Fitting Out a Pandora for Racing: Part 2
Spinnaker Boom
Plate 6 - Above click to enlarge
When racing on the wind, the spinnaker boom can be a dammed nuisance, even though you have hoisted it hard against the mast via the Uphaul.
The boom tends to flop about, clanging against the mast and doing its best to snag the Jib or the Jib sheets. We have solved this problem quite simply and cheaply as can be seen from plate 6.
I have left out from the picture, the boom (represented by various halyards) so that you can clearly see the clip we have attached to the mast which grips the boom and the little shock-cord that goes round the boom and then hooks back on to the mast.
This combination holds the boom rock-solid against the mast and the problem is solved, it is also very quick to release when required.
Cockpit
Plate 7 - Above click to enlarge
You may remember that we wanted to maximise the cockpit space to allow for more efficient sail/boat handling.
First of all we replaced the mainsheet block housing, which was in the middle of the cockpit floor (darkish rectangular area), with a mainsheet track and traveller at the end of the cockpit close to the cabin entrance.
The result was a vast increase in useable cockpit space, but we did not stop there, the Tiller in our opinion is too long! So we cut it down by about a foot and fitted a Tiller-Extension. The Extension is vital when sitting out on the weather-rail, to windward.
This was a great space-saver when tacking too!
Mainsheet Traveller
Plate 8 - Above click to enlarge
As mentioned previously, the Mainsheet Block is now attached to the deck via the Traveller, which is positioned out of the way near the cabin entrance.
The fitting is made by Harken (highly recommended) and can be positioned anywhere on the track, giving superb control on the all-important "slot" between the Main and Jib.
Plate 9 - Above click to enlarge
If you think your fixed position for the main is perfectly adequate, have a look at your boom position next time you are beating to windward in a bit of a blow, I bet it isn't where it should be, on the centre-line!
By the way, we put the Mainsheet block (Harken) is on a short wire-strop so that the block can be jammed-off/released at a more convenient height/position.
Spinnaker Handling
Plate 10 - Above click to enlarge
We mentioned in a previous article 'Random Racing Thoughts' under this very same-heading that we launch and retrieve our Spinnaker from the cabin under the Main-Boom. This is because we don't like going on the foredeck (Slows the boat) and we certainly don't like packing the dam thing!
To keep everything tidy we got our good friends at JKA to make us an open Spinnaker Bag. This bag is suspended on a couple of old defective shrouds and is in two compartments: one for the large Spinnaker and one for the smaller one.
We therefore always have the option of launching either sail; we just swap-over the halyard and sheets.
The end-result is that most of the launch can be handled from the cockpit.
Conclusion
Well that's about it, we have not changed much the last year or two, as we find that this layout works for us. But if we come across a better way of doing things we will change it without a seconds thought. When you come to think about it, the margin in winning is often very small, 30 seconds in a two-hour race is often a comfortable situation.
It is my hope that some of these ideas may just save you at least those 30 seconds, I just hope its not against us!
Good Racing
© Mike Colclough & Steve Colclough
| part 1 | part 2 |
