Spinnaker pole release line

[machurley22]

My pole has two separate release lines which are both spliced to an unstainless ring in the middle. The unstainless ring is now very grotty indeed and I intend to replace it (at some unspecified point in the future /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif) but wondered what it is for. Why not just have a single piece of string between the two pistons?

 

[rusailing]

I'm not sure as to the original intention of the middle 'ring' on your spinny pole but would suggest that seperate lines could remove the possibility of the wrong piston opening on the tugging of a single line!?

Most modern systems adopt one line but a damaged or corroded piston/bore can result in one side inadvertantly opening while you're struggling to open the other side....

 

[KenMcCulloch]

[ QUOTE ]
My pole has two separate release lines which are both spliced to an unstainless ring in the middle. The unstainless ring is now very grotty indeed and I intend to replace it (at some unspecified point in the future /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif) but wondered what it is for. Why not just have a single piece of string between the two pistons?

[/ QUOTE ]
I think the ring is there just to make it easier to pull one or other piston. Instead of having to grab hold of the line and inadvertently pull on both ends, the ring allows you to pull one way or the other without having to grip the line.

 

[Adamastor]

It's also possibly (and I HATE the setup, because it usually trips when you can't affor it to, or not at all) a despicable arrangement where, in case A, the ring was lashed to the pole so you have two seperate lines for end/end gybes. (And never be able to reach the right one at the right time!) In case B, an attachment for a little lanyard might have been fitted so you could trip the outside end with one hand as you pass the pole across in the gybe...
Either way, lose the ring and if your swim-team's scared of accidentally hooking the tripline in a gybe, give 'em a simple hoop round the middle of the pole to keep the tripline out of the way. Ducttape a big, loosely-cinched cable-tie round the pole so it holds the tripline out of the way close to the pole, but so the line is still free to run...

 

[jerryat]

Ditch it and have one continuous line between the two pistons! I've had both types on different boats I've owned, and definitely prefer the method above.

Sure there's the risk of pulling the wrong piston, but either I've been lucky or am (uncharacteristically /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif) skilled in the process, but it's never happened to me yet! Certainly it's been useful at times to be able to open a piston from the 'other' end as it were.

 

[Amulet]

I had one continuous line - my preferred solution. My crew revolted 'cos they kept accidentally opening the wrong piston.
I now have two lines. I prefer one - the skipper is not always right!