Using spin pole as a bowsprit above the Pulpit

[dexneverathome]

Is there anything wrong with this arrangement to fly an asymmetric spin? I’ve seen ads for a tacker where the tack of the sail is run off the forestay.
This arrangement would push the tack out beyond my pulpit. The pole can be tied to the forestay when used as a bowsprit.

 

[RJJ]

From a sailing point of view, nothing at all, as long as the sail is the appropriate size particularly in the luff. If luff is too tall, you won't be able to sail very close to the wind.

From a technical point of view, I personally wouldn't want the forestay pressed sideways like that. The load is huge. I would happily use this setup with an asy as long as there was a guy, downhaul and uphaul so the pole is a few inches off the forestay.

 

[dexneverathome]

Would you say the loads are any different to those on a tacker? The tacker appears to load the forestay without any additional support.

 

[goeasy123]

See Sailing Yacht Florence on YT. They do it a lot. I think they guy the pole so that it doesn't bear on the forestay.

 

[RJJ]

Would you say the loads are any different to those on a tacker? The tacker appears to load the forestay without any additional support.

If the tackline (is that what you mean?) is led to the deck fitting, then it's correct. The load is into the bows.

The loads of the pole pressing sideways on the forestay are different. In any breeze I would worry about breaking the forestay, the bow fitting, or the pole. Preferably the latter as it's cheaper, but you don't get time to choose.

 

[RJJ]

See Sailing Yacht Florence on YT. They do it a lot. I think they guy the pole so that it doesn't bear on the forestay.

Like he says. If the load is on the guy, maybe with a jockey pole, it's absolutely fine and she will broach long before she breaks.

 

[dexneverathome]

See Sailing Yacht Florence on YT. They do it a lot. I think they guy the pole so that it doesn't bear on the forestay.

Thank you for the pointer to sailing yacht Florence, lots of useful info there. I’ve now resolved how I will fly it.
Thank you everyone for your contributions.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

One of the first "don'ts" I was told, when learning to use an a symmetric spinaker was "don't let the pole come into contact with the forestay".

 

[[70521]]

I'd be very careful how you attach the pole and the loads that it may have to endure. I've had a pole bend to 90° due to not loading it correctly.

 

[RobF]

I'd be very careful how you attach the pole and the loads that it may have to endure. I've had a pole bend to 90° due to not loading it correctly.

Agreed. Lots of the VDS Dehlers were designed with spinnaker poles to act as bowsprits. They even had a special mounting bracket in the pulpit to facilitate this. As a result, lots of these boats have bent spinnaker poles. My rigger informed me that spinnaker poles are designed to withstand compression loads, and not the lateral forces that you might get with a bowsprit. Therefore, the handling of the loads need to thought through.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

When I do get around to experimenting with my assymetric, I intend to rig the pole so that it sits down firmly into the bow "roller". (I use inverted commas because It does not have a revolving pulley in the conventional sense, just a sort of chute over which the anchor chain can run, hence difficult to attach anything to it.)
In this position I feel that it will not be deflected sideways to impact the forestay. I will probably have to additionally secure it with something like a large cable tie , so that the loads will be localised at the end of the pole, so that there is minimal bending moment. I will, of course, have to gybe the sail forward of the forestay.