[GeneHale]

We have an Evelyn 32-2 and is a light and pretty fast boat (PHRF 96). But our problem is that we always sail shorthanded (normally 4 and 2 over 60 years old). We have always sailed nonspinnaker have have been very successful in the fleet. So this year we want to go spinnaker and knew that if we did so, the decision would be to use use only an Akite. To facilitate this we have used a roller furling for our 155 and a snuffer for the Akite.

Whether we use a bowsprit in still being decided and we are testing out the cost of using a bowsprit over the permitted length. We think that the bowsprit is a necessity and plan on using the length that will give us the best advantage per penalty for length. Equally important is the your rules permitting the sprit to be articulated and by how many degrees. This would provide some fantastic speed improvement but you would have to make the sprit so it can be articulated on either side of course. We are also concerned as to the mounting of the sprit and I also agree that you should take a very, very conservative approach and anchor it the strongest way possible. The pulpit would be the last choice for us. Go for the waterline eye and make it strong as you can. The leverage that sprit will have that far out will mean some big pressures. If you err, built it too strong.

Good luck. Let me know how you do.