Hunter Medina - spinnaker advice

[pete1404]

have sailed a hunter medina for 3 years and was keen to set her up with a symmetrical spinnaker. any thoughts and advice would be useful. eg
- length of pole
- control lines
- any preference on sail maker

many thanks

 

[BAtoo]

Keep it simple.
2 rings on the mast for the pole about 4 & 6 ft above the base, , pole length just longer than from top ring to foot of forestay, 2 bridles on the pole with a central ring; uphaul from near the spreaders, down haul from near the bow (both led aft to the coachroof), single sheet/guy from well aft with a baber-hauler at midships to make the windward one the guy, halyard from above the forestay attachment/top of mast.

Sailmaker less critical for this sail; I'd use a local one so they can measure to boat, or even look for a good secondhand one (Seateach & others - luff length about 5-10% shorter that forestay length)

Others may have other ideas..........

Some of which may be better........

 

[Highndry]

I haven't attempted using the spinnaker on my Medina yet - still learning the sheets and halyards (as opposed to ropes ) but the attached diagram from the 2007-2008 Medina class manual (sent to me be another Medina-owning forum user) might help in getting what you need.
If you'd like other relevant pages, drop me a PM.



The spinnaker section from the manual reads:
The boom shall be an alloy extrusion with a minimum aluminium content of 90%. The minimum O/S diameter of the boom shall not be less than 38mm. No part of the spinnaker boom including fittings shall be capable of extending more than 2120mm from the mast. The point of attachment of the spinnaker boom shall be a fixed single eye situated 300mm -/+ 10mm above the top of the lower band painted on the mast as shown on the mast plan.



You probably don't need the class rules but it's a good starting point.

 

[lw395]

If you are not racing, a used spinny from a biggish dinghy will be a lot cheaper than buying new.
Try the class association websites for small ads.
Dimensions are not that critical.
Unless you are putting it up in loads of wind, a dinghy one will be strong enough.

A friend of mine has a small yacht, his cruising chute is a dinghy asymmetric well past its racing days, but it's still great fun.
I sold it to him for £10 3 years ago and he's used it a fair bit since.

 

[pete1404]

ok thanks for the info. I think the mast is original and there is an eye on the boom hopefully in the prescribed place. will check. I think other fittings I will have to put on myself.
am tempted to get a nice new sail - can't refuse my girl anything!

 

[BAtoo]

This will give you an idea of layout :- http://www.harken.co.uk/content.aspx?id=3913

Bit more here:-

http://www.usedsails.com/index.htm?measuring.htm~right

Measuring for a Spinnaker is very easy. The only dimensions needed are the I and the J measurements. Hoist a tape measure to the top of the mast with the Spinnaker halyard. If you do not have a dedicated Spinnaker halyard use your Jib halyard. Remember to tie a line to the halyard in case your tape breaks. Measure down to the top of the working deck, not the cabin top. This is your I dimension. Lower the tape measure. Now measure from where the forestay connects at the bow, back to the base of the mast. This is your J dimension.

If you are racing, most PHRF organizations limit the maximum luff length of a Spinnaker to the I dimension. The maximum foot dimension is 180% of the J dimension.

If you are a Cruiser, there is a lot more flexibility to the size Spinnaker you can use. The luff length should be within 10% of the I dimension. The foot dimension can be anything, but ideally it should be from 160% to 200% of the J dimension.