Conference unifix::sailing

    Hi Ed,
    
    I sail on a J/36, which is also a fractional rig with jumper struts. 
    The chute halyard on our boat is at the fractional point, entering the 
    mast just above the forestay.  This is the only way I've ever noticed a
    chute rigged on a fractional rig boat.
    
    We also have an empty slot at the top of the mast where you can put a
    block for a halyard.  But nobody has ever figured out why it's there or
    what you would want to use it for?
    
    Question, do you HAVE a chute, or are you just thinking about getting
    one?  If the boat's never had a chute then there's a chance the block's
    there for some other reason altogether.  If you do have a chute then it
    should be fairly obvious just by raising it whether it belongs there or
    not.
    
    I'd recommend calling a local sailmaker.  Don't know anything about Sea
    Sprites myself, but I'd be willing to bet they'd be able to answer your
    questions or find specs on your particular sails and rigging.
    
    ... Bob

    I have seen masthead mounted spinnaker halyards but not often. 
    Some of the French ocean racing catamarans are setup that way.
    
    In light air may be advantageous to fly the chute from the masthead
    if you're running.  The backstay will probably hold the mast up.
    But if the wind builds or shifts to a reach, be prepared to douse
    in a hurry.  It all depends on the structure of the top of the mast.
    If it's untapered with substantial jumpers shrouds, it may be possible
    to regularly fly the chute from the top.
    
    I believe the company that builds the Sea Sprites is still in business.
    A call or letter to them might clarify the situation.
    
    - gene ho

    Whoops.  .2 refers to masthead spinnaker halyards on fraction rigged
    boats.  
    
    I have a fractional rig with an "extra" block at the masthead. 
    It's not for flying chutes though.  I have a thin messanger line
    reeved through it.  It occassionaly gets used to fly pennants but
    its real use is to provide a second "emergency" halyard to the
    masthead.  If the main halyard jumps its sheeve or my tempermental
    halyard lock gets stuck in the locked position, I have no way of
    getting to the top to fix things.  The next highest halyard is for
    the spinnaker and that's a good ten feet below.  Let me tell you,
    shimmying that last ten feet with a sail flapping in your face and
    no belay truly stinks.
    
    The idea is to reeve a spare line through the block using the
    messanger.  One end of this gets lead to a winch and the other end
    gets tied to a "volunteer".  It's still no fun but it sure beats
    the old method.

    	If it's worth anything to you, my spinnaker halyard goes into
    the mast just above the forstay. The boat is a 470, that's 15.5
    feet. I don't know how this realtes to a cruiser size boat, but
    it goes in at just above the stay. I've never flown it, but I'll
    try someday.  
    
    		Geoff
    

    Took a special look through the glasses this weekend after reading
    this note last week and the results?   ALL the fractional rig boats
    flew their spinnakers just above the forestay and ALL the masthead
    rigs flew them from the masthead  (sample of about 50 yachts in
    local race).
    
    My own fractional rig flies it from just above the forestay, but
    I get just as much power from an oversize Genny so only fly it to
    keep my hand in.
    
    Brian

    Thank you all for the inputs. We'll try the spinnaker out this weekend
    given less than boisterous conditions. THis past weekend was spent
    on the New England highways distributing kids to grandparents and Scout
    camp. AAARRRGGGHH!

    Ed

    Next year that "extra" block at the masthead will have a messenger
    line run through it!!!
    
    This last weekend's sailing schedule was severely impacted by problems
    with main halyard. Yours truly provided club members on the porch
    with much conversational grist with his attempts (succesful
    finally!!!!) to get to the top of the @#$^%@$%^@$%^$%^ mast to
    retrieve the halyard. While Mr Ho did provide an accurate description
    of what it's like getting to the top of the mast (.3) he did not comment
    on what it's like to be at the top of a floating metronome. The best 
    thing that can be said about spending time at the masthead is that it 
    is definitely a character-building experience! 
    
    Take heed you fractional-riggers out there!!! 
    
    Ed 

    Re: 885.7
    
    Once or twice a season I mentally thank the previous owner of
    my boat for having had permanent mast steps installed. It makes
    the "character building" process of going aloft a little easier
    to stomach.
    
    HOWEVER, the rest of the season I curse the stupidity of leaving
    the steps in because they do nothing but foul my halyards !
    
    I guess you can't win for losing ! (My sympathies to you Ed !)
    
    JC