Rigging for Spinnaker
by Gene Ferguson
Spinnaker
rigging is straightforward in principle. However most boats are tailored to the
individual taste. Following is a list of items needed for launching and flying a
Spinnaker.
Spinnaker:
A triangular
sail. The halyard attaches to the head (A) and the sheets attach to the clues
(B). It is made of nylon and is used for reaching and running with the wind to
increase the sail area and increase the boat speed. Also used to create
confusion and chaos on what would normally be a pleasant down wind sail. The
Spinnaker is normally packed in a bag (C) or basket. When launching from the bow
of the boat it is in a bag that can be attached to the pulpit and forestay and
is pulled up in front of the boat. When launching from the cabin it is in a
basket or bag and is pulled up behind the Genoa on the leeward side of the boat.
Spinnaker sheets: One for each clue (E), used to trim the
Spinnaker. The confusing issue is that one is a sheet and the other is a guy.
The one connected to the Spinnaker pole is the guy and the other is the sheet.
When a jibe occurs, the one becomes the other and vice versa. Confusing? Just
remember that when a Spinnaker sheet is connected to a Spinnaker pole it is no
longer a sheet.
Spinnaker sheet turning blocks:
Blocks positioned
at the stern of the boat. This is to give the spinnaker sheet and guy plenty of
room to let the Spinnaker fly high above the deck of the boat. It is preferable
that these blocks be ratchet blocks so that they can bear some of the load on
the sheet and guy.
Tweakers: Lines led from cabin through a fairlead (F) on the
outer edge of the boat, close to the aft lower, and connected to
the Spinnaker guy (E). These are sometimes referred to as twings. They are used
to change the lead angle of the Spinnaker guy on a reach to
keep the guy off the shrouds.
They are also used in high wind for choking the spinnaker. By pulling both tweakers down
it pulls the tack & clue down and closer to the boat, thus stabilizing the
Spinnaker and minimizing oscillation.
Spinnaker
halyard: A
line (J) at the top of the mast used for hoisting the Spinnaker. On our boat the
halyard runs through a lance cleat (K) 7 feet off the deck. This
is for the foredeck person to hoist the Spinnaker. It
also runs to the base of the mast and through a turning block (L) and
back to the cabin top for hoisting when short handed. Then un-cleat at the mast.
Spinnaker
pole: An 8’
pole with a fitting on each end of the pole. The fitting is used to connect one
end of the pole to the Spinnaker Pole slide (car) and the other end
to the Spinnaker guy.
Spinnaker
pole bridle:
A line connected to each end of the pole with a connection half way between each
end for connecting the pole topping lift and pole downhaul (foreguy). This
facilitates end for end jibing with the pole.
Spinnaker
pole topping lift:
A line connected to the pole and used to hold the outer end of the pole up to
the desired height.
Spinnaker pole downhaul (foreguy):
A line connected to the pole and used to keep the pole from rising too high.
Spinnaker pole slide (car) (G):
A mechanism on the Mast track with a stopper pin and an attached ring used to adjust
the inner end of the Spinnaker pole. On our boat we mechanism on the back half
of the ring. This is to restrict the Spinnaker pole end from turning and getting
on the back side of the ring when the pole is lowered. Without this, the pole
can twist and get hung up when the car is raised on the track.
Mast
track: Aluminum
T-track (H) 8’ long starting 32” of the deck for the Spinnaker pole slide to
fit on. This facilitates height adjustment to the inner end of the pole.