BLUEMOMENT

Up to now, I have been firmly of the opinion that spinnakers are the work of the devil but intend to have a go this weekend, weather permitting. (Where's that flying pig emoticon?)

I've got a radial head spinnaker with a swivel at the head and an appropriate halyard in place. I've got sheets with muckle great metal snap shackles and there are a couple of blocks on the quarters to lead them through.

I've also got a pole with an uphaul but no downhaul in place so my first question is how should the downhaul be rigged? Should it come back to the base of the mast or should it be further forward to the middle of the foredeck or to port/starboard depending on which tack we're on? Silkie has a babystay which complicates the issue further, no doubt.

I'm not too worried at this stage about the actual use of the beast (apart from a slight tic and minor staining of the grundies) since I have two experienced hands who are going to attempt to initiate me into the mysteries. Just want to make sure that I've got all the appropriate kit to hand although any other advice would be very welcome.

Silkie wrote:I've got sheets with muckle great metal snap shackles

I think that you would need to lose the snap shackles - too heavy.

Silkie wrote: how should the downhaul be rigged?

I just tied my block off to the central forward mooring cleat.

You also need a system of pulling the appropriate sheet down to a point near where the headsail sheet block would be - to turn that sheet into the guy. Maybe this what you mean by the muckle snap shackles. Mind you, I have seen someone flying a spinnaker with both sheet and guy running back to the quarters.

I'm sure that the man with the grey/green beastie will be along soon to keep you right.

You should have been trying this weekend, though you might have struggled to find enough wind to fill it.

Good luck.

Ash

(Where's that flying pig emoticon?)

Your wish etc . . .

Prob. a good place to attach the downhaul is wherever the babystay attaches to the deck.

Just back from the T&T for our slightly blackened tea after a surprise encounter with the Shards . . .

(hic)

ash wrote:I think that you would need to lose the snap shackles - too heavy.

Jist got a feelin' in ma watter that heavy shackles will not be a problem next weekend - unless they hit some poor unfortunate on the side o' the heid.

Nick wrote:Just back from the T&T for our slightly blackened tea after a surprise encounter with the Shards . . .

Just received a text from the ugly one (ma inbox wis fu') saying "Heading ker snd sat". Guess they didn't get much further today.

I would say leading the pole uphaul and downhaul back to the cockpit would be best as it has to get adjusted as you let the pole out and in depending on wind direction relative to boat position. This is more obvoius the further forward from the mast that you have the downhaul block fixed.

As has been said... much preferable to have the downhaul led back to the base of the mast, so that the geometry doesn't change as the pole is pulled fore or aft... and ideally led back as well so that it can be pulled down, or let up as required.... although on Silkie, it wouldn't be the end of the world if it wasn't....

Don't like downhauls led forward of the mast base, as when the pole is brought back, it dips like fury, straightening out the leading edge (luff if you prefer) and opening the leach too much causing the sail to become rather troublesome....

Wouldn't recommend flying a kite without a downhaul..... as they can sky.... and end up the wrong side of the forestay... result... one unholy mess....... don't ask....!

If its windy, then the shackles might not be such a good idea..... it can get a bit fraught on the foredeck... do you have a means to whip the rope ends if they are removed?

I always fly (flew - don't have a kite on my current boat) the kite without a hauler to bring the guy down, so both lines just led straight back to the quarters.... works OK for me....

I was relying on memory earlier but have had the sail out for a look and now I am worried - it's effin' ginormous. A correction first. It doesn't have a radial head but is the more primitive design with a single vertical seam where the horizontal panels point progressively more steeply down towards the central seam as you go higher up the sail. (Figure 7-11 if anyone has a copy of Looking at Sails.)

The bosun's bag is aboard unfortunately but I could whip the sheets directly on to the tacks/clews on Friday (after installing the new cooker of course) assuming that this is what you mean. The ss rings are pretty hefty themselves though.

Downhaul back to the mast shouldn't be too difficult to arrange although bringing it and the topping lift back to the cockpit might be more problematic. Some boats also seem to have a fore guy (?) leading towards the bow but perhaps this is only neccessary on bigger boats?

PS - Should I be laying in a supply of thin elasic bands?

I've never had to use the elastic band method. I prefer to hoist and lower behind the foresail or in front depending on how you look at it, or lets say outside the foresail. Once the kite is up and filled then roll away the foresail. For first time make sure you have plenty of sea room and not to much wind.

Booby Trapper wrote:make sure you have plenty of sea room and not to much wind.

This is not helping my jitters. Neither is reading Looking at Sails which casually mentions broaching as if this is an everydy occurence.

Then there's this kind of thing..

That's the new RCD test for watertight hatches....

Donald

I just wondered where we've got to on this - did the Cruise of the Silkie get all these fears allayed or would you be desirous of a wee bittie personal coaching?
Naturally - I am at my superlative best when flying a grey kite but at a pinch other colours can be managed.

As you know, I have often expressed a wish to benefit from your genius tutelary and have been rebuffed each time but as regards "where we've got to on this" surely you didn't miss my kilopost? Brilliant!

Nah - I didn't miss it - I just wanted to give you the opportunity to rekindle it.