gennaker

[sam]

Just purchased a Gennaker. Neil Pryde. Initial hoist and fly indicated what I consider to be a "too close" halyard exit point above the forstay. Anyone have experience? I have the roller furling main rig.
I've attached a pix of the headstay fitting where the spin halyard exits.

[Gavin White]

Greetings.
I am based in Auckland NZ and have a 43 ex Europe. The halyard position on mine looks pretty similar. I have only flown a gennaker (with sock) on 2 occasions, both without a problem but it does seem pretty close to the forestay. If it was altered to exit from the top of the mast I cant see that its a strength issue??? I could use a bit more height on the hoist of my gennaker so may well alter mine, but would welcome further advice.

I haven't answered your question sorry, but thank you for raising it. Maybe a rigger is needed.

Cheers

Gavin

[sam]

Initial discussions with a chap at US Spars (Z Spars) indicated that some height could be added, but not to the top. Supposedly, with the fractional rig, there may be a strength / load issue if an attachment was made at the masthead, but probably OK if a few inches to a foot above the headstay attachment. I have asked for guidance / suggestions from US Spar. I will post the recommendation.
PS Great to see the 43 owners sharing!

[Mike Brown]

Sam, we don't have a spinnaker halyard (yet) but one other 43 still in the yard does and is rigged the same as yours, as are the 46 and 49s. I'm not sure why Beneteau rigged the eye at the top of forestay rather than higher up. Perhaps you guys are correct about the strength.
Mike

[sam]

Also, when I rigged the Gennaker, I changed out the Lewmar footblocks to ones with jammers. This allows me to take the jib sheets off the winches and store them in a controlled / "jammed" state when the jib is furled, freeing up the winches for the Gennaker sheets. Worthwhile addition.

[Mike Brown]

I forgot the blocks didn't have the jam cleat on them. We had them on our 361 we just traded although I rarely used them. Never flew a gennaker so didn;t need to share the winches. I would wrap a bungy cord around the furled headsail once I was sure we were done sailing. That allowed me to leave the sheets hang loose, depriving the birds of one more place to perch and poo. The barn swallows were relentless and seemed to have a preference for any berries that would leave a nice stain on our deck.

[foster]

Hello,

Would you have the reference of the lewmar footblocks with jammer. I don't find them in the catalogue I have.

Thank's

Denis

[sam]

lew29927264, 72MM Synchro Jamming Blocks. I got them from MauriPro sailing, online at around $60 each. You have to flip the lever mechanism over for port side.

[foster]

Thank you for the information. I will try this soon.

Denis

[foster]

I forgot to ask you if you stacked two blocks with jamers or just one on each side ?

denis

[sam]

Went single. I did not see the need for doubles, just more of an obstruction / thing t stub a toe on or hand up a line.

[sam]

I have now flown the gennaker with good results. I found that leaving a bit of play at the top of the hoist and not raising too high allows the sail to fly appropriately. Sweet!

[Andrea]

We have that issue too! It cut into the halyard and the outer layer came off. I will send this to Franc. He can be more technical than I on this. We are still trying to find a fix.