Spinnaker Snuffer

[TRH]

HI urgent help needed, A freind of mine has inherited a Spinnaker Snuffer. Description as follows: Consisits of flat spiral plastic spring, Approx 8'' Dia. (Length as per the height of spinnaker) Top fitting stainless ring 8'' dia with 3 arms at 120 degrees spacing to centre rod. Welded at each end to centre rod and there connected to plastic snuffer, the rods are bent to form rectangle entrapping spiral. The stainless ring is free to rotate, except where saddle clip strikes spokes. Can anyone help with how this should be set up,or a makers name that might help, Or has anyone in the solent one that can be seen working. Many Thanks in anticipation from us both.

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[Talbot]

Mine is just a plastic truncated cone, with the narrow end attached to a tube of very light sail cloth. So sorry never heard of one like yours.

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[AuntyRinum]

Here are the instructions for your snuffer. Haul it to the top of the mast. Take the piece of string which seems to have no end in both hands and pull it until the snuffer reaches the top of the mast.

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[TRH]

Come on Guys & Girls This is the font of all Knowledge someone must know.

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[AuntyRinum]

I told you the answer. Your description describes a run of the mill snuffer. You connect a halyard to the top of the snuffer, pull it to the top of the mast, take the rope which appears to be endless, keep pulling it and the snuffer will uncover the sail.
Nothing difficult about it, just do it.

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[TRH]

Many thanks to BrettH of the (Diplomatic Service), I will tell my friend to just do it.

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[AuntyRinum]

Well I took the trouble to answer you the first time. How many times would you like me to repeat it? Why post again asking for the answer when I already gave it to you? Is this a wind up?

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[BrendanS]

Brett, it wasn't the most helpful post, and sounded a little glib. If I were to approach it from scratch, I'd like to know where to start with putting attachment points, and where this continous line should be attached to

I read this post as a stinkie, and have no idea where to start?

I can work out that the spiral goes around the spinnaker! I think

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[AuntyRinum]

Brendan, I know it sounds glib but it really is that simple. The snuffer is a sock the same height as the spinnaker. It completely encases the spinaker - think condom and the principle is the same. The head of the spinaker is fed up through the snuffer and is permanently attached to the ring at the top of the snuffer. On the outside of the snuffer is a continuous (circular) rope the length of the snuffer. When you want to fly the spinaker you attach the spinaker halyard to the top of the snuffer and pull it to the top of the mast with the spinaker inside it. You then pull on the continuous rope which pulls the bottom of the snuffer to the top of the mast uncovering the spinaker. When you want to douse the spinaker you pull the continuous rope in the other direction and the snuffer comes down again literally snuffing the spinaker.
It really is very simple and when I said just do it, I really meant it. If you pull it all up the mast it becomes immediately obvious how it works. A really useful piece of kit. I sail singlehanded a lot and have one for my cruising chute.
Nuff snuffers.

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[JamesS]

I've just bought a snuffer - not like yours but the principle is probable the same.

If you haven't already attached the spinnaker, there should be a small strop and shackle on the inside of the snuffer at the top end.

Attach your spinnaker to this and slide the snuffer over the sail.

There should be a block at the top end on the outside of the snuffer - attach this to your halyard and up she goes.

There should be a rope that goes up the inside of the snuffer - through the block and down the outside with both end attached to the mouth of the snuffer.

Pull of this to uncover your sail.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

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[TRH]

Hi a big thank you to you all for reponding, and especially thanks to BrendanS for intervening, (I am also a Motorboat man) and to JamesS for very good working description, even a Motorboat man can understand.

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by TRH on 02/11/2003 13:19 (server time).</FONT></P>