[Public-List] Spinnaker pole topping lift location

Thu Jun 16 04:57:36 PDT 2011

I broached my cousins Beneteau Oceanis 31 in Denmark the same way in wind 
that was only 6m/sec. The water was flat calm , but when I trimmed in, the 
rudder came out due to excessive heal. I had (and still have) a hard time 
converting the wind speed to knots, but figured it was something like 12 
knots. The Beneteau dealer told me (in Danish) that we must reef in those 
kind of wind speeds...I guess that I am too use to sailing an Alberg 30.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Roger L. Kingsland
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 10:52 AM
To: 'Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all'
Subject: Re: [Public-List] Spinnaker pole topping lift location

Gord,

In eight years of being on the list I might have told this one before so
please forgive the redundancy.  In my 20s I crewed on a C&C 41 on Lake Erie
under the IOR rule (shows my age).  I had some big boat cruising experience
and small boat racing experience but no big boat racing experience so I was
put on the main sheet during my first race.  We rounded a mark in 20+ knots
and set the star-cut spinnaker for a reach.  Things were gonging swimmingly
until I noticed the big bubble in the leading edge of the main and said to
myself, "self, pull in that main, we will go faster and the skipper will
appreciate your independent, analytical initiative."

So I did.

To my surprise, our 10 ton boat made an immediate right turn and went over
on her side; almost like some sea creature had grabbed the keel and pushed
it out of the water.  When I saw a few of the crew hanging vertically form
the uphill lifelines, I concluded I might not win the vote for "Greenhorn of
the Year."

I don't really recall how things got straightened out but, after they did,
the Skipper commenced a'yelling at me.  We lost several places with the
broach and at least two more because of the Skippers singular, intense focus
on demonstrating, to me, his extensive cursing vocabulary.

Of course with my well honed analytical skills mentioned earlier and some
irrefutable cause and effect evidence, I had already concluded it was may
fault so, my consistent response was, "I couldn't be more sorry... I didn't
know THAT would happen, but I sure do now... it will never, ever happen
again... if you prefer, I am a good swimmer and will jump overboard
now..."(the rest of the crew seemed to favor that option but I think there
is something in the rules about finishing with the same number of people).

The navigator finally convinced the skipper that had gotten the point and,
except for me frequently asking if the main was set properly, we finished
the race in the "sublime silence of resentment."  Lesson learned; the hard
way.

Roger 148

Roger Kingsland, Managing Partner

Kingsland Scott Bauer Associates

   KSBA

________________________________

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3441 Butler Street

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412-252-1500 ext.101

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r.kingsland at ksba.com

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-----Original Message-----
From: public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org
[mailto:public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org] On Behalf Of Gordon Laco
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 9:50 AM
To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
Subject: Re: [Public-List] Spinnaker pole topping lift location

Ha!

I used to crew in a yacht that had a big light spinnaker and a heavier
smaller one for heavy air.

We called the big one "The Big Chute";  the smaller one was called "The
Chicken Chute" because we used it when we were afraid to use the larger one.

Our skipper used to say that spinnakers in racing during heavy air are
analogous to nuclear weapons in détente.  Everyone has 'em, nobody wants to
use 'em, but once some idiot does, everybody has to....

Sorry to make light of the horrible nuclear détente most of us grew up
under, but when young and carefree we thought the comparison was funny...

Gord #426 Surprise

On 15/06/11 9:44 AM, "Roger L. Kingsland" <r.kingsland at ksba.com> wrote:

> Glenn,
>
> Your third paragraph exemplifies why it would a shame to ever "leave the
> list."  I am definitely going to look into a sound proof bag for my large
> spinnaker.
>
> Best,
>
> Roger 148
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org
> [mailto:public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org] On Behalf Of
> brooks.glenn at comcast.net
> Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 11:08 PM
> To: Bill Wallace; Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
> Subject: Re: [Public-List] Spinnaker pole topping lift location
>
> Hi Bill,
> My topping lift is installed at the spreaders and works fine to control
the
> whisker pole, which I also use ( more often) to boom out the
> jyb/genoa/drifter. I havent ever needed a down haul on the pole, and don't
> have a spinnaker sock. but the sock seems like a good idea. There isn't
much
> load to speak of on the topping lift, so mounting a block below the
> spreaders works well. This year I am going to install a stout block at the
> forestay fitting at the bow and run a long outhaul each side to boom out
the
> main when off the wind. Humphrey Barton rigged his Vertue XXXV this way on
> his first transatlantic crossing and spoke highly of the ease of
controlling
> the boom when flying a spinnaker short handed. Other early cruisers wrote
> about this method, so will give it a try in a few weeks. Might be a
> worthwhile addition for down wind sailing.
>
>
> I've got a couple of blocks mounted each side of the aft taff rail, and
run
> the spinnaker sheets through and back to the main winches. This seems to
set
> a proper sheet angle.
>
>
> I also sail mostly single handed. Against my better judgement I carry a
> large and small spinnaker on board. H ave never had an idyllic day's
sailing
> when flying the Damn things. Mostly I fly one to big for the wind when it
is
> really sunny and I get lulled by the siren's song and use really terrible
> judgement about what could possibly go wrong on such a nice day.
> (Rationally, I figure I should only fly it in less than 10 knots or so,
but
> always manage to put one of em up in more than that...) Aah but they are
> cursed with the mermaid's song, and call out so sweetly on downwind runs!
so
> if you do put one on board, never, ever gaze into the sail locker when it
> calls, or you will surely be snared into frantic hours of set up time and
> lost, lost I say in wild desperation soon as you haul the windward sheet -
> no matter how softly the apparent wind! I'd get rid of mine in a heart
beat,
> but worry endlessly that I might eventually find a useful reason one day
to
> have em on board... hah
>  a, Fair Winds and great sailing!! :>
>
>
> Glenn B.
> S/V Dolce #318
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bill Wallace" <wayfarer3134 at yahoo.com>
> To: "alberg 30" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 6:19:13 PM
> Subject: [Public-List] Spinnaker pole topping lift location
>
> I have most of the bits now for a spinnaker, but there isn't a topping
lift
> for the spinnaker - there is a spinnaker halyard installed and ready, but
> not the lift. Does one usually install a topping lift from the top of the
> mast or from part-way up, and if part-way up, is the mast strong enough
for
> the load? The down-haul I understand gets mounted just over the anchor
> loncher back wall so that it has something strong to attach to.
>
> The sheets run back to the turning blocks on the rail - I probably need to
> add another set as the original jib blocks are too far forward and I'm
using
> the spinnaker blocks for the jib-sheets. I will have to choose between the
> spinnaker and the jib as I only have the one set of winches, and I don't
> expect I can manage the spinnaker without winches.
>
> The only other thing I think I still need is a spinnaker sock - I will be
> flying it single handed most of the time and dousing it without a sock
seems
> just about impossible.
>
> Thanks,
> Bill.
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