spinnaker sets

[Phil]

Hello,

I have a quick question regarding spinnaker takedowns. We hoist and takedown from the companionway. Once the spinnaker is in the bag how do you get ready for the next set? Do you remove the sheet, guy and halyard and repack the spinnaker? I know this is a very broad question but I would like to get views on some of the options that are being used.

Thanks so much
Phil

[Tom Elsen]

Hi Phil
Assuming you set on starboard jibe (the chute launched over the port side) and you do a windward takedown, you should be able to leave everything connected and reset without any problem.

[Tim Bosma]

I agree with Tom. When we pull the spinnaker in on port, we leave everything hooked up. It is ready for the next standard set that way. If tactician Jeff calls for a port set, we unhook the lines and attached the sail corners to the bag (three velcros), hook the shackles together in a bunch, and pass it around the bow, usually without leaving the cockpit. Then we clip on the spinny again and have a clean set.

[Sam Buschell]

How is a windward takedown done? My crew and I are having trouble in this department. Every time we try one things get pretty gummed up. Pole hitting the srouds, spinnaker looks like it will rip on the spreader, etc. Are there some basics, or secrets someone would be kind enough to share?
Thanks
Sam

[Jeffrey]

This is how we do it, right or wrong. With the chute up on the port tack with the pole on the port clew, coming to the mark to be rounded to port. Put the keel down, Put the genoa up, then we take the pole down flying the chute without the pole for a few last seconds then go forward grab the windward or port spinnaker sheet ahead of the tweeker, pull the foot around to the compion way bag. Now release the spinnaker halyard and dump it into the bag. Our spinnaker halyard exits the mast on the port side so it doesn't have to cross over the jib halyard and forestay. Last week we were coming into the leeward mark on a tight reach with the chute up, this makes it more difficult to keep it out of the spreaders when taking down the chute, the top three boats all went upwind with their chute caught in the spreaders. In this case it might help to release the halyard as you bring the foot around but not so fast as to dump it into the lake. Hope this helps! Jeff Skyhawk #250

[Philly]

How many do you have on board and who is doing what during the spinnaker hoist and takedown? We have our bowman setting the pole, jumping the halyard and raising the board, pit handles the spinnaker halyard and jib halyard, main deals with the main, driver drives. We have our trimmer and grinder left to keep the boat going fast while rounding the mark, prefeed the guy, get the spinnaker up, and drop the jib.... It just seems so crazy and we all get in the way. One last question? When jibing the pole do you have someone assist the bowman in getting the sheet in the jaws of the pole? By the way, If we have our full crew of six, I will trim, if we have five, I'm the bowman and trimmer...
Thanks for sharing you experience.

[Tom Line]

Well, my basic setup is different then yours - I helm and trim the mainsail.

You only need one person trimming the genoa on roundings, and that leaves the other 3 for getting the spinnaker down.

Synopsis:
Coming into the leeward mark, I'll have the pole down and stowed up 20 - 30 seconds to the mark. Pratice flying the chute without a pole - it's pretty darn easy, and no slower. Probably a bit faster in reality because you can get your bowman off the deck that much quicker and weight to the rail.

As you round, the bowman blows the halyard and skirts the genoa. the pit man is stuffing the spin, and the last person is on the deck next to the window feeding it to him.

[Guest]

Thank you Jeff and Tom for the info.
We weren't taking the pole down before the manuver.
Sam