A well-designed system makes all the difference when setting, flying and jibing the spinnaker. Trimming involves three adjustments: raising or lowering the pole, moving the outboard end of the pole forward or aft, and pulling in or easing the sheet.
Typical Boat Length:
Small Boat: 22' - 28' (6.7 - 8.5 m)
Midrange: 29' - 34' (8.8 - 10.4 m)
Big Boat: 35' - 42' (10.7 - 12.8 m)
Standard Sheets
Masthead rigs to 28 ft (8.5 m) and fractional rigs to 32 ft (9.7 m) use one pair of lines which lead to turning blocks at the transom. Tweakers bring the guy to the deck near the point of maximum beam to provide additional control over the spinnaker pole. One foreguy line is appropriate for these boats.
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Standard Sheets & Guys
Offshore boats over 30 ft (9 m) use separate sheets and guys. The sheets lead to turning blocks at the transom, while the guys lead to blocks at the point of maximum beam and then to a winch. A double-ended foreguy adjusts from either side of the boat.
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Asymetrical on Sprit
Boats with asymmetrical spinnakers and retractable (or removable) bowsprits are rigged with a tack line leading through a block on the end of the sprit, and aft to a cleat or stopper. Two sheets attach to the clew of the sail, with the lazy sheet leading aft ahead of the headstay, over the sprit, and outside the shrouds and sheets.
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Continuous Line - Multihulls
Beachcats install two carbo auto ratchets on each side of the boat to manage high spinnaker sheet loads. Use 57 mm ratchets on catamarans up to 20 ft (6 m). Use 75 mm ratchets on multihulls to 30 ft (9 m).
Diagram
Ref. |
Description |
8' - 14'
(2.4 - 4.3 m) |
15' - 20'
(4.6 - 6 m) |
21' - 30'
(6.4 - 9 m) |
| A |
Single |
2608
|
2625 |
2680 |
| B |
Single |
348 |
2650 |
2600 |
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