Cruising chute & Genoa

[misterg]

PO fitted roller reefing genoa to our 22' venturer, but we also inherited a selection of hank-on sails, including a cruising chute. As a winter project, I would like to equip the boat to fly the chute without having to drop the RR genoa. (One broach a year isn't enough!). No spinnaker gear fitted currently.

I know I will have to:

Fit a block to the mast-head to carry another halyard (assume ~8mm)
Fit a block / fairlead to the stem fitting to attach the CS tack
Add a secod set of sheets with turning blocks on the quarters for the CS (again assume ~8mm).

I would also like the option to fly the CS with a poled out the genoa for dead down-wind sailing (Anglesey -> Conwy 90% of the time). Boat has fitting for spinnaker pole on front of mast, and a loop that looks like it's for a pole up-haul.

Questions:
Does the cruising chute tack line *need* to be adjustable, or is it sufficient to tie it off to the stem-head?
Should I fit dedicated cleats for the cruising chute sheets?
Do I need a pole up-haul to pole out the genoa? If so, should it go through a block on the mast? where's the best place to cleat it off?
Do I need a pole down-haul? where does it need to run to, and where should it be cleated off?
Are the suggested line sizes OK?
Any opinions on whether the whole thing is worthwhile?

We're talking pottering here, not competitive sailing, but would like to be home before dark.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Andy

 

[mirabriani]

I should be interested in the answers as I do not seem to be able to fly my spinnaker satisfactorily with the 130% genoa up. I seem to get good or better drive from the genny, especially poled out on a run.

Briani

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[aroma]

hi I have a mps on my yacht and have flown it with the genoa out
I have a temp arragment mast top block and 8mm haylard ,the tackline run thru a block attached to a spare hole in the bowroller back to sampson post so I could play with the sail then the sheet run back to the stern with another block attached to stern cleat then forward to the sheet winch and back to existing cleat and only had one sheet at the time
But chickened out with both up when we started to roll from side to side with one sail collaspsing then fill with a bang
Warren

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[William_H]

You don't need dedicated sheet cleats for the CS because you would have jib on one side and CS sheeted on other side. A topping lift for the pole is good to take the weight of the pole when connecting it on. It does not need to be adjustable just a snap shackle at the end and if you feel you need it another one up the rope a little to give a choice of height. I have sailed competitively for yuears with a fixed spin topping lift and it is better than an adjustable I think. Don't think you need a down haul. You might consider a lighter pole than standard spin pole and I think a snotter (pole attachment ring) on the side of the mast down low might serve better than the spin one on the front and higher up. regards will

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[bedouin]

IMHO:

An adjustable tack line is a nice to have, but by no means essential. It becomes more important when reaching with the chute.

Dedicated cleats depends a bit on what you have in the way of winches. I would suggest a cleat per winch is a good idea but if you are sharing the winches between chute and genoa.

If using the pole just with the Genoa you don't need a pole uphaul and downhaul although they have certain advantages. They do help controlling the pole but you can probably manage fine without. If you do fit them then the uphaul will go round a block half way up the mast, and is usually cleated off on the mast. The downhaul will go round a block either on the stemhead fitting or the foredeck - when being used with a spinnaker the downhaul is lead back to the cockpit

Line sizes are a matter of personal preference, but for a start I would suggest using the same sizes as you have for the Genoa halliard and sheets - assuming you are comfortable with them. Bigger sheets make for easier handling and you tend to spend more time trimming a chute than you do a genoa.

I would certainly say flying the chute is worth it - whether using the genoa at the same time is a good idea is a different matter, depends on how well it sets like that.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[misterg]

Many thanks to all for the helpful replies - I'm clear what I need to do, now.

Was concerned at Warren's experience - is there any means of avoiding this sort of positive feedback?

In view of the helpful replies so far: Current plan is to make a pole out of 1.5" aluminium TV aerial mast with appropriate end fittings. Will be approximately 8' long. (Haven't measured forestay-mast clearance, yet, but will make pole 10-20% longer than this). Sound OK?

Thanks,

Andy.

<hr width=100% size=1>