J-29 Spinnaker Setup

[Ryan Heaslip]

Hey,

I sail on J-29 in Burlington, Vermont on Lake Champlain.

Just wondering about light air spinnaker set up. Do most people have blocks amidship with twingers light air or do you just have blocks set up aft.

I have 2 sets of blocks. One aft and a block and twinger set up forward. I think sometimes the twingers are unnecessary downwind and may even be hindering performance. On Lake Champlain in Vermont there are many light air nights. I'm thinking the set up is more appropriate for heavy air.

Any thoughts?

[puddinlegs]

Blocks aft and twings. For the twings, use small light snatch blocks so you can take them off or attach as necessary. Light air sheets are also something you'll want to invest in.

If your j-29 is a fractional rig, you can also rig the twings farther forward, snug the twing on the guy side, and let it be your pole downhaul. This can work well so long as you're not dealing with power boat wake lumpiness.

[overbored]

Most of the J 29s I have seen have a T track that goes the full length of the rail so you can put a block almost anywhere.

[puddinlegs]

Originally Posted by overbored

Most of the J 29s I have seen have a T track that goes the full length of the rail so you can put a block almost anywhere.

Yep!

[mikehoyt]

I have a J/27 - we use a single set of sheets rather than a dedicated sheet and guy on each side. We run the sheet from the aft blocks thru the twings to the clews of the spin. The tweaker blocks are loght weight side opening blocks from HOLT. Mostly we use the twing on the guy and keep it pretty much eased on the sheet end except when gets breezy or in choppy conditions.

Not sure if J/29 is the same. Also our twings run thru a block on a car attached to toerail track as was mentioned above

Mike

[zz4gta]

You can use the holt blocks or furrels, or like small boats, just snap shackles. If it's really light, blow the shackle, the weight is gone. Easy to snap back on. The tweakers/twings should be run from the spinnaker sheet to a block at the toe rail near the widest point of the boat, and back to an easily adjusted cleat.

No reason to have 2 sheets and guys on a 29 footer, boat ain't that big.

[Sanduskysailor]

I have a 29 footer with a spinnaker slightly larger than a J-29 frac rig. Twings are the way to go. Hot tip on jibes with this set up. Ease the the guy twing block to the top of the lifelines and trim the spinnaker twing block to the top of the lifelines right before the jibe. After the jibe is complete trim the new guy twing block to the rail and release the new spinnaker twing block. You bowman will thank you. Trust me