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Spinnaker launching bags?

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josh-hansen
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/06/2009 : 00:26:52

I have two questions:
1) Anyone had experience launching a spinnaker from the cabin using a launch bag suspended from the cieling with the hatch slid open (like on a J24)? This seems like the best way to quickly launch with 3+ crew as it is easily within reach and can be set up well before needed. See website http://www.sonata.org.uk/hints/spinni.php

2) Will a bungee really work for the pole down haul, as has been suggested?

Josh Hansen

Edited by - on

DJAnderson
1st Mate

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USA
29 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2009 : 09:43:44

I've successfully used bungee down hauls (not quite a 'foreguy') on smaller boats. It works fine as long as you have a way to get a reasonable downward angle on your afterguy. A twing in the neighborhood of the chain plates works well for this.

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SailCO26
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2009 : 12:30:32

We use a spin bag from the cabin on the J/80 I crew on. Works great, until you need to get in the cabin. The companionway on a J/80 is pretty tight (I'm not THAT fat!). That said, it IS a racing boat and it's not all that frequently we go in/out of the cabin.

I have a companionway spin bag for my CP25, but have yet to hang/use it. I have a lot of small repairs in the kite from companionway launches, so thinking this might be the year to give it a shot.

Edit - forgot Q2: Given the force I've seen on the downhaul, I dont think I'd have much faith in the "bungee" route for a sail this big in much over very light air.

Jim

Edited by - SailCO26 on 03/06/2009 12:33:22

andy
Navigator

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USA
228 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 11:23:09

This set up works fairly well for us. I haven't tried launching out of the hatch. There's not much to get hung up on off the bow. I single hand my spinny (asym) easily.

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andy
Navigator

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USA
228 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 11:35:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by andy
 This set up works fairly well for us. I haven't tried launching out of the hatch. There's not much to get hung up on off the bow. I single hand my spinny (asym) easily.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I like the idea of the main hatch launch as shown in the link... not as much for the launch as the recovery. I see no issue with the weight of the spinnaker on the bow. I would tend to go with what ever method is the most reliable. A little slower launching is better than dealing with a hang up in the rig.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 11:48:00

Andy,
Could you write up your steps to single hand launch your spinnaker? I'd be interested to know your technique.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 12:16:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 Andy,
Could you write up your steps to single hand launch your spinnaker? I'd be interested to know your technique.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Me too!

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josh-hansen
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2009 : 22:53:55

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the pics. I was thinking of that exact picture when I posed the question.

We'll try it from the bow as you do and see how it goes (I have a bag just like yours).

Do you keep your sheets tied to the base of the pulpit or attached to the spin? What about the spin halyard? I would love to hear your steps as well.

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SailCO26
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2009 : 08:22:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by andy
 ...I single hand my spinny (asym) easily.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Is it just me, or is that actually a symmetrical kite?

I have a couple of spins in turtle bags like that, and several of the CP22 boats around here launch from them succesfully. I'm not a fan of the weight that far forward (crew, not the sail), but it's really only a recovery issue - not launch/jibe. The only other issue I could see would be the kite picking up wind early on in the set, making that more difficult; where the companionway launch it's blanketed by the main while going up. But I always say do whatever works for you! :)

Jim

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2009 : 12:47:37

I launch exactly as shown in Andy's picture, from a turtle bag in the bow pulpit.

I generally douse directly into the cabin. Then go up, retrieve the bag, repack the chute inside. You need 2, 50 foot long sheets for this.

Never use a bungie as the foreguy in any kind of wind.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2009 : 12:48:14

Oh yeah, I made my own turtle bag in about 4 hours from a kit from Sailrite for $40.

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2009 : 13:10:34

I launch my asymm from its spinnaker sock. Relatively simple and safe for novices like me. To hoist the sock I hang the spin bag on the ring on my mast, which is for a PO's spin pole.

Different story single-handed if your chute is a symm and pole and guys, like JimB describes.

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andy
Navigator

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USA
228 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2009 : 01:03:43

First of all, it's a 3/4oz (light air) asymmetrical chute... in a sock. I rig it and sometimes launch it in the slip if I know I'm going to use it. I like to do that to make sure the sheets aren't fouled. I've got the jib and spinn halyards led aft. The Spin tack is also led aft and is adjustable on the forstay. That allows attachment above the headsail after pulling it down to the deck. All I have to do is attach the head to the halyard, snap the tack to the forstay and go back to the cockpit and crank the sock up, set the course to a nice easy reach (with the autopilot) go back to the mast and pull the sock halyard.

Once its flying, I can ease back closer to wind and pole it out, jibe the main, hook up the preventer and then go down below and pour 2 fingers of Pyrat rum.

I only fly the thing in light air(under 8 kts or so) And when reaching with it I really watch for puffs. I usually don't race with it although I have, because my old blown out 155 works almost as well on a run and I don't like to pay the spinnaker handicap penalty.

It is fun do use though and I'm told really pretty from the beach.

4th of July parade... we're towing the hobie. There are 3 C25/s (friends) flying spinnakers.

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SailCO26
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2009 : 08:55:07

An A-sail with a pole? Hey, if it works, go for it! Guess I'm not used to A-sails being cross-cut, either...

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andy
Navigator

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USA
228 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2009 : 10:40:39

I guess what I forgot to say in the previous post was to single hand an autopilot, tiller tamer or at the very least, three wraps around the tiller with a dock line is part of the equation. I have a tiller autopilot that works great. You just need to be able to hold a course for a bit while you're forward.
I've messed with all kinds of sail and rig configurations. Some work, some aren't worth the trouble but are fun. A fairly effective method for running say on port is to put the main out to windward with a preventer rigged and pole out the chute to starboard. Obviously, you need to reach close to the wind... just steer the boat to keep the main full.
Our race set up is simple. Our lake is small so the course has typically short legs. I don't mess with the spinnaker much.
This year we'll be using a new North Norlam radial 150 to around 15Kt. We then switch to a North 110 jib that actually measures to about a #3 on the tall rig. In 20kt+ we go to the storm sail with a reef. The boat will hit hull speed close hauled with that set up (if it's blowing hard enough). The mainsail is a Doyle full battened with a shelf foot and one reef.

I'm anxious to see how the new 150 works out. We've been using a Doyle Pentex tri for the last few years. I've modified it some and managed to get the draft too far aft(too much experimenting). It makes a lot of power now but it's too draggy and doesn't point like it should. I can't wait for the lake to thaw.

Here's a link to our club website if anyone's interested. Come visit this summer and sail with us. It's heaven on earth!

http://mhyacht.com/

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