Just picking up my new Viper, the new boats come with a separate tack and halyard like the C2. Hooray!

Still figuring out the new (to me) Viper. What's the advantage of separate tack and halyard?

Probably a matter of preference.
-Less line on the hoist as the tack is already pulled out.
-You can do it from the wire.
-Easier hoist as the spin is partially pulled from the bag already.
-I'm completely retarded and can not figure out how to rig the block running up the mast when the mast is laying on the boat instead of up.

Down sides
-You have to release the tack on douses

I'm sure there's other negatives, but that's all I can really think of.

There is just as much line to haul, but you have to do it in a two stage process. A two line system takes longer to hoist because you have to pull one line, and make sure it cleats well, then switch to the other line.

I would expect that the prime, maybe only, advantage of a two line system is that you can ease the tack without easing the halyard.

Not true. The hoist is the hoist, the tack is already out when you have a separate tackline. For single handing its the only way to go as you are spending less time either not steering, or pushing the tiller extension around with your legs when you are getting the kite up. Yes you pull the same amount of line, but you can get the tack out while you or the crew is still on the wire, which means more time at full speed.

Im yet to be convinced on the 2 line system. I cant deal with the fact that guys go across the clearing reach with the tack pulled out flapping like a seagull that got the last chip. Not fast i reckon. Having said that when im crewing i dont mind 2 lines at at all.

My crew refused to use anything but the 1 line system. For a relatively small kite on the f16 i think 1 line with the halyard exactly the right length makes sense. The set is just as quick if not quicker i think. The one line set up on the viper has little that could faulted.

the thinking with the two line system is two-fold:

- get the tack of the sail out early to ease the hoist
- adjust the spin tack (distance) if needed

My personal preference is the single line system for ease of use. For some reason I regularly forget I have to pop the tack line to complete the spin douse, and that might make me have to come inboard to complete which can result in "issues" with boat stability.

Anyone know how to rig that little ring on the spin sheets to suck that last part of the clew in the sock? I saw it on Alex's F18 and it looked cool.

Jay, rig small piece of spectra from the clew with a ring tied onto it. When rigging the retrieval line, go through that ring FIRST, then work your way up the kite as usual. The idea is the clew of the sail now gets pulled deep into the snuffer, taking the sheets with it and limiting the amount of extra sheet loose on the tramp. The length of the spectra that the ring is tied to will need to be adjusted based on how much slack is in your retrieval line when the kite is hoisted.

Bingo. Thanks Jeff!

I used the ring tied to the clue for several seasons on my F18 and it did the job well but as pointed out does have some drawbacks. Then I saw what Robbie Daniel was doing to address this problem. He simply stuck some velcro (loop side) on the tramp near the front crossbeam turning block. It also has it drawbacks but I prefer it over the ring tied to the clue method. I also got rid of the turning block on the back of the boat for the spin sheet. Yeah the deck isn't as clean but I find it to be more functional. Not saying one is better than the other it's just what I prefer.