Spinnaker Systems

A well-designed system makes all the difference when setting, flying and jibing the spinnaker. Trimming involves three adjustments: raising or lowering the pole, moving the outboard end of the pole forward or aft, and pulling in or easing the sheet.

Typical Boat Length:
Small Boat: 22' - 28' (6.7 - 8.5 m)
Midrange: 29' - 34' (8.8 - 10.4 m)
Big Boat: 35' - 42' (10.7 - 12.8 m)

Standard Sheets

Masthead rigs to 8.5 m (28 ft) and fractional rigs to 9.7 m (32 ft) use one pair of lines which lead to turning blocks at the transom. Tweakers bring the guy to the deck near the point of maximum beam to provide additional control over the spinnaker pole. One foreguy line is appropriate for these boats.

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Single	2636	2600	—
B	Single	2637	2601	—
C	Bullseye	339	237	—
D	Single	340	2636	—
E	Single	2146	2149	—
F	Cam Cleat	468	150	—
G	Single	2625	2660	—

Standard Sheets & Guys

Offshore boats over 9 m (30 ft) use separate sheets and guys. The sheets lead to turning blocks at the transom, while the guys lead to blocks at the point of maximum beam and then to a winch. A double-ended foreguy adjusts from either side of the boat.

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Single	—	2600	2660
B	Single	—	2636	2600
C	Bullseye	—	237	237
D	Stand-up	—	3227	3244
E	Cam cleat	—	150	150
F	Single	—	3226	3231

Asymmetrical on Sprit

Boats with asymmetrical spinnakers and retractable (or removable) bowsprits are rigged with a tack line leading through a block on the end of the sprit, and aft to a cleat or stopper. Two sheets attach to the clew of the sail, with the lazy sheet leading aft ahead of the headstay, over the sprit, and outside the shrouds and sheets.

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Single	2148	2660	3231
B	Bullseye	339	237	237
C	Cam Cleat	150	150	280
D	Single	2680	1549 / 1571	3215

Continuous Line - Multihulls

Beachcats install two carbo auto ratchets on each side of the boat to manage high spinnaker sheet loads. Use 57 mm ratchets on catamarans up to 6 m (20 ft). Use 75 mm ratchets on multihulls to 9 m (30 ft).

DiagramRef.	Description	8' - 14' (2.4 - 4.3 m)	15' - 20' (4.6 - 6 m)	21' - 30' (6.4 - 9 m)
A	Single	2625	2625	2680
B	Single	2146	2148	2151

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