Rigging Code 0 on 17 ft open dinghy with unstayed mast.

[m_rk_st_v_ns]

I just commissioned and received a 7 Sq.mtr Code 0 to go with the 10 Sq mtr mainsail. I know little about how to rig and control the Code 0. Looking for the simplest solution for single handed sailing.

 

[DFL1010]

What's the boat?

When you say Code 0 do you mean proper code 0 or more A sail? If the latter furling or non?

My main concern with a proper 0 would be maintaining luff tension, especially when easing the main.


Hate to say it but surely this was something that should have been considered before ordering?

 

[m_rk_st_v_ns]

It's a home built Wabi 17 designed by Gilles Montaubin of Chantier Mer in La Rochelle, FR. Both sail designs were supplied by M. Montaubin. I've been sailing under the main alone for 8 years and am now looking for advice as to the rigging and deck hardware needed to control the true Code 0.

 

[dunedin]

It's a home built Wabi 17 designed by Gilles Montaubin of Chantier Mer in La Rochelle, FR. Both sail designs were supplied by M. Montaubin. I've been sailing under the main alone for 8 years and am now looking for advice as to the rigging and deck hardware needed to control the true Code 0.

As a Code Zero on an unstayed mast is a previously unheard of combination (at least to me) perhaps you need to go back to M Montaubin for that advice. It is very difficult to see how you could keep sufficient rigidity in an unstayed mast to hold a Code Zero luff taut.
Did the sail come with a torque rope on the luff and a bottom furler, or a different system? Or is the sail in fact just a conventional asymmetric spinnaker, not a Code Zero?

 

[B27]

There have been a few boats with jibs and unstayed masts.
Perhaps the Laser Pico is the most numberous.
There have been boats which go well with very low rig tension.

There are a few boats where mainsail leach tension is key to preventing the asy from breaking the mast in a breeze.

All rigs are compromises!

It's an expensive game to experiment with, so I would be asking the rig designer what they had in mind.

If the mast is not pretty stiff, then maybe running backstays could be considered?

 

[m_rk_st_v_ns]

I appreciate your concern, but M. Montaubin gave me the dimensions of both sails and the specifications of the carbon fiber mast and simply told me to mount a block at the top of the mast. I recently asked him for more info as to how to rig the controls. In my impatience to get back on the water, I reached out to this august group. If you look at Roger Barn's YouTube on Testing the Goat Island Skiff, you'll see one example of a Code 0 on an unstayed mast. There is a relatively stiff cord on the luff, but no Furler. I intend to douse the sail into a deck mounted sock, leaving the possibility of raising it again when conditions permit. I should also mention that I am not a racer. I simply go cruising with friends.

 

[m_rk_st_v_ns]

There have been a few boats with jibs and unstayed masts.
Perhaps the Laser Pico is the most numerous.
There have been boats which go well with very low rig tension.

There are a few boats where mainsail leach tension is key to preventing the asy from breaking the mast in a breeze.

All rigs are compromises!

It's an expensive game to experiment with, so I would be asking the rig designer what they had in mind.

If the mast is not pretty stiff, then maybe running backstays could be considered?

All good thoughts. The mast is quite stiff. I assume that the rig tension will not necessarily be high. However, I intend to ask the designer what limits I must impose on myself (and the rig) before setting off in high winds. Cheers.

 

[m_rk_st_v_ns]

Arwen Marine - Nouvelles If you check out this photo, you'll see the Code 0 on the Goat Island Skiff is not under great tension. Assuming this to be the case for my boat, and that I'll be able to fly my Code 0 under certain conditions, I'm still looking for guidance on how to mount and control the sheets.

 

[m_rk_st_v_ns]

Spinnaker-Sock This explains in detail how to build a sock. I'll be buying the materials this week.

 

[dunedin]

Spinnaker-Sock This explains in detail how to build a sock. I'll be buying the materials this week.

More often referred to as a “spinnaker chute” in European terms, particularly when built into the hull.
Probably a useful solution IF the sailmaker has fitted one, or preferably two, attachment points in the middle of the sail for a retrieval line.

Sounds like you are looking at a conventional “asymmetric spinnaker” for downwind sailing, rather than a “Code Zero” which is more often used as a reaching sail, with a taut luff rope.

 

[MisterBaxter]

I had a Freedom 21, which has an unstayed mast, and the spinnaker had a downhaul attached to it's centre which ran back through the sock on deck and was joined onto the halyard. It was possible to douse the sail extremely quickly and impossible to dump it into the water, which made single-handed spinnaker use very easy (combined with the amazing gun-mount pole arrangement).
I saw a picture of the Wabi design some years ago and admired it. Do post pictures if you have them, that would also make it easier to advise on rigging.

 

[oldbloke]

I think a 7 sq metre sail is unlikely to destroy anything in casual use. I assume you are setting it from the bow rather than a bowsprit. I wouldn't bother with a Shute initially. The sail can easily be launched from inside the boat and having a big hole in the foredeck has its issues and inconveniences.
Random bits of advice:- For single handing, attached a lòp of elastic to the floor so it can be looped overthe tiller to keep it straight(ish) while you mess about.
Run the halyard back to within reach of the helm so you can raise and lower while steering.
If it is a true code 0 , ailing with yhe wind forwards of the beam is just as normal. Sailing off wind however you will have to "steer to balance ". Rather than just pulling in and letting out sail to keep the boat upright you have to steer the boat, sometimes quite vigorously, to keep it upright. So aim the boat to keep it under the mast.If it leans to leeward, bear away and as it comes upright luff up. You still have to do the pulling in and letting out.
Notwithstanding the advice of the designer, watch the mast when on a broad reach in a breeze, you may want to oversheet the main to act as a backstay if the mast starts bowing the wrong way, especially if you have the wishbone rig without a kicking strap.

 

[flaming]

The picture you provided is very definitely not a code zero, but a fairly conventional asymetric spinnaker.

On the assumption that this is what you are actually getting, then no problems, just put a tack block somewhere on the bow for a tack line, some sheet blocks 3/4 of the way down the boat (you'd need to look at the exact cut of the sail to judge exactly where) and away you go. Your sock idea is fine.

If you actually have a code zero, then all bets are off....

 

[B27]

7sqm is jib sized.
If it's made of jib material, it won't like going down a chute into a sock.
The pic looks like a full genoa with a convex luff, some kind of throwback to the evolution between genoa/gennaker/cruising chute? I don't mean that in a negative way, just that it's not followed how dinghy asy's have evolved. It might work well with an old-style furler?

 

[MontyMariner]

I think this is the Wabi 17, there doesn't look t be enough room to rig a foresail unless you put it on a bowsprit.

Wabi

 

[m_rk_st_v_ns]

More often referred to as a “spinnaker chute” in European terms, particularly when built into the hull.
Probably a useful solution IF the sailmaker has fitted one, or preferably two, attachment points in the middle of the sail for a retrieval line.

Sounds like you are looking at a conventional “asymmetric spinnaker” for downwind sailing, rather than a “Code Zero” which is more often used as a reaching sail, with a taut luff rope.

Thank you muchly for your continued interest in my project. I stand corrected, although the article referred to the project as a spinnaker sock. No matter what the term, my long-term goal is to be able to set and retrieve the, yes Code 0, sail from the helm. Gilles Montaubin designed and called the sail that I have a Code 0, so I will continue to use the same term. Unless he advises to the contrary, it will be used for downwind, reaching, and possibly headed upwind in light conditions. Apparently, Gilles doesn't think a taut luff rope is necessary.

 

[m_rk_st_v_ns]

I had a Freedom 21, which has an unstayed mast, and the spinnaker had a downhaul attached to it's centre which ran back through the sock on deck and was joined onto the halyard. It was possible to douse the sail extremely quickly and impossible to dump it into the water, which made single-handed spinnaker use very easy (combined with the amazing gun-mount pole arrangement).
I saw a picture of the Wabi design some years ago and admired it. Do post pictures if you have them, that would also make it easier to advise on rigging.

Your description is most welcomed. I'll attempt to post pictures. (Perhaps only one at a time in subsequent responses.) Regards.

 

[DFL1010]

Thank you muchly for your continued interest in my project. I stand corrected, although the article referred to the project as a spinnaker sock. No matter what the term, my long-term goal is to be able to set and retrieve the, yes Code 0, sail from the helm. Gilles Montaubin designed and called the sail that I have a Code 0, so I will continue to use the same term. Unless he advises to the contrary, it will be used for downwind, reaching, and possibly headed upwind in light conditions. Apparently, Gilles doesn't think a taut luff rope is necessary.

Technically it won't be a Code 0 then, but there's more important things in life to worry about than terminology.

Is the sail made of normal sailcloth or is it spinnaker fabric? If it's sailcloth then it won't play nicely with a spinnaker sock (as said above, and you'll have to look at furlers. If spinnaker fabric then the sock will be fine.

 

[dunedin]

..... If spinnaker fabric then the sock will be fine.

Only if
1) the sailmaker has fitted patches in the centre of the sail to attach a downhaul; and
2) it doesn't have a very stiff luff torque rope that a code zero typically has to assist furling

 

[DFL1010]

Only if
1) the sailmaker has fitted patches in the centre of the sail to attach a downhaul; and
2) it doesn't have a very stiff luff torque rope that a code zero typically has to assist furling

Well yes obviously. Although they can be retrofitted.

Got to say, a photo of the rag in question wouldn't be the worst thing in the world here.