Torque rope

[marie galante]

We're considering modifying an existing asymmetric spinnaker by the addition of a torque rope on the luff, to facilitate furling/tacking/drop, but are startled by the quoted cost of a 'Torque Rope'.

Does anyone here know of a ( much ) cheaper commercial alternative?

 

[Len Ingalls]

Do you have a "top down" furler?

http://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Flying-Sail-Furlers

Cheers/ Len

 

[Neeves]

On our screacher, similar to a Code Zero we have a double dyneema luff cord separated by an alloy device at the head thats like a sheave. The cord, its continuous from foot to head back to foot is separated by about 50mm-60mm. The halyard is a 2:1 purchase dyneema. The tension in the halyard and thus the luff cords is such that we simply furl round the 'separated' luff cords. I think Harken make a 'head board' for this arrangement but ours looks to be much simpler and cheaper. I'd take a picture but its at the top of the mast! The screacher stays 'up', furled, ours is Mylar with a UV strip.

We can only furl with the halyard bar tight. If we sail bar tight the halyard needs to stay on the winch as the clutch will cut and strip off the outer braided cover (been there, done that). You need good swivels or the sail will furl itself round the halyard. You need a 2:1 purchase for the same reason, it stops the halyard twisting on itself.

The headboard, I don't know what sailmakers call it, is simply 2 aluminium plates, like a elongated 'D' with the sheave in the curve of the 'D'. Or a rectangular plate with the narrow end curved to take the sheave. Sheave is a grand name, it does not turn, simply supports and provides the 60mm separation. Its thin, as the luff cord can only be 6mm braided dyneema. The luff cord sits in 'hems' its only attached at the foot, so we can tension it if necessary. You could very easily make the head board yourself.

Jonathan

 

[simonfraser]

not sure if a torque rope is needed if you furl your sails using your brain
my code zero furls just fine under 20 knots apparent, easy to arrange
guess if you insist on racing and furling in excessive wind to save a few secs the special rope may be worth it

 

[knuterikt]

We're considering modifying an existing asymmetric spinnaker by the addition of a torque rope on the luff, to facilitate furling/tacking/drop, but are startled by the quoted cost of a 'Torque Rope'.

Does anyone here know of a ( much ) cheaper commercial alternative?

It's not clear from your post what solution's you are looking at.
For top down furlers the quality of the "torque rope" is vital, if the "toque rope" starts to wind up you will get "back spinn" at the end of the furling session causing the sail to wrap itself in - not fun..
When the first furlers for asymmetric was introduced this was a real problem.
Facnor used a system with a sentral furling line going from middle of the 'torque rope' to the middle of the luff to work around this. (this is what I have).
Selden had problems with the first 'torque ropes' used with their top down furler.
It seems they have now found ropes that can work with top down furling, Facnor just introduced their top down furler.

If you are really thinking about attaching the "torque rope" to the luff, as is done with code 0 and some other Code sails it's a different thing.
The torque rope on my code 0 is not the same type that is used for top down systems.