Removable bowsprit

[bluet36]

I live aboard a Sadler 25 (deep fin). I have a high cut 135% genoa on a Profurl, and a removable inner forestay and running backstays for a storm jib and Trysail, so I'm happy with the rig in medium to high winds. My questions concern light air performance and the best way to achieve it.

I'm thinking of a removable bowsprit using a system similar do Dehler's (spinnaker pole through a ring, although they have changed this system and now have a dedicated removable bowsprit).

Here goes with the questions!

What size pole diameter would be best?

What length should the bowsprit be? And would a telescopic pole be better?

What sort of sail would give the best all round performance (up and downwind_ MPG, cruising chute, big genoa, screecher (whatever that means!) and what about bi-radial, tri-radial and asymetrics, bearing in mind limited storage space below when not in use?

The boat is really well balanced with her current rig - how would the bowsprit affect that?

I am considering using a Twistleyard rig for when we go further afield (Atlantic circuit) so, would the same spinnaker pole(s) be suitable for this, or would I need additional (telescopic) poles?

Rig dimensions: Main luff 7.6m, Main foot 2.4m, Geona luff 8.2m, Genoa foot 4.2m, 'J' 3m, Mast height approx 8.6m.

I tried writing to PBO in August last year, but havent heard anything, so I hope some of you guys can help me!

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[kgi]

Personally iwould use aMPG and put it on a furler built for the job, schaeffer and harken both do one for this, the reason iwould do it this way is space and convenience, my asymetric takes up a large laundry basket, and its a pain to stow, as for how to fit the sprit, i don't know you may well have to revise your forestay and anchoring fittings.......sorry i can't help any more....keith

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[happychap]

What is an MPG?

I've recently purchased a cruising chute for a Legend 336 and have made a small bowsprit (1.2mlong about 900mm extra) which I will fit next to to anchor on the second roller. So far I've tried the sail once, tied to the roller and it will need a bowsprit to improve the sheeting angle at the clew. The sail looked lovely but it will need settled conditions to make the hassle worthwhile when sailing short handed.

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[kgi]

Multi Purpose Genoa, ....If its on a wire luff then it can be furled like a normal genoa with the units i mentioned in my previous post, the pro's for it is it can be hoisted on its furling gear and coils "fairly" neatly when taken down for stowing, its easy to furl away if the wind kicks in, the con's ..its not as powerful as a cruising chute......IMHO ......keith

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[snowleopard]

long distance sails

quite a lot of people fly spinnakers on ocean crossings these days but they can be a big problem. on the 2001 ARC around 20% of the fleet used them but every single person i subsequently spoke to who had done so had blown out at least one sail, in one case it was 3 of them. The problem is having enough people to get the kite down in a squall when there's only one watch on deck.

if i had one i would save it for a bit of daytime fun.

re. poles for the twistle rig, because the poles are mounted close to the forestay rather than on the mast, they need to be shorter (a little more than the clew diagonal of the sail.)

a popular choice for twins is to use the standard genoa one side and have another of similar size set flying from the spinnaker halliard, tacked down just in front of the forestay or on a short bowsprit, with a furler so you can douse it easily.

surprisingly many boats use their mainsail (with preventer) and ploed out genoa.

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