Remote asymmetric tack release.

[jonjo]

I am now the owner of a humongous 1000 sq ft general purpose asymmetric.

Prior to purchase I had a sketchy plan to release (trip) the tack of the sail from the cockpit using a line running up to a small block on the anchor bow roller pin and then upwards to the release pin ring on the tack snap shackle.

Now I realize this will be problematic because the release pin on the tack shackle is angled 20 degrees upwards against the direction of the release pull I planned to rig. With the sail under pressure I doubt that a tug on the remote release line would rotate the shackle far enough to create an effective outwards pull on the release pin.

Can anyone suggest an alternative release mechanism that does not involve a trip to the bow?

 

[flaming]

Make the tack line longer, lead it back to the cockpit and just release this when you want to trip it, leaving the shackle attached to the sail.
That's what we do racing J boats, and what I used to do sailing cruising boats with cruising chutes.

 

[fluffc]

(a) Don't gild the lilly

(b) Do you really want a 1000 sq ft sail to be let lose at the other end of the boat with no immediate control if it goes wrong??

 

[aknight]

Agreed, this is what I was taught to do. In addition, rigging a long tack line as you suggest also makes gybing more straightforward. You can ease out more tack line from the cockpit, which helps the chute to clear the forestay as it comes across.

 

[flaming]

[ QUOTE ]
Agreed, this is what I was taught to do. In addition, rigging a long tack line as you suggest also makes gybing more straightforward. You can ease out more tack line from the cockpit, which helps the chute to clear the forestay as it comes across.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok in light winds, but DO NOT ease the tack line when gybing in over about 12 knots.
You are very likely to broach when the kite fills up and away from the boat and pulls it sideways.

 

[tross]

Try one of the wichard quick release shackles Part Number 002_060_001_514

 

[jonjo]

[ QUOTE ]
(b) Do you really want a 1000 sq ft sail to be let lose at the other end of the boat with no immediate control if it goes wrong??

[/ QUOTE ]
I am not sure what the specific concern is here. If the remote trip fails I have the option of going forward to pull the release ring manually.

Having read the replies from the J-Boat crew I can now see that the remote trip line would interfere with the option of letting the tack line run free just prior to a drop.

In view of this thread I think I have 2 options:

1 - Try the J-Boat recommendation. But my concerns here are, could the tack line kink and jam as it runs free plus I don't like the idea of 10m of tack line plus snap shackle airborne and whipping around as the sail is lowered.

2 - To keep option-1 available as a panic drop option with the remote line rigged, make sure the remote release line is connected to the tack shackle release pin via light line that will fail under load.

Anyhow thanks everyone I now appreciate I should ensure the remote release and tack lines have independent routes back to the cockpit to reduce concerns about them snagging each other.

 

[flaming]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
(b) Do you really want a 1000 sq ft sail to be let lose at the other end of the boat with no immediate control if it goes wrong??

[/ QUOTE ]
I am not sure what the specific concern is here. If the remote trip fails I have the option of going forward to pull the release ring manually.

Having read the replies from the J-Boat crew I can now see that the remote trip line would interfere with the option of letting the tack line run free just prior to a drop.

In view of this thread I think I have 2 options:

1 - Try the J-Boat recommendation. But my concerns here are, could the tack line kink and jam as it runs free plus I don't like the idea of 10m of tack line plus snap shackle airborne and whipping around as the sail is lowered.


[/ QUOTE ]

To avoid kinks and jams flake it. Even not flaked I've never experienced a tack line jamming. And even if it did, so what? Just un kink it and let it fly again.
Don't let the line run completely, have it long enough that you never have to release all of it. Also "flailing around" has never in my experience happened whilst dropping an A sail.

Stay on a nice broad reach, unroll the jib and blow the tack. You'll then find that if left alone the sail will just hang quite limply in the lee of the main and jib, at least in any wind that a cruising boat is likely to be flying a kite!
You can then gather in the foot and ease the halyard down to gather the rest of the sail at your leasure.
This is only a 2 person operation. We use 4 whilst racing, but only so we can do it all within 2 boat lengths of the mark.