That preventor line(s) are standard on the AHPC snuffer hoops and they do indeed work.

There is also a trick to fasten the line that goes to the pole. Drill a small hole in the pole going from side to side. Run the line through it and tie it off on teh other side with again a figure 8 knot. Best is to drill the hole a little forward on the pole so the line angles back towards the loop.

This way it looks very tidy as well.

Also drilling any holes on the side of the spi pole do not weaken the pole in any way. At these points there are no bending stresses, this contrary to the top and bottom surfaces. But as always the smaller hole are better then large ones.

The take the sharp edge of the hole. Pick a much larger drill after making the holes and just quickly tip the holes with it. You can even do this by hand. The result is a flattened rim that is much less sharp and won't wear through the line.

You can use a similar trick to secure your light green spi tack halyard line to. Mine holes for the spi halyard are just to the rear of the ring and Again this looks very tidy. Really simple fixes and they do make the boat look better.

Also you may try to not have 1:2 purchase on the spi tack line and just have a single green line attached to the floating block. This way you mimic the two-line spinnaker halyard systems while keeping the advantages of a single line setup. Basically when hoisting the spi it will first go forward and then up. The reverse when doucing the spi. This should also help in not having the spi hook the bridles or other parts behind the ring. I've been planning to try to modification myself but haven't gotten round to it. I will give it a try before the World Cup however. I expect some improvement from it. And it will look simpler and more tidy again.

Slowly we are getting there.

Wouter