Spinnaker Tack Block Location

[Hartley18]

Do bear in mind that your pulpit will foul the spinnaker if you connect it directly to the anchor roller.

Some people connect it to a short strop that allows the tack to clear the pulpit, others make up a sort of mini-bowsprit that can be pushed through the bow fitting (without the anchor there of course) and others don't worry about it at all... but if you've got anything sharp sticking out (like a headsail shackle that's getting a bit old) you risk tearing it in a hurried gybe.

[Vitesse473]

My Beneteau 473 is rigged for both an asymm and a regular spinnaker. I opt to fly the asymm when I don't have a willing and capable crew of atleast 3 to handle the big sail, pole, etc. I attach the block to a hole in the anchor roller just forward of the headstay. This is a pretty large anchor roller with the headstay going right through it to attach to the chainplate underneath. It's all one piece, so it certainly looks substantial. I'm not an engineer, but I am very confident that it can handle the load. I haven't seen the Jeanneau 36, but I would guess it is pretty similar to what I have.

Selden makes a gennaker bowsprit to fly an asymm. It gets the tack out in front of the boat where it should be. Go to Seldenmast.com and do a search for gennaker bowsprit.

[TejasSailer]

Something else to think about is the bow bi-light. I ran the asymmetrical tack line under the bow-roller, and the bi-light lens was swept away. The remedy was installing two stainless steel u-bolts, one just above and one just below the bi-light.

[labatt]

Originally Posted by Hartley18

Do bear in mind that your pulpit will foul the spinnaker if you connect it directly to the anchor roller.

Some people connect it to a short strop that allows the tack to clear the pulpit, others make up a sort of mini-bowsprit that can be pushed through the bow fitting (without the anchor there of course) and others don't worry about it at all... but if you've got anything sharp sticking out (like a headsail shackle that's getting a bit old) you risk tearing it in a hurried gybe.

That's what we actually do... a block is connected to the roller and we run a tack line through it. The line is cleated to, well, a cleat and enough line is run out to clear the pulpit. This way, we can adjust the tack height to get a different shape if we want.

[CGMojo]

All good input.
I should have mentioned that I will be using an ATN Tacker that will be taking most of the load to the furled genoa. The tack downhaul block will be adjusting the height of the Tacker on the genoa.
The anchor roller on the 36i is built for two anchors and it is substantial. It would work, but the lead for control of the tacker would not be as good.
I've lived aboard a new 36i in DC since October and I love it. Sails well, roomy for a 36, nice head and separate stall shower. I have, however had two bilge pumps (Swedish) replaced under warranty. Jeanneau USA has never contacted me to assess my satisfaction with the boat or the delivery process, which I find amazing in this day and age.
Thanks to all for the input!

[CharlieCobra]

I used to use the ATN tacker until a vicious puff bent my furler foil slightly. Now I have a block attached to the sprit at the base of the furler and fly enough slack in the downhaul to clear the furler drum. While this forces outside gybes, it worked great.

This is the setup.

[Hartley18]

Originally Posted by labatt

That's what we actually do... a block is connected to the roller and we run a tack line through it. The line is cleated to, well, a cleat and enough line is run out to clear the pulpit. This way, we can adjust the tack height to get a different shape if we want.

Just checking..

Charlie, just thought I'd say: You have a great setup and a really nice boat!!