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Asymmetrical spinnaker tackline setup

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buzzardsolo
Deckhand

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USA
18 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/26/2009 : 19:07:12

I've got an asymmetrical spinnaker that I plan to fly with an ATN Tacker. The tackline needs to be run through a block at the bow (see photo at http://www.atninc.com/tacker.html )

Although the Catalina 25 stem fitting has three holes aft of the forestay attachment point that would work just fine, the CDI Flexible Furler drum (unlike the furler drum in the above photo) sits lower and directly over the three holes and gets in the in the way of rigging it as in the photo.

I've searched through the technical tips, the forums and the galleries but came up empty. Any suggestions or alternative methods to run the tackline would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

1987 FK #5698 ESMERALDA
Padanaram Harbor
Buzzards Bay

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farrison
Navigator

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USA
166 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2009 : 08:26:52

I have a roller furler, and I use a tacker with my asym also. I attached my block to the stem fitting with a 12" to 14" inch pendant or line. The load from the asym pulls the block and pendant up and back, and therefore clear of my drum. This also gets the asym up just a little so it is less of a deck sweeper. Adjust the length of the pendant so the block is about the same distance away (or less) from the furled sail as the tack of the asym.

Paul

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2009 : 08:33:14

I use a 4' steel cable "pennant" that runs through a block attached to a snap shackle at the stem fitting. Although I do not have roller furling, when my asymm fills the tack line runs forward and up from the stem fitting, not along the forestay. I have a thing similar to the ATN tacker that rides along the forestay and the tack line is to the front of that, like in the photo and video from ATN.

So I think you may not need to worry about the furler interfering with the asymm tack line.

Since this is the first season I'm using an adjustable tack line, I just learned that I cannot trim the tack line when flying my asymm, due to the large force on the line. I plan to add a 3:1 block and tackle at the cockpit end of the tack line to help pull the tack down under load along the pennant's 4' length.

Or I may try using my winch handle (for once) with 3 turns of the tack line around a cockpit winch.

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2009 : 08:43:37

It's obvious once you see it in the video, but I have been releasing the asymm sheet from the foredeck just before dousing the sail with the sleeve.

I think I'll try putting a snap shackle on the "tacker" to blow the tack before dousing next time. In the video it looks so much easier than feeding out spin sheet to keep the sail under control while hauling down the sleeve over it. But the video was taken with perhaps 5 knots of wind. It will be interesting to see how reliable blowing the tack is in 10 knots! I would still need to release the sheets to stow the sail, and singlehanded that's another trip to the cockpit and back to the foredeck!

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2009 : 10:26:22

I have a Snap Furl roller furler so the drum is a bit smaller than yours. I am able to attach the furler to the rear-most hole in the stem fitting and a turning block in the forward-most hole. My tack line runs from the cockpit,through the block on the stem, and up to the "Tacker".

This summer I intend trying to use my wisker pole, properly braced, as a sprit so I can move the tack line out in front of the boat...just to see how it works.

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buzzardsolo
Deckhand

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USA
18 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2009 : 16:35:25

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by farrison
 I attached my block to the stem fitting with a 12" to 14" inch pendant or line. The load from the asym pulls the block and pendant up and back, and therefore clear of my drum...

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

Paul,

If I'm understanding you correctly, the block on the 12" pendant gets pulled back towards the cockpit, so the tackline would then run up to your tacker on either port or starboard of the furled headsail. What happens when you gybe?

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farrison
Navigator

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USA
166 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2009 : 10:13:26

Buzz;

My asym "lives" inside of the forestay/furler, and I use it like a big headsail, so I don't gybe, I have to tack. Because the top of the furler (old and unidentified) has a big knuckle on it, my forestay is attached to the outside clevis on the masthead, for clearance for this knuckle to spin without hitting the mast. The block for the spinaker halyard is attached to the inside clevis, so I would have to add a bail or masthead crane to fly my spin outside, and gybe, and then rig the sail tack accordingly.

Paul

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.