zoidberg
Well-known member
I have a question to put to you, which has been nagging for attention for quite sometime.... and I invite considered opinion.
For quite a while I've been tussling with a refurb, a 'project'... although it didn't start out that way. Now I'm looking at the sails inventory linked with the rigging changes, and I'm still undecided on one aspect.....
.....whether to fit a spi-boom and a furling asymmetric spinnaker.... or to rely for downwind 'oomph' on white sails, poled out.
The boat is a Cutlass27, just a little younger than me. She's quite narrow and relatively light at around 3.5 tons. I've fitted a Seafeather windvane gear, replaced all the rigging whether it need it or not, added a lot of better this's and that's - including an inner stay. There's a diagram below.
It's intended that ALL the foresails will be mounted on furlers.... including the demountable storm jib. ( I've talked that through with sailmakers and riggers, and they agree it is practicable - probably meaning 'This is something I'd like to see!' )
I'll certainly be buying a new genoa and a new 'Solent'-type jib for brisker breeze.
The question I have which is as yet unresolved is whether to mount a retractable spi-boom ( a la Selden ) - it is not worth fitting a bobstay, due to geometry - and hang a furling asymmetric A-sail on it. I already have the hardware.
or...... rely on white sails, poled out when appropriate.
Due to age and infirmity, Alzheimers and alcoholism, I seek to reduce the cockups on the foredeck as much as guile and wit permit, for I shall more often than not be disentangling said cockups on my jack-jones.
Of course, there will be an element of 'how long is a piece of string'. But your esteemed observations are sought.
For quite a while I've been tussling with a refurb, a 'project'... although it didn't start out that way. Now I'm looking at the sails inventory linked with the rigging changes, and I'm still undecided on one aspect.....
.....whether to fit a spi-boom and a furling asymmetric spinnaker.... or to rely for downwind 'oomph' on white sails, poled out.
The boat is a Cutlass27, just a little younger than me. She's quite narrow and relatively light at around 3.5 tons. I've fitted a Seafeather windvane gear, replaced all the rigging whether it need it or not, added a lot of better this's and that's - including an inner stay. There's a diagram below.
It's intended that ALL the foresails will be mounted on furlers.... including the demountable storm jib. ( I've talked that through with sailmakers and riggers, and they agree it is practicable - probably meaning 'This is something I'd like to see!' )
I'll certainly be buying a new genoa and a new 'Solent'-type jib for brisker breeze.
The question I have which is as yet unresolved is whether to mount a retractable spi-boom ( a la Selden ) - it is not worth fitting a bobstay, due to geometry - and hang a furling asymmetric A-sail on it. I already have the hardware.
or...... rely on white sails, poled out when appropriate.
Due to age and infirmity, Alzheimers and alcoholism, I seek to reduce the cockups on the foredeck as much as guile and wit permit, for I shall more often than not be disentangling said cockups on my jack-jones.
Of course, there will be an element of 'how long is a piece of string'. But your esteemed observations are sought.