I am looking for recommendations on a good uni spin setup. I currently have the two line system from the Alter Cup. I raced with a Nacra 17 last week that I think had a single line system on it and it seemed to work better than mine. I am willing to remove the jib track for the setup. Thanks in advance.

It isn't necessary to remove the jib track. I'll try to get some pictures of my system, which was the factory set-up before Alter Cup.

This is Wouter's diagram. It is different from mine in that my halyard leads to the back of the tramp. This set-up is cleaner.

Chris, you will need to run your halyard down the mast to the forward beam, do not use the on-mast block-clete, but through a block on the forward beam and out front to the tack line (see diagram above).

Tie a single block onto the tail of your tack line, (unless you want to go with a 2-1 double block setup) adjust the length so that when the halyard is tight (spinn-up) the tack line is also tight (tack at pole tip) and then the halyard comes back from that block at the tail of the tack line to the forward beam, to a cleat mounted there on the beam.

Personally, I do not like the system as it adds drag to the halyard when you are raising it, you have to pull harder, and you have to pull straight back from the beam. I use the two line system even when Uni, as I can first pull the tack line out with one or two quick pulls, then I can pull downwards from the mast block-cleat with little drag, the spin comes up quickly.

I also don't like it during a take down because I like to dump the halyard and snuff quickly, then at the end, release the tack line. If you are using the single line setup, you will be releasing the tack line at the same time you release the halyard, and the foot of the spin can blow out to the side of the boat and even get under the hull if you are not quick with the snuffing line.

Some guys love the single line setup, so try it and see, but you will need to add a cleat to your forward beam to do it. If you want to try it first, without drilling your beam, you can use the jib sheet cleat (go jib-less for the trial) for the halyard instead. All you will need is a single harken for the tail of the tack line to try it. Don't cut any lines until you are sure you want to do it!

Pete/Tim. I will give that system a try. What I probably really need is more practice. I think I will be able to make the F16/A invitational. I got Friday off so I will drive Thursday night and get there Friday morning. Thanks for the help.

Great! Looking forward to it!

Chris, the best improvement I have made to my spinnaker hoisting and snuffing is I changed out my halyard to a tapered one, 3mm dyneema for the first 25 feet or so, then 50 feet of that soft mafioli type stuff (4mm?) so it never kinks up at the grometts or blocks any more.

I had mine made by Mike Krantz at Layline (cost about $120, the tapered splice was $29) but Andi uses straight 3mm dyneema for his entire halyard, no soft stuff at all, but you will want to be wearing gloves to hoist it when it's blowing. You can insert a small peice of the 3mm for about a foot where you will be cleating it, to give it some fullness there.

Chris,

I watched you guys for a couple races last weekend. I did notice that you were a little slow getting your spinnaker up after rounding that mark you guys were using for A mark. I think the single line spinnaker system is better because it involves one less step. It appears Tim has gotten used to his system and likes it fine. I don't know if he has tried the single line setup. BTW, that was the first time I have seen the Blade and it really reacted well to the wind gusts I thought. It appeared to accelerate very fast with those oscillating winds you guys were dealing with. Also, the guy you were racing has pretty much perfected his spin set and drop from having had the boat for sometime now.

I had a spinlock mounted to the forward beam that controlled my single line system on the F17. We (F17 sailors) also have a bullet block mounted on a line attached to the rear beam to keep the halyard tight to avoid tangles etc. Unlike that diagram Tiki posted, F17 guys normally have the halyard simply going from front to rear parallel to the hulls about 3" - 4" to the right side of the mast which allows for a very smooth halyard movement.

Tom

Tom, I did have the system on my Nacra 5.5 with spinn several years ago. The lines were constantly twisting and causing choke-up between the line and blocks to the tack line. But with the new Dyneema type lines, maybe that's not an issue anymore. Which ever system you use, the key is to practice until you get it down to a few quick pulls and be gone.

One thing though, on my take-downs, I leave it up until I am well inside the leeward gate and I can snuff it nearly all the way in with only the tack out, while turning upwind, and even finish the snuff by releasig the tack while going upwind. You cannot do that with the single line system as the tack will be free and blowing you backwards. What ever, just pick one and get used to it so you can do it quickly.

A spin lock came with my boat. I love it. I think Timbo removed his.

Tim,

The F17 was my first spin boat so that is the only system I am used to. I/We did have problems with lines tangling, etc. when we first got the boats in 2001 but were able to fix that with bullet blocks and bungee cords to keep the halyard tight and in a straight line parallel to the hulls.

Tom

Chris,

We are having another race in Pcola on the 23rd and my F17 will be there. Bring a camera and take a few pics of my setup. It is very clean, simple, and I think you will like it.

Bob <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
F17 #23

I THINK single line is better for single handing as it's just one bit of string to pull the kite up, and one down again. It might be slightly slower than a 2 line system, but it is simpler, and us single handers with kites have enough to do without adding more complexity!

chris,
My blade has the single line set up and I just changed it a little so the halyard doesn't go to the rear beam. I will be down there in early march for the performance midwinters and you can see my set up live then. It is similar to the diagram except it runs on the starboard side of the tramp. I only used it for the first time when I was down there in January and it seems to work well. It is better than the halyard/snuffer line going to the back of the tramp because it is easier to look forward when you are snuffing it.
Are you going to do this race?
Bob, what race is the 23rd?

Chris,
if you are going to be driving through navaree/gulfbreeze anytime soon I can tell you where my boat is and you can see the way it is set up. Send me a pm, or email me.

Races on the:
23rd: Fleet race
1st: Ice Pick
8-9: Perf MidWinters

** All in Pcola.

Hope to see everyone at one or all of these races!

Bob <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I'll be there on the 8-9. Murray is going to be driving my boat with me crewing. If things don't work out the first day we might switch (diffusion or responsibility and all that <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ).

Thomm,

If you do make pictures of Bob setup, can you then past them here on the forum so we all can learn ?

Thanks,

Wouter

Wouter,

I think he was talking to Chris, but I can bring my camera if I make it over in time and take some shots. Then I will post them. It's not the greatest camera though so we'll just have to see how well they turn out.

Tom

Will be fine I'm sure. We don't need a high res camera to spot the tricks !

Many thanks is advance !

Wouter