I have been flying my new chute and find it really opens up off wind sailing.
Yesterday I was flying it and the tack line parted after chafing on the shaeffer furling drum. I got to practice the "blowing the tack" procedure unexpectedly. The chute was easily stowed with the snuffer.
The chute came with a 5 foot line attached to the tack. I had been attaching this line to a loop of 5/8 line I place around the bow roller. The 5/8 was tied off to a bow cleat to keep the loop aft on the roller and thus keeping the moment arm and stress on the roller to a minimum. (I have heard reports that the Mark II roller has been bent by using a tack point out on the bow roller bail).
Anyway, this has all been temporary until I figure out how to install a block and lead the tack line aft to the cockpit. (I like to club race and prefer to have the ability to adjust the tack).
1. Has anyone out there successfully used the bail on the bow roller on a Mark II for the attachment point for a block? If not, what do you use?
2.Also, how and where do you lead the tack line aft to the cockpit?
FYI, I have found that I do not need a crane with the setup on the spinnaker halyard mast block. The mast block is far enough forward that it does not chafe on the headstay on either tack. For turning blocks I use Garhauer series 60 with snap shackles to cars on the outboard track. The blocks have beckets and I bungee them loosely to the lifelines to keep them from flopping around. I use Sta Set X Lite Spectra Singel Braid 3/8 for the sheets and prefer outside jibes. The line is very light and floats. The chute is 3/4 oz and used in light to med air.
Thanks for the help.
John
Windcatcher MKII 674
Yesterday I was flying it and the tack line parted after chafing on the shaeffer furling drum. I got to practice the "blowing the tack" procedure unexpectedly. The chute was easily stowed with the snuffer.
The chute came with a 5 foot line attached to the tack. I had been attaching this line to a loop of 5/8 line I place around the bow roller. The 5/8 was tied off to a bow cleat to keep the loop aft on the roller and thus keeping the moment arm and stress on the roller to a minimum. (I have heard reports that the Mark II roller has been bent by using a tack point out on the bow roller bail).
Anyway, this has all been temporary until I figure out how to install a block and lead the tack line aft to the cockpit. (I like to club race and prefer to have the ability to adjust the tack).
1. Has anyone out there successfully used the bail on the bow roller on a Mark II for the attachment point for a block? If not, what do you use?
2.Also, how and where do you lead the tack line aft to the cockpit?
FYI, I have found that I do not need a crane with the setup on the spinnaker halyard mast block. The mast block is far enough forward that it does not chafe on the headstay on either tack. For turning blocks I use Garhauer series 60 with snap shackles to cars on the outboard track. The blocks have beckets and I bungee them loosely to the lifelines to keep them from flopping around. I use Sta Set X Lite Spectra Singel Braid 3/8 for the sheets and prefer outside jibes. The line is very light and floats. The chute is 3/4 oz and used in light to med air.
Thanks for the help.
John
Windcatcher MKII 674
