We’ve discovered that the JAM credit doesn’t nearly compensate us for not flying a
spinnaker/Asym, and in order to get in the game, we’ve got to start flying a kite (our local race series doesn’t have a separate JAM class. JAM boats get a 12 sec. credit).
Typical winds on the lake are 15 knots or less and seldom do we have dead downwind legs. This makes the Asymmetrical the most commonly used
spinnaker in the fleet.
The issue at hand is that my boat isn’t A sail friendly. Masthead rigged, only two sheaves in the truck (main and
jib halyards) and no deck hardware for the tack.
I’m getting conflicting advice on whether the A sail should be rigged outside the fore triangle, or inside. Either way, I have to get a block fixed to the mast and run a halyard external to the mast.
Inside the fore triangle would be easiest. An eye pad, perhaps, just below the forestay with a good block and
shackle. A block on deck as far forward as I can get, with a backing plate, for the tack.
Outside the triangle, as I see it, would be a bigger challenge. There isn’t any real estate above the forestay, so I’d need something on top of the truck. There I’m going to run in to clearance issues with the
VHF and anemometer. The halyard from the block to the
cleat (not so much to the head) might have an issue with the forestay if we need to jibe over to the other board. Also, I can’t get someone far enough up the mast where they could see while drilling into the truck, the work would have to be done overhead and blind. This is sure to result in a drill bit going through a sheave, pin or halyard, and with my luck, all three. And there is still the tack to deal with.
Maybe there is a better way to get the block above the forestay. Maybe everything will be just fine with the sail rigged inside the fore triangle. I don’t have the experience to make that call on my own and could use a little help. Maybe I’m missing something entirely. What do you think?