Spinnaker set-up for Sadler 32

[Poey50]

I'm one week into ownership of our Sadler 32 and have begun to think about using the spinnaker in anger. It looks barely used but I have seen a photo of it flying without a pole downhaul. I'd be interested in hearing from someone who is happy with their set-up. I'm not sure if I can get away with a single guy/sheet on each side. Thinking about size of blocks, sheet/guys, use of barber hauler etc. This will be for cruising (although I haven't ruled out racing eventually) with me and Mrs Poey50. The spinnaker also came with a snuffer.

I've tried to post on the Sadler and Starlight website but can't register and can't get anyone to sort it.

 

[johnalison]

I once had a 29 and friends with 32s and have never seen a pole without a downhaul and I think it would be unwise to try with a boat of this size. The 32 goes well with a spinnaker, so have fun.

 

[tom@tombell.com]

Did you ever work this out? I have purchased a Sadler 32 this year, and like you have just come around to working out the spinnaker setup... also no sign of a down haul (fore guy) also considering the options of Sheets with snach block/ barber hauler / or sheets and guys and sizes of lines etc.. So if you worked it all out could you share? Many thanks

 

[Poey50]

Did you ever work this out? I have purchased a Sadler 32 this year, and like you have just come around to working out the spinnaker setup... also no sign of a down haul (fore guy) also considering the options of Sheets with snach block/ barber hauler / or sheets and guys and sizes of lines etc.. So if you worked it all out could you share? Many thanks

In the end I went for separate sheets and guys. These were 12 mm for guys and 8 mm for sheets and either x 2 the length of the boat or x 2.5 (I can't remember which). Other S32 owners seem to have successfully used a single guy/sheet with barber haulers but I'm happy with our set-up which I think is simpler (although with more rope to deal with) and using 8mm sheets means less weight and more usable in lighter conditions. (You would need thicker stuff for single guy/sheets.)

I bought our stuff from Jimmy Green with spring shackles attached for the guys and Wichard quick release shackles for the sheets.

It sounds like you will need to add a fixing point for the pole downhaul with a line led to cockpit.

Not cheap but worth it as the downwind performance of the Sadler in light air is otherwise not much to write home about. First proper use was a spinnaker reach from Treguier to Guernsey this summer - very memorable. Would have been dull under engine.

I also dispensed with the snuffer that came with the boat - more trouble than it was worth. We put out the genoa and over-sheet it for launch and recovery and haven't had any problems. The baby stay is a bit of a pain for gybing but you can work around it.

 

[dave_gibsea]

No need for snuffer if you hoist and recover the sail on a run close to the lee of the main. Defo need a down-haul.

 

[johnalison]

No need for snuffer if you hoist and recover the sail on a run close to the lee of the main. Defo need a down-haul.

Me too. When I had a snuffer on my Sadler 29 it took forever to sort out the lines before hoisting. Much easier from a turtle or whatever. We never had a wrap in many years of racing and cruising with a spinnaker on two boats. I think the main trick was to get the sheet hauled in quickly. Dropping was just a matter of geting it into the companionway.

 

[William_H]

I think the simplest and best spin arrangement is to have single guy/sheet runningthrough blocks or rings on the end of barber haulers running from a point on the gunwhale about half way along the foredeck. By using this barber hauler as a down haul for the pole via the guy you don't need a down haul for the pole. Although if you forget to set the barber hauler when gybing you can sky the pole bending the fitting on the pole/mast. (As I have found many times)
Spin can most easily be launched from in my case the anchor locker or a container on the foredeck. We usually replace the spin in the anchor locker when retrieved ready for another hoist but in difficult conditions haul it down under the boom into the cabin. Practice this retrieval for times when wind comes up.
Yes pole needs a topping lift or up haul. I found I could manage reasonably well with a fixed length topping lift just attached a bout half way up the mast. But adjustable is better. Especially if it means pole can remain attached to the topping lift (and boat) so can't be lost overboard.
A spin can be made to fly without a pole and in racing this is often done on retrieval as pole can be stowed and spin kept flying until the last minute at a buoy but it is very difficult to steer exactly down wind to keep spin inflated.
Just ry the spin in light winds, good luck olewill

 

[lw395]

I have sailed a yacht with no pole downhaul or foreguy.
It can work, but you may need the barbers/tweakers/chokes/stranglers a long way forwards and it may be a problem with the guy quarreling with lifelines and stanchions.
Also if you are reaching with the pole well forwards, it can all be working fine, then you hit a wave and the pole goes skywards.
A foreguy will also stop the pole moving about in light weather/sloppy seas. A block on the bow mooring cleat, a line from the outer end of the pole, through the block and back to a stern cleat will do.