ATN Sleeve and Tacker

[Yealm]

I bought this a year ago, but only just got around to using it - plan to hoist the sail tomorrow.

Quick question - to get the snuffer down, the manufacturer’s video says you first blow the tack. But three other YouTube videos show the sheet being eased instead.

Wondered if anyone has advice on best technique? Many thanks

 

[Lightwave395]

I dump the sheet completely with mine.
I found for me, easing it isn't enough

 

[Koeketiene]

First I ease the sheet and start hauling down the snuffer.
When the snuffer reaches the clew, I release the sheet and then I release the tack and bring the snuffer down all the way.
I sail singlehanded most of the time and I find this works best for me.
Should I let slip the snuffer whilst hauling it down, the sail is still attached to the forestay (and therefore easier to recover) rather than left swinging in the wind.

As always, there's more than one way to skin a cat.
Others might have different ways of doing things which work welll for them.

FWIW:

 

[Yealm]

Thanks very much - great advice !

 

[europe172]

Thanks very much - great advice !

I let the go the tack, works for me

Thanks very much - great advice !

 

[Daydream believer]

I am interested in the suggestion one should let the tack go first. Seems all wrong to me.
If you let the tack off surely the snuffer floats aft away from the foredeck where the operator is standing ready to drop onto the deck. Also if holding the control lines the snuffer will be in the wrong place. So how do you operate them. How do you stop the foot of the sail going away from the boat, especially if the down haul rope is on the wrong side of the sail.
As i see it:-
By letting the sheet go, one would be on the deck & the tack is anchored where one can be against the forestay for stability whilst pulling on the down haul lines & the clew will automatically be gathered in. There is a better chance of getting the down haul onto the correct side of the sail
But i do not know. My snuffer has been consigned to the garage where it is so much safer. A simple recovery under the boom & into the cabin seems so much better. However, that is not the subject of the thread

 

[Daydream believer]

First I ease the sheet and start hauling down the snuffer.

How do you get the down haul rope to the windward side, if it ends up on the lee side after being hoisted or if you have gybed & it has gone the opp side? I ask because you waould have to be pulling it from under the sail if it was on the wrong side & you cannot alter it if it goes up the wrong way.

 

[Pete7]

I am interested in the suggestion one should let the tack go first. Seems all wrong to me.
If you let the tack off surely the snuffer floats aft away from the foredeck where the operator is standing ready to drop onto the deck. Also if holding the control lines the snuffer will be in the wrong place. So how do you operate them. How do you stop the foot of the sail going away from the boat, especially if the down haul rope is on the wrong side of the sail.

Yes it does, but I find mine is then blanketed by the main so hangs limply. I am normally holding the snuffer lines to pull down straight away.

Pete

 

[Koeketiene]

How do you get the down haul rope to the windward side, if it ends up on the lee side after being hoisted or if you have gybed & it has gone the opp side? I ask because you waould have to be pulling it from under the sail if it was on the wrong side & you cannot alter it if it goes up the wrong way.

Good question.
When I hoist the sail in the sock, I make sure the haul down ropes are on the windward side.
Once the sock is all the way up, I tie off the haul down ropes to the mast.
Trying to gybe a gennaker singlehanded is more trouble than it's worth. Both times I attemped it ended in lots of swearing.

 

[Lightwave395]

In my experience you'd best go out on a light wind day and experiment as to what method suits you best, in my case with large masthead kites tripping the guy was a recipe for a mess with a snuffer. I did do that when dropping without a sleeve, I'd trip the guy and with the lazy guy through the gap between the boom and the main and pull it down from windward.

 

[Daydream believer]

In my experience you'd best go out on a light wind day and experiment as to what method suits you best, in my case with large masthead kites tripping the guy was a recipe for a mess with a snuffer. I did do that when dropping without a sleeve, I'd trip the guy and with the lazy guy through the gap between the boom and the main and pull it down from windward.

The video #3 showed an asymetrical & one would not need a guy.
As for spinnaker, I would take that down without a sleeve every time, But then in my younger days I spent 15 years on the foredeck, so to me a snuffer is the work of the devil.

 

[Yealm]

The video #3 showed an asymetrical & one would not need a guy.
As for spinnaker, I would take that down without a sleeve every time, But then in my younger days I spent 15 years on the foredeck, so to me a snuffer is the work of the devil.

But how many crew did you have in your foredeck days ?!
Surely snuffer's great for short-handed boats.

 

[Daydream believer]

But how many crew did you have in your foredeck days ?!
Surely snuffer's great for short-handed boats.

On the half tonner just me up front. On a 3/4 tonner sometimes 2. but usually just me -on the 45 ft, 2 & that includes hoisting the blooper.

I now sail single handed & the snuffer is a menace. I prefer to gather my asym under the boom. Standing looking up on a small foredeck ( gazing at the sky getting dizzy) trying to get the thing to come down when it is stuck up the sail because the down line is under the foot & you cannot get a decent pull on it because the sail will not gather in & the GRP mouth is swinging about like a club, just does not cut it with me. Once ( if at all) it is snuffed, one still has to get the snuffed sail on the deck so it is not all over & controlling the halyard whilst dropping it is a nightmare.
The first time I hoisted it the foot of the sail refused to come out,so I stopped un snuffing. The collar swung & smashed the steaming light Just getting it unsnuffed is awkward ( foot of sail jams) & if one pulls too far it all snags at the top so one has to lower the sail with a lump of GRP swinging about.

Standing in the cockpit with the collapsed sail coming in under the boom with the halyard by one's right hand is just so much safer. Just lob it straight down below. Also near to the helm so that if the AV100 autopilot plays up one has a chance of dealing with it immediately

 

[Yealm]

On the half tonner just me up front. On a 3/4 tonner sometimes 2. but usually just me -on the 45 ft, 2 & that includes hoisting the blooper.

I now sail single handed & the snuffer is a menace. I prefer to gather my asym under the boom. Standing looking up on a small foredeck ( gazing at the sky getting dizzy) trying to get the thing to come down when it is stuck up the sail because the down line is under the foot & you cannot get a decent pull on it because the sail will not gather in & the GRP mouth is swinging about like a club, just does not cut it with me. Once ( if at all) it is snuffed, one still has to get the snuffed sail on the deck so it is not all over & controlling the halyard whilst dropping it is a nightmare.
The first time I hoisted it the foot of the sail refused to come out,so I stopped un snuffing. The collar swung & smashed the steaming light Just getting it unsnuffed is awkward ( foot of sail jams) & if one pulls too far it all snags at the top so one has to lower the sail with a lump of GRP swinging about.

Standing in the cockpit with the collapsed sail coming in under the boom with the halyard by one's right hand is just so much safer. Just lob it straight down below. Also near to the helm so that if the AV100 autopilot plays up one has a chance of dealing with it immediately

Thanks that’s interesting..