how high up the mast to put spin halyard block, and can you put it on the comp tip area or stay on aluminum? thanks! and by the way, how many of youz is gonna hit the malibu race on saturday? dryc.org to sign up in xs class

Hi Guys,

I've seen H-18s rigged mostly with spinackers to the mast hounds as currently configured. You can fly the chute from a point higher on the mast but I would recommend two things:
1) Find and purchase a used "solid" aluminum mast. As you are not "class racing" with a spinacker this should not present a issue I would think.
2) NEVER EVER "dump" the mainsheet, you can "dump" the traveler but not the Main!!!! Go swimming/capsize instead, it will be much cheaper in the end. If you "dump" the main you run the risk of snapping the mast because the main and mainsheet are acting as a running backstay. And if you are using a comptip mast the higher the spinacker hounds the chances start to increase immencely!!!!

Good Luck
Harry

I am not sure about the comptip thing, but most people say that 1/3 to 1/2 of the way about the hound to the top of the mast.

I think the 1/3 the distance above the hounds is safe on an all aluminum mast. 1/2 will probably work if you're diligent about the aforementioned rule about not dumping the mainsheet.

Dave

I was going to go with the 1/3 on my 5.2 but after finding a great deal on an INter 17 spin i went with closer to halfway. I have used it twice and haven't had any problems, but I keep the mainsheet on tight when the spin is up.

On my SX the spinaker block is mounted to the comptip and my chute is slightly bigger than that of the Tiger. I have never dumped the main while flying the chute as that usually wont save you from the drink anyways. Bearing down is the way to overcome that when flying the chute and a hull. One thing Charlie Ogletree (made my sails) told me was to make sure the downhaul was off when flying the chute as he feared that would lead to mast failure. I have a large square top main and I have been waiting for the comptip to fail but so far it has held up in up to 25 knots of breeze both upwind and down with chute. But I am not waiting any longer. I got a good deal on a used Tiger mast and am working to have that rigged up for next season.