spinnaker set up and take down

CowbaySailor · #1 (**permalink**) 06-01-2011

I am sailing a 25 ft C&C. New to owning a sailboat and have some experience sailing over many year but not a lot. Been out on the boat over a few weekends now and getting the feel of her. Now I want to put up the spinnaker. I'm not to sure of how to rig it to put it up but have a good idea. How do you know what side the pole goes on ? Can the pole be switched to the other side ? Taking it down I have a couple more questions. Do you need 2 sets of sheets one for jib and one still for the spinnaker or can you switch the sheets from one to the other while jibing down wind ?

PaulinVictoria · #2 (**permalink**) 06-01-2011

Have a read of this and see if that makes anything clearer
Rigging the Asymmetrical Spinnaker

puddinlegs · #3 (**permalink**) 06-01-2011

I'm guessing the OP's boat has a symmetrical spinnaker. If so, I did a very quick web search and found this little vid for you:

Spinnaker Pole

watch the second video. It's labelled 'for racing', but it's all about the same. On your boat, you'll be doing 'end for end' gybes.

How do you know what side the pole goes on ? To windward

Can the pole be switched to the other side ? yes, when you gybe

Taking it down I have a couple more questions. Do you need 2 sets of sheets one for jib and one still for the spinnaker or can you switch the sheets from one to the other while jibing down wind ?

You need a set of jib sheets, and a separate set of spinnaker sheets. The spinnaker sheets will be quite a bit longer. There are a number of sail trim books around that will cover the nuances of spinnaker trim, setting, take down, gybing, etc... with overviews of running rigging.

PaulinVictoria · #4 (**permalink**) 06-01-2011

In that case I just confused the cr*p out of him

jackdale · #5 (**permalink**) 06-01-2011

I am going to guess at 25 feet the pole is an end-for-end, not a dip pole.

Spinnaker Jibes – UK-Halsey's Encyclopedia Of Sails

jackdale · #6 (**permalink**) 06-01-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by CowbaySailor

I am sailing a 25 ft C&C. New to owning a sailboat and have some experience sailing over many year but not a lot. Been out on the boat over a few weekends now and getting the feel of her. Now I want to put up the spinnaker. I'm not to sure of how to rig it to put it up but have a good idea. How do you know what side the pole goes on ? Can the pole be switched to the other side ? Taking it down I have a couple more questions. Do you need 2 sets of sheets one for jib and one still for the spinnaker or can you switch the sheets from one to the other while jibing down wind ?

Check the UK web site for a diagram on rigging for a spinnaker.

The pole goes on the windward side. On a gybe:

Go downwind.
Square the pole to the wind
Adjust both sheets/guys for downwind
Release the pole from the mast (you may have to ease the downhaul/foreguy)
Attach the old mast end to the other sheet which will become your new guy
Release the pole from the old guy, which will be your new sheet
Attach the pole to the mast
Trim the sails

The spinnaker sheets are dedicated to the spinnaker. They should run outside of lifelines and shrouds through blocks near the stern.

CowbaySailor · #7 (**permalink**) 06-01-2011

Hey thanks for all the good info from everyone, I will be all right now. It all makes sense so look out for a green hull with a red spinnaker !
Thanks again.

JordanH · #8 (**permalink**) 06-01-2011

I bookmarked this after I posted this link in a similar spinnaker discussion on sailnet.
http://j44resolute.com/coachscornerpage.html

I think you'll find everything you need to know to take you to an expert level detailed there.

You may wish to go out with someone who has experience flying a spinnaker before you attempt it by yourself.

puddinlegs · #9 (**permalink**) 06-01-2011

yep. end for end, no guys, just sheets.

jackdale · #10 (**permalink**) 06-02-2011

For the take down, there two possibilities.

1) In light air, blanket the spinnaker with the main, lower the halyard and stuff the spinnaker back into the bag. Leave the sheets attached, but remove the halyard and stow it on the pulpit.

2) In heavier conditions, release the shackle at the pole, lower the halyard and bring the sail under the main and stuff it down the companionway. Repack the sail below.

Have fun with it.

From your name I suspect you are in Cowichan Bay.