Rigging a Snuffer

[Sea_Lark]

The yacht I have bought came complete with a spinnaker and snuffer, the latter being a totally new item to me. The top of the snuffer is tied to the swivel on which the spinnaker is hoisted. There is a semi-rigid collar at the bottom of the snuffer. A continuous line runs up the inside of the snuffer from the collar, around a block attached to the swivel and back down the inside of the snuffer. Both ends pass through grommets on the collar and terminate in stopper knots.

I presume this is a 'normal' arrangement, but I cannot fathom how the whole thing works in practice. Is there something missing? Advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

No that sounds complete.... the spinnaker is hoisted attached to the swivel, and the halyard made off as normal...... fit the sheets and guys, hoist the pole, set and then use the continuous line to 'lift' the collar upwards....

When snuffing reverse the procedure..... pull the continuous line to pull the collar down over the spinnaker , snuffing it....

Only thing that I have seen done is to add an additional pulley on the continuous line, fastened by elastic cord down to deck level to keep the control line conveniently to hand, but this isn't a standard snuffer arrangement....

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Would add that its worth taking your time when you first fit the spinnaker inside the snuffer to make sure that its not twisted.....

 

[aran01]

Here's some pics....
http://www.northsails.co.uk/sails/snuffer/snuffer.htm

 

[changeman]

Whatever you do, don't let go of the continuous line, otherwise you will be in all sorts of trouble.
You will find you need 3 hands to set this up and retrieve it as there are so many lines to play with.
I strongly suggest you try it on a light wind first and practice. I got in one helluva mess my first time, with spinnaker and control lines well wrapped around the forestay. Not sdomething I would like to repeat, so much practice since then now makes the job fairly easy.

 

[malcp]

One tip I was once given was to deploy the genoa, just enough to fill the fore triangle and sheet it in tight. This acts as extra wind blanketing and means the spinnaker cannot wrap itself round the forestay. I use this method every time, and find it much safer. Then when the spinnaker is up and drawing, roll away the genoa. Do the reverse on taking the spinnaker down.

 

[michael_w]

How big is your boat? 2 people can easily handle the kite from a 40' masthead without a snuffer. Most problems occour on the take down. It is just a matter of knowing a few well proven techniques. Trail the halyard overboard, guy run drop, foredeck takedown and the slow but sure letter box takedown, favorite of singlehanders.

I'll try and explain. Though it might be as clear as mud /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Halyard Trail: Feed the kite halyard overboard, when ready to drop, just blow the clutch and the drag on the halyard in the water will allow you to gather the kite. You may need to add a bit of drag to the halyard's end, on one of my boats I had to tie a cloth to the stoppper knot to add a bit of drag.

This works well with any of the takedown techniques. guy run drop, as its name suggests, grab the sheet, run the guy, blow the halyard and gather and stuff down the companionway.

Foredeck takedown. Super safe for when its got a bit windy. lead the lazy guy to leeward round the forestay and make off on one of the deck cleats. This time blow the sheet and the halyard and gather under the jib on the foredeck. The fact that you've got the lazy guy made off means even if the wind rips it out of your hands or you go shrimping you can't loose the sail.

Letter box is very similar, except the lazy guy is lead between the mainsail and the boom. Obviously you need a loose footed main for this one.

If you want to persevere with the "snuff movie" try leading the downhaul through a snatch block so when you are struggling to pull the damn thing down you aren't lifting yourself off the deck.

 

[rwoofer]

I like the idea of trailing the halyard. I sometimes fly my spinnaker singlehanded on my 44 foot Moody. The most difficult bit was that I would blow the halyard and struggle to gather the spinnaker quickly enough.

The only thing I would add to your techniques, that I do, is to pull the spinnaker down directly behind the main. Firstly this pulls the spinnaker away from the forestay and avoids any wraps there, but most importantly the cover provided by the main reduces the risk of the spinnaker catching the wind and billowing out again.

 

[Aeolus_IV]

Can second the comment about the additional block and short line. It means that if the snuffer is "driven" up the spinaker (if the sail fills early), you don't have to try to hold onto it (with associated rope burns). You know it will be safely at hand when you need it.

Make sure that the snuffer line isn't wrapped about the snuffer itself before you hoist it. If it is you'll end up with a knot at the top of the sail and will have to drop the spinnaker in the traditional way.

Jeff.

 

[fireball]

The yellow line to the right of the pic is the uphaul part of the continuous line and goes to the top of the snuffer gear through a block and down to the neck of the snuffer inside the sock.

The downhaul line is tied onto the same place but comes straight down ....

Using the snuffer is simple ... we had the whole lot up and pulling in 5 minutes from scratch (2 crew & helm) with just me doing the foredeck work. It came down in the same time ... (1/2 hr later!)

 

[William_H]

You don't say what size the boat is however someone must have thought a snuffer worth while. The best advice to learn to manage spinnacker is to start with a small spin.
yes you are advised to hoist the spin and retrieve always with the jib set. This stops wrap around the forestay.
I have found on a smaller boat that the hoist but particularly the retrieve is best done under the boom (surely not between the boom and mainsail foot)
and into the main cabin entrance. The pole should run free on the brace so when retrieving release the brace and the halyard. Beware the halyard may run too fast (hence drag in water but only if necessary) and haul it in.
Tha advantage is no spin handling on foredeck. On bigger boats the spin is hauled into the forward hatch. The disadvantages are the huge amount of spin and brace to pull out when launching and the fact that the spin sheets halyard must be set up for the correct tack for launching. We often tie the halyard /sheets together with spin removed to pull the sheets around to come under the boom on the other side (or jibe before retrieval) to suit the next run. (We usually have 3 spin runs in a 2.5 hr race which occurs about 26 races per year so after 21 years have had practice.)

Merry Christmas from olewill

 

[Sea_Lark]

Thanks everyone for all your help. Our yacht is only 30', so if all else fails we could still cope without the snuffer. However it only seems sense to try out the extra bit of kit since we have it. All we need now is some good 'summer' weather to try it out!

 

[fireball]

30 foot ... use the snuffer ... it is MUCH easier with than without, especially if short handed ...

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Second that......