On theWater On the Water
This time of year is often a windy one; however there are still many great sailing days to be had before laying up your yacht for the winter. This month we will cover the subject of flying a spinnaker. By Charlie Hutton of Atlantic Spars
f your mental image of a spinnaker is one of a yacht lying on its side after a big broach then don’t be put off. Remember that these are usually racing yachts which are being pushed to the limit. You can compare it to watching motor racing – you would leave your car in the garage. So how do you fly a spinnaker safely? Let us consider boats around 32’, that just have a sheet and a guy, effectively two sheets, one attached to each corner of the sail. The first thing is to make sure that you have all the correct equipment i.e. spinna- ker halyard, sheets about twice the length of the boat, a pole with the same fittings both ends and bridles for the lift and down- haul. A pole uphaul halyard, a downhaul system and, of course, a spinnaker. Once you have all the equipment, prac- tise setting it up on the mooring with your usual crew, to make sure everybody knows what is going to happen before the sail is hoisted. Remember that the sheets need to be led around outside of the stanchions, shrouds and forestay; that the windward sheet (guy) is hooked into the end of the pole. Do not connect the pole directly to the spinnaker: this is very important. With hook shaped pole ends, the hook faces upwards. Also, do not put stopper knots in the ends of the sheets in case of needing to ‘blow’ the spin- naker. The time has come to do things for real. Pack the spinnaker in its turtle with the three corners organised port and starboard and the head towards the front. Make sure that the luff tapes of the sail are not twisted by first running each tape in turn from the head to the corners. Choose a day with a steady force 2-3, and set up your yacht on a broad reach. Place the turtle in the pulpit and clip it on, attach the sheets and
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halyard, checking again that the sheets are outside everything, set up the pole as you have previously practised with the windward sheet (guy) in the end of the pole.
naker flaps. Cleat off the guy and pull in on the sheet until the front of the sail just stops flapping and occasion- ally curls. Then, sit back and enjoy. As a good guide both corners of the spinnaker should be level, with the spinnaker pole horizontal at about shoulder height. Keep the boat track- ing straight to get a feel of things, then try altering course up and down about 10 degrees. Trim the sheet and guy so that the pole stays at 90 degrees to the wind and the luff of the sail is just curling. Now, give yourself time to get it
Hoist the spinnaker as fast as you can and sheet in on the guy to bring the pole aft to about 30 degrees for- ward from the mast. At this point the sheet will be leaping about as the spin-
down. Let the guy run freely and start lowering the halyard quickly but in a controlled way so you do not drop the sail in the water. Grab the sheet and pull the spinnaker in under the boom
Unit 25 Osprey Quay Portland Marina
01305 826220/01803 845475
www.pedrosyachtrefinishing.co.uk
The Leading Yacht Painter & Repairer in the South West; specialising in high quality topsides painting, osmosis treatment & prevention, insurance approved repair centre; from a small repair to a total refit - the only Blakes and AWLGRIP Approved Centres in the area. Our services include:-
■ High quality AWLGRIP yacht painters ■ Structural & cosmetic GRP Repairs ■ Installation of bow and stern thrusters ■ Dinghy Repair & Restoration ■ Osmosis treatment using the HotVac system ■ Osmosis prevention ■ Varnish work ■ Boatyard Repairs ■ Gel Coat Peeler ■ Marine Paints & Coatings
The West Country’s Leading Yacht Rigger & Mast Manufacturer Extensive range of mast spares and fittings, regional Selden dinghy & yacht centre.
www.spars.co.uk Unit 25 Osprey Quay, Portland Marina, Portland Dorset DT5 1DX - 01305 826220/01803 843322
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