Spiinaker and jib together

Have others experimented with launching and recovering the A-Spin while leaving the jib up? Also what about sailing with the jib and spin up and if so, in what conditions? I have seen pictures both ways, particularly with other sport boats, and wondered what others are finding is best, from both a launch and retrieval basis, and from boat speed with the jib up or down while the spinnaker is up.

Craig Berg
Hull #5

Traveler purchase

I've followed Jonathan's lead and added additional purchase to the traveler. I changed the singles on each side to fiddles, adding two parts per side. So far, the load is lighter in a breeze and is still smooth to adjust, making it easier for the driver to adjust on the fly. It does involve more string though.

Furling

I have been out a few times now this sping, made new mistakes every time out and am having a blast learning this new boat. I am having some trouble with the jib furler and wondered what others have done with theirs. In particular, the furling line going aft to the cockpit comes out of the furler at a fairly sharp angle, so at times is quite hard to furl the sail in, particularly with the wind up. I was trying to think of an arrangement to get the line coming out of the furler at the correct angle (ie: going down at an angle towards the keel) then back to the cabin rooftop to go through the fairlead. It only has to come down maybe a foot. Perhaps a block attached by a line to the small bulkhead at the front of the boat will angle this line down. Anyone else with this problem? Any suggestions?

Secondly, when we unfurl, the jib will generally not unfurl all the way. It seems the turnbuckles on the top of the forestay stop the furler from turning easily. The forestay leads into a fairly large turnbuckle at the top, then to the fitting that goes into the mast. It will turn under high pressure, then does not want to turn back as the turnbuckle lays against the mast and is under too much pressure to easily turn. Anyone else address this issue? Maybe I need a new forestay that goes straight to the mast fitting, without the extra turnbuckle at the top?

Thanks for any comments.

Craig Berg
Hull#5

I gave the following answer to the new owner of 2214 about how to tune the rocket rig, and I thought I might as well post it here so everyone can enjoy. Understand, that what follows is what I have found for my Rocket, and the numbers maybe different for yours.



It is fairly straight forward to rigging the boat, but getting the boat up to speed takes some finesse. I would recommend acquainting yourself with some literature out there on carbon masts, if you haven't already. Getting the mast into column using the cap shrouds is probably the first thing. Do this on a windless day! I keep the D2 shrouds loose until you have enough turns on the mast screw to induce about 4 inches of pre-bend. Put a few more cranks on the screw until the lowers are still loose and there is enough turns on the mast screw to give the D2 about 10 on the loos gauge (22 on the Caps). Once you start cranking the screw, when you get to 24 on the caps, the D2 should be about 14, and the lowers about 5-7. Recheck that the mast is in column (measure from the top of the main halyard to the same point at the deck - port and starboard). I hope that helps.

CODE ZERO

My Assos fom Doyle are the 110 and 70. Because of the amount of light air we get in midsummer I am toying with adding a Code Zero to the inventory, which will fly in 35 to 58 apparant. Because of the shorter foot of the Code it would require adding a set of tweakers. I am looking at options for that with Harken's technical department and it will be ineresting to see what they come back with.

I was just wondering if anyone else is using a Code Zero with the boat and what their experience has been, or what the group thinks of the idea?

Rocket on the launch pad

As some of you may know, we keep out Rocket on a modified HydroHoist in a slip. This allows us to "dry sail" the boat while keeping it in the water and avoid using any bottom paint. It is tied to the hoist with four dock lines. It turns some heads as the deck is some 8' above the dock!

In the two years we have been using this hoist, the boat has survived sustained winds of 60 mph and recent storm burst of 70 mph with no problems whatsoever. Every time a bad forecast is issued, the marina manager gets real sweaty and I cross fingers, knock on wood, throw salt over my shoulder, and say my prayers, but so far so good.

The floats can be stood on for any bottom maintenance, and it is quickly lowered with the turn of two valves. The hoist offers a great way to "dry sail" the boat.

Jim Lanter has asked me about my traveler arrangement.

The photo to the right shows the line and block arrangement under the deck. The line goes out of the block at the top, and across the deck and pod to the other side (see below). This allows me to travel-up in light air (from the leeward side) and gives me the mechanical advantage in heavier air.