[cghubbell]

Can anyone tell me what this fitting is for? Specifically, the circled hooks to the left of where my furler attaches. It's on the bow of my 1977 CS27, and so far I haven't found anyting to use it for. Yes, I'm new to this - it's my first boat so don't beat me too hard if its obvious!

I'm guessing something to do with anchoring? I've only sailed it from the dock, so that might explain why I haven't used it yet.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[14432]

Hooks like that are typically mounted at the gooseneck to accept a luff cringle/grommet when reefing the main (i.e. a new tack)

 

[saildork]

Looks like a reefing hook to me. Could have been used for reefing a hank-on jib/genoa. Just a guess.

 

[cghubbell]

Does that mean it's not a normal thing to find on the bow? It's a looooong way from the gooseneck if someone installed it in the wrong place

 

[Sabreman]

Agreed. Could also be for an asymmetrical spinnaker tack line, although I'd move the headstay to the aft hole and use a block instead of the fitting shown.

 

[cghubbell]

Aha, could it be part of the rigging for my gennaker? I haven't yet learned how to do that - I have the pole, blocks, lines, and sail, but haven't had a chance to figure out how to rig it yet.

 

[jjablonowski]

Attachment point for a furling-headsail prefeeder?

Just a guess, from where it sits.

 

[midnightsailor]

Those are headsail fast tack hooks used for attaching the tack of the headsail. They are usually found on boats which are raced to speed up head sail changes and for conveinience. Otherwise boats usually use a type of snap shackle or "fast" pin to attach the tack of the sail to the headstay chainplate. You may need this for your gennacker as you guessed. Rick

 

[mitiempo]

I agree with midnightsailor. It was standard equipment on the CS27, and although you have a furler, not all CS27s do (including mine)
Brian
CS27

 

[mikehoyt]

Midnight is right. I have furling gear and hooks. I use the hooks when using my non furling headsails.

Similar hooks at gooseneck of boom are usually for reefing.

Mike

 

[JohnRPollard]

Yeah, these guys nailed it.

Whoever installed the roller furling just left those original equipment tack hooks/horns right where they were. No harm in that. While you won't use them with the furled headsail, they might come in handy someday.

Definitely not part of the anchoring system, though.

 

[roline]

It is a tack hook for normal jennys/ jibs that would normally hank on.

 

[sailortjk1]

Ditto.
(Hey what the hell, I've got to say something this morning)