Spinnaker block placement?

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Spinnaker block placement?

Posted by Kevin Smith on October 25, 1999 at 14:00:07:

On our PDQ32, we have flown the spinnaker a few times, but I would like to find
out where other owners are positioning the blocks ... maybe it's possible there
is a better way (I think Dan Hoffman said he did it a little differently when I
saw him in Annapolis)

We position one block at the windward bow, and windward sheet leads from the
clew through the block, then through the lifelines about 3/4 aft and then around
the spinnaker winch. The leeward sheet runs from the clew to a block around a
stansion about 3/4 aft, then to the spinnaker winch on the leeward side

We have had some problems with the main blanketing the spinnaker at some points
of sail, but that might not be due to our placement of the spinnaker blocks

I'm curious as the whether this is this what everyone else does?

Follow Ups:

Re: Spinnaker block placement? Dan Hofmann 04:41:18 10/29/99 (3)
Re: Spinnaker block placement? Kevin Smith 07:34:34 10/29/99 (2)
Re: Spinnaker block placement? Dan Hofmann 04:52:54 10/30/99 (1)
Re: Spinnaker block placement? Mark Chamberlain 07:22:19 10/30/99 (0)

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Re: Spinnaker block placement?

Posted by Dan Hofmann on October 29, 1999 at 04:41:18:
In Reply to: Spinnaker block placement? posted by Kevin Smith on October 25,
1999 at 14:00:07:

I use two sets of blocks that have jam cleats on them. I attach one set to each
anchor holder or cleat. Now you can move the spinnnaker from side to side. In
the back I have a block on each stern cleat and lead the sheet outside of
everything and back up to my winch. Being able to move the spinnaker from side
to side lets you keep the main from blanketing it and you can move it to a
positiion where you can bring the wind forward of the beam and fly it like a
hugh genoa.

Follow Ups:

Re: Spinnaker block placement? Kevin Smith 07:34:34 10/29/99 (2)
Re: Spinnaker block placement? Dan Hofmann 04:52:54 10/30/99 (1)
Re: Spinnaker block placement? Mark Chamberlain 07:22:19 10/30/99 (0)

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Re: Spinnaker block placement?

Posted by Kevin Smith on October 29, 1999 at 07:34:34:
In Reply to: Re: Spinnaker block placement? posted by Dan Hofmann on October 29,
1999 at 04:41:18:

Dan:[/i]

So in the example of the wind being at about 120 degrees, you would have the:[/i]

- windward sheet going through the block at the starboard bow cleat, then back
to the block at the stern cleat, then forward to the winch?
- leeward sheet going directly back through the block at the stern cleat, then
forward to the winch?
Am I understanding you on this?
Believe it or not, I'm going sailing today! There is a record high of 80 degrees
forecast for today, with winds out of the south at 10-20 knots. Last year, it
snowed before Halloween!
- Kevin Smith
s/v Phenix, PDQ 32 hull #7
Chicago

Follow Ups:

Re: Spinnaker block placement? Dan Hofmann 04:52:54 10/30/99 (1)
Re: Spinnaker block placement? Mark Chamberlain 07:22:19 10/30/99 (0)

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Re: Spinnaker block placement?

Posted by Dan Hofmann on October 30, 1999 at 04:52:54:
In Reply to: Re: Spinnaker block placement? posted by Kevin Smith on October 29,
1999 at 07:34:34:

No. I have two "sets of blocks" on the bow. They have jam cleats so that you can
adjust them. They have triple purchase. One is attached to each bow. Both are
attached to the spinnaker. Neither line is lead aft. I then can move the
spinakker from side to side as the wind direction changes. I have a sheet line
lead back from the clue to a block attached to the stern cleat and back to my
winch. If I tack I have to snuff it and carry the sheet around to the other
side.

Follow Ups:

Re: Spinnaker block placement? Mark Chamberlain 07:22:19 10/30/99 (0)

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Re: Spinnaker block placement?

Posted by Mark Chamberlain on October 30, 1999 at 07:22:19:
In Reply to: Re: Spinnaker block placement? posted by Dan Hofmann on October 30,
1999 at 04:52:54:

I string a line (spectra Xtra high non stretch) across both bows and cleated to
the front cleats

Then a turning block is put on that line to move back and forth. A short line is
run from it's shackle to the Tack of the spinnaker

Then a line is run from it's shackle also to a block on the windward bow, back
to the winch

Other line runs from Clew to turning block at stern cleat then to winch

This arrangement lets me move the spinnaker side to side from the cockpit by
adjusting the line that runs from the windward side and is attached to the block
that moves side to side.