, but this is another persoonal preference decision IMHO. I've got a spreadsheet that I put together when I bought my spinnaker that has all the parts, sources, prices, etc. for everything I used. Running rigging, sail, and all. Send me an email so I have your address and I'd be glad to send you a copy. The prices are about 5 years old now, but the part numbers and sources are probably still good.