Forums, Mast, Rigging and Sails, Rigging a Spinnaker

Inara at 13/05/2018 08:42:10
Hello everybody, first post from me, though I suspect there will be many more to come.

I have recently bought Inara and hopefully she will be on the water soon. She currently having all new standing rigging, new running rigging and lots of hull and sail tlc.
I would be very grateful if any of the racers on here could explain or even better upload some pics of how they have set up the various blocks etc for guys/sheets/pole topping lift/downhaul etc. Also how they have run the downhaul back to the cockpit.
I’m about to fit deck organisers and new clutches so would be interested to know which ones others have found to work well.

Also interested to know whether you dip pole or end for end, and whether you tend to use sheets and guys or just sheets with barber haulers etc.

Another question somewhat unrelated, how do you attach halyards? With knots to captive pin shackles? Spliced shackles? Soft shackles?

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Sweyn

George Isted at 01/06/2018 06:53:26
Hi Sweyn,

Racing Contessa’s run a sheet and a guy on each side with the sheet going though a block just forward of the pushpit and the guy goes through a block attached to the base of the staunchen base that is just forward of the cockpit.

Most racing Contessa’s will do end-to-end jibes so a bridle is required on the pole for uphaul and downhaul if there is not one already.

A 2:1 purchase on the downhaul is a good idea and easily achieved and you have the option of bringing it back to the cockpit on one side of the hatch or on both sides for easier acces for adjustment. A camcleat is better than a clutch for the downhaul for quick adjustmen, cheaper too.

Most boats use snapshackles for headsail attachment but there is a move towards using soft shackles, particularly for Genoa sheets which is a good idea.

Hope this helps a bit and good luck getting the boat ready. If you need more help feel free to ask.

Inara at 16/06/2018 09:15:37
Hi George, thank you very much for getting back to me. That’s a great help. Saves me lots of trial and error. Inara is on the water now and sails beautifully, but lots more tweaks to go…..