Spinnaker pole re-rig...thoughts?

[Iain C]

I'm putting my mast back up this weekend and I might change the way the spinnaker pole is currently rigged to sort the following issues. (Boat is 27' with a full, masthead kite, and a pole that has the uphaul and downhaul fixed in the middle of its length)

-Excessive pole bend as you come onto a reach
-Inefficient angles of uphaul/downhaul (uphaul is roughly at spreader height, downhaul on the tabernacle)
-Pole downhaul not let aft (the only control that isnt)

My plan is this...

-Bridle system to transfer loads to pole ends rather than the middle
-Downhaul led from Harken Cam cleat on cockpit coming, along stanchions to a turning block on the stbd gunwale. Then led up to a block which is fixed to the mid point of the lower bridle, and then dead ended onto the port gunwale. However, as the pole gets squared off on a run, the downhaul will be actually coming upwards and backwards to the pole. Is this an issue? I've tried to work it out in my head and I'm thinking that the "triangulation" between uphaul, downhaul and guy should actually make the whole lot more stable.
-Uphaul, bridle system again, however I think that the turning block on the mast will have to be much higher, perhaps a couple of metres above spreader height, to get the correct angles. Does this sound right? Also, can I just rivet a saddle into the mast with a couple of big monel rivets, or is there a specific fitting to use?

Eventual plan is to use double sheets too, as it can be a bit of a handful sometimes to gybe shorthanded.

Thanks

 

[sarabande]

if you are after more control of the kite via the pole, then using a sheet and a guy on each side, is the only way to go.

I'd ditch the bridle suggestion, and go for snatch blocks to Pand S, one at the stern, one about halfway along, for the sheet, and the same for the guy. That gives variable control of the two attachment points of the spinni for all points of sailing.

Downhaul and uphaul of pole must lead to the outer end to maximise leverage. Uphaul should be at least spreader height, preferably higher, to reduce compression load into mast at pole heel. Adding a turning block between the spreader and head of the mast should be OK with a simple plate and hoop rivetted to mast, but perhaps a quick check with the maker ?

Leading the halyards and pole controls back to the cockpit depends on how much space you have, and whether you would be better off with one crew member operating them near the mast, leaving space in the cockpit for main and genoa management systems.

 

[smth448]

I would certainly fit bridles to the pole for both the uphaul and downhaul. It will need to be something non stretchy like wire or dyneema.
I would certainly raise the uphaul as far up the mast as you can. Do you have a spare Genoa halyard that you could use as an initial test? If not then I would fix the turning block as far up the mast as you can to avoid fouling the genoa and everything else at the hounds.
I would fit a block on the bridle for the downhaul and fit two turning blocks on the centreline of the fordeck vertically below the centre of the pole when it is against the forestay. Lead the downhaul down both sides of the cabin to cleats at the side of the cabin where they can be reached from either side of the cockpit. This will give you a 2:1 purchase on the downhaul. The downhaul will also pull the pole forward against the sail. You will need to adjust the pole downhaul as you adjust the guy but this will give you much more control over the pole and therefore the sail.
Hope this helps.

 

[michael_w]

As you probably gybe end for end, bridles are the only way to rig the up and downhauls. Rigged straight to the middle of the pole will break the pole sooner or later.

I would rig the downhaul via a central point on the foredeck, and not worry too much about gettting the uphaul way up the mast.

 

[Georgio]

You really should/must have a bridle for the uphaul and downhaul not only does this make end-to-end gibing possible (quicker and easier than dipping the end of the pole) but more importantly it also takes a lot of strain off the boom - it's not really supposed to bend and I have seen them break (or more accurately fold up!).

Ideally I would make the downhaul 2:1 and that will make life easier although not essential on a boat your size.

Uphaul at spreader height is fine and the normal position, downhaul would normally be somwhere in the middle of the foredeck rather than the base of the mast so that it pulls the pole both forward and down.

 

[bbg]

+1 to smth448, michael w and Georgio (except I don't think the uphaul needs to be as far up as smth448 says)