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Spinnaker Guy Line Block

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Rich G
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226 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/03/2009 : 13:40:23

We're rigging our boat to fly our new tri-radial spinnaker. I think I've got everything figured out except where to mount the guy line block. Can anyone offer any tips?

Rich

Cerberus
Hull #4695
1984 SR/FK No Pop-Top

Edited by - on

two port feet
1st Mate

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Response Posted - 05/03/2009 : 14:09:09

Rich: You mite check out the CD sit under C27, Traveler Control Blocks (port & starbart) good clean setup. sory for not including a photo, I only point click.

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Rich G
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Response Posted - 05/03/2009 : 14:28:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by two port feet
 Rich: You mite check out the CD sit under C27, Traveler Control Blocks (port & starbart) good clean setup. sory for not including a photo, I only point click.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'm not sure how this would help? The Guy Line block for the spinnaker mounts forwards of the mast, (right?) to help position the spinnaker pole. I'm not sure I understand how a traveler control block would help?

I've never even flown a spinnaker on someone else's boat; I'm quite ignorant. Talk to me like I'm a 6 year old and I might understand.

Really. I mean it. Dumb it down. I promise I won't be insulted.

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dmpilc
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Response Posted - 05/03/2009 : 19:29:14

Here's what I know about flying a spinnaker: First, unless already there, your forestay needs to be moved to the second or inner pin on the front of your masthead. Then you will add a swivel block to the front pin. This block will hold the spinnaker halyard. Secure the shackle end to the front of the bow pulpit so it is in front of the forestay and tie off the other end to a cleat on the mast just above the boom on the starboard side or run it through a block at the base of the mast and back to the cockpit.
Part way up the mast, below the steaming light, you need a pad eye and another swivel block. This will hold the topping lift for the spinnaker pole. This line should be cleated on the port side of the mast or also run through turning blocks and back to the cockpit. On the deck in front of the forward hatch, you need to mount another block. This will be for your spinnaker pole downhaul. Some people just use a bungee here.
The other lines will be the ones connected to the lower corners of the spinnaker. These are the sheet and guy and their roles will change depending on which side the pole is on. The guy will be the line the spinnaker pole is attached to. The guy and sheet blocks will be attached on each side of the boat near the stern. Sometimes the stern cleats will be used if your blocks have a snap shackle attached.
I know this was long-winded but I hope it helps.

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Rich G
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Response Posted - 05/03/2009 : 20:45:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 Here's what I know about flying a spinnaker:

On the deck in front of the forward hatch, you need to mount another block. This will be for your spinnaker pole downhaul. Some people just use a bungee here.

I know this was long-winded but I hope it helps.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I think this is exactly what I'm looking for. Again everything else I think I pretty much had figured out and installed earlier today (the mast work).

So I mount it in front of the forward hatch? How far in front? If I'm planning on running this back to the cockpit, it needs to get into the port side deck organizer somehow. Will it clear the cabin?

So many questions. You may feel you were long winded, but I'm hoping you might have another gust to send my way.

Thanks for the insight!

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dmpilc
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Response Posted - 05/04/2009 : 08:15:27

I would think to place it on the deck centerline between the deck house and the skylight. I suggest putting your spinnaker pole on the mast ring, raise it level, and see where the ring on the lower bridle hangs down. That will give you an idea about where to place the deck block. Also, if you have a mast plate with multiple attachment points or a loop on the front of the mast step, I suggest running the downhaul line to a swivel block there and then to the deck organizer. In fact, if you have the mast plate, you might be able to run the dounhaul line directly to the swivel block there at the mast plate/step and on to the deck organizer, avoiding having to install a block on the forward deck altogether. Try that first! You can always install the deck block later if it doesn't work.
Also, if you can, walk the docks and look at other boats near you that are spinnaker rigged, and talk to those owners when you see them.

Edited by - dmpilc on 05/04/2009 08:28:29

dmpilc
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Response Posted - 05/04/2009 : 10:00:03

Here are some diagrams by Harkin. See first diagram:

http://www.harken.com/rigtips/spinnaker.php

Edited by - dmpilc on 05/04/2009 10:01:00

millermg
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Response Posted - 05/05/2009 : 07:49:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 I would think to place it on the deck centerline between the deck house and the skylight. I suggest putting your spinnaker pole on the mast ring, raise it level, and see where the ring on the lower bridle hangs down. That will give you an idea about where to place the deck block. Also, if you have a mast plate with multiple attachment points or a loop on the front of the mast step, I suggest running the downhaul line to a swivel block there and then to the deck organizer. In fact, if you have the mast plate, you might be able to run the dounhaul line directly to the swivel block there at the mast plate/step and on to the deck organizer, avoiding having to install a block on the forward deck altogether. Try that first! You can always install the deck block later if it doesn't work.
Also, if you can, walk the docks and look at other boats near you that are spinnaker rigged, and talk to those owners when you see them.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If you're going to use a bridle to attach your downhaul to the pole (a slightly slack line tied to both ends of the pole with the downhaul line attached in the middle) the downhaul block must be located directly below the center of the pole as it's attached and extended 90 degrees forward from the mast. If you plan on connecting your downhaul line directly to a pad eye at the center of the pole, you may run the downhaul to a block at the mast plate at the base of the mast as suggested above.

The latter configuration is easier to sail with, as it doesn't require constant adjustment of the downhaul line length as the pole moves forward and aft with the wind angle. However, the downhaul line connected to the center of the pole pulling down creates bending forces in the pole, and depending on the strenght of your spar and the wind you plan on sailing in, can break the pole. (I've accomplished this feat on a 20' boat) The bridle connection is safer, as it distributes the load evenly to both ends of the pole.

On my boat, the genoa car tracks go almost to the stern. I have an extra set of genoa cars with blocks attached through which I run my spinnaker sheet and guy lines.

Incidentally, if you look at that Harkin Diagram above on the standard sheets diagram, blocks D and E create a "twinger", which is alernative to the downhaul. These work by pulling the guy line down to the deck, preventing the pole from rising. When you jibe the pole to the other side, and your old sheet becomes your new guy line, you release the old twinger and tighten the new one. On our boat, I'd mount these just forward of the upper shroud. One advantage of these are you can tighten the twinger on the sheet some as well, which chokes down the spinnaker and helps control it when you feel like it's getting windy and out of control!

Edited by - millermg on 05/05/2009 07:59:10

Champipple
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Response Posted - 05/07/2009 : 05:03:56

http://catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/flywasp.asp

Read the Tech tip above written by me.

Both of your blocks should be mounted as far aft as possible. You additionally want two twing lines, one on each side, to pull the guy line in while on a particular gybe. The twing lines should ideally be mounted at the widest beam of the boat.

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Rich G
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Response Posted - 05/07/2009 : 09:00:11

I'm sorry. I should have specified that I'm referring to the Fore Guy block. I have read your article, and somehow the first time through I missed this quote in the "Pole" section:

"We positioned our foreguy block on the forward base of the mast. Catalina has theirs positioned on the foredeck itself. In my opinion, for boats our size, the few feet of difference has no effect or relevance."

That is essentially what I was looking for. It seems as though mounting an additional piece of hardware on the fore deck is not really necessary and I can try placing a turning block at the mastplate and then run it aft through the deck organizer. At least that's what I think I'm reading in the above Tech Tip and other replies.

I thank all for your replies and futile attempts towards my education. I hate drilling into my deck and would like to avoid as much of it as possible if it's not needed, especially if I miscalculate it's position!

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Champipple
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Response Posted - 05/07/2009 : 10:18:09

I put mine at the base of the mast and we had sufficient pressure to keep the pole from skying. On lazy days when it was light and we didn't feel like rigging for a lot we put a bungee on the pole back to the base of the mast.

Original drawings show the block to be forward of the anchor locker - which in my opinion is about the same distance from the center of the pole as the mast base is. Thus making my decision not to drill holes very easy.

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