I recently purchased a 5.2 with a spin and was wondering if the f18 spins cut down would work? Ive heard they would but havent been able to find any info on the subject. The spin that's on the boat now is very old and from what the owner said quite worthless. Im not looking to spend a huge amount of money on the sail because ive never used one. Im sure i could find one that a very serious racer used for a season for a decent price. Since ive never used one i dont really care if it only gives me 60-70% of its power since its older. I really just want a spin thats not alot of power so i can get used to the motions and rigging the thing.

Also...The boat came with the bag set-up to bag launch. Any opinions on the back vs mid pole, etc would be helpful.

the best retrevial and launch set up I've foung is the "SNU" system from barefoot studios. http://www.gobarefootstudio.com/snu.html
Iy makes the launch and recovery easier and is less stressfull on the spin (less stretch). My wife who is 5 ft 100 lbs uses it on the tiger and loves it. Pluss the owner and designer is a cat sailor. f-18 and a cat so he knows his stuff.

My understanding is that the F18s are now running kites with a luff length of about 340". That may well be smaller than the kite that came with the boat, but you should probably measure the existing one. The foot length of a modern kite will probably be shorter too. So I think an F18 kite would work fine for you.

If/when it comes to getting a new kite you should talk to a good beachcat-orientend sail maker about making a custom kite for your boat. You may find that a custom designed sail does not cost much more than an "off-the-shelf" sail.

I've ordered a SNU snuffer for my boat, should be here on Monday. I've heard nothing but good things about it, but don't have personal experiance yet.

This is the measurement of my Tiger spinnaker. It is in meters.


I have some used spinnakers advertized in the Classified Section. Write me if you are interested. They are going pretty fast.

Later,
Dan

Put a call out for"Frankenboat".
Here: http://www.adventureonline.tv/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=fa048504afcbbd0b33f957971b0ae34c

Check your pm box, I did this about a year ago.

I'm using a euro hobie 16 spinaker on my 5.2: 17.5sq m. A bit old but works like a champ.

Can someone attach some pictures on t how you attach the spin and the L/R system to the forestay. Thanks.

Found a great sail maker of 5.2 spinnakers. I understand the rigging, but kinda confused on how to attach to the cat.

Attached is a pic of my forestay setup on my '79 5.2.

I am not sure what a L/R system is (lower and retrieval?) but i have my spin pole attached to the forestay as follows:
I drilled a hole in the triangular plate that attaches the 2 bridals to the furler. I put a small shackle in that hole, and tied a line around the spin pole and shackle.


http://www.metalfree.com/a/cat/snuff.asp - snuffer system on my boat

I have a mid pole snuffer. It is great. After bag launching for a month... i had to bite the bullet and spend the cash.

I purchased my snuffer ring /bag from Jill A. Nickerson (Robbie's wife) 727-734-0799 www.funinthesunweb.com funinthesun@juno.com

It is the one used on the Capricorns/Tornados. At least 5 or my pals also use this one and like it. The SNU does look nice... and i spoke with the designer... he was great to deal with but in the end i decided to go local and support Robbie and Jill as they have been a great boost to our local and national sport.

My only advice is you place the bowl atleast 2 foot ahead of the furler to avoid the spin halyard from getting fouled in the jib. (i need to move mine forward)
http://www.geocities.com/hobietigerpages/snuffers.htm - write up on the advantages of each system (mid/end pole).

http://www.metalfree.com/a/cat/snuff.asp - my rig

Hey Kris...I see you decided not to get rid of the 5.2! I sent alot of people your way, but am glad you decided to keep the boat. Maybe we can get together one weekend @ the Dike and sort out the spin. I have all the hardware and parts to use the shute so it shouldnt be too hard to figure out.
F17 spin should be the right size for our boats, or whirlwind and other sailmakers are pretty affordable. I just dont want to rum the existing bag launch set up because it clutters the tramp too much. Going from bag to mid/end pole should clean it up but will probably require additional modification?

something like this...

or this...

or that...

I run the snu on my tiger its a really nice system. My wife runs the spin and at 5' and 100lbs i had to make it easy as i could for her. She said no to the origional trumpet snuffer and with the snu she can launch and retrieve all day.

The new Hobie Tiger snuffer system works very well. Redesigned hoop has better angle.
Why is there no bend in the pole on the 5.2, my pole would snap backwards under spin if it wasn't pre-bent. There is a ton of upward pressure on a spin pole under sail.

I THINK bend is not needed.... as it’s the spin bridal lines/wires that actually take most the tension up.

I certainly dont want slop in my bridals... but i am not sure i need to actuall curve my pole.

It is true the pole will flex in opposing directions (from the pull of the spin) but i don’t think it will flex a pole to the point of breaking... at least that is my thoughts... and i was just think about removing the securing lines under my furler (not the spin pole bridals) as the small amount of side to side motion of them shouldn’t really matter

My pole is straight. I will snap some pics tonight and post them up later. Maybe you guys can tell me if i should just start over and buy all new or if i can use some of my existing parts.

Pole prebend is not necessary. The N20 has crazy prebend because we can't get the proper luff tension otherwise. It is good to have a little tension on the spinnaker pole just to keep it from bouncing around - but gobs of prebend is not required. Most relatively newly designed boats have very little prebend.

I just couldn't let her go!! That would be great to meet up and go through the kit setup!! Im going to be getting all new sails from Whirlwind (Main, Jib, Spin; X2 series). Would love to see your setup via emailed pictures if you have some. I am leaving for my offshore job on Friday the 20th and wont be back until August 1st. Im hoping this will give Whirlwind enough time to get all the sails made up and sent to me, would be nice to celebrate xmas early this year when I arrive home.. LOL

I posted up some pics here http://groups.google.com/group/TCDYC/files?hl=en sailing out on Lake Somerville near Austin,Tx.


Everyone I have seen with a kit setup they all have a rolling furl for there jib. Is this a must or as I suspect to protect your jib during high winds and on the beach from beating around?

Does anyone just sell a kit (i.e. Snuffer Pole, Bag, Ring, and Mast tag with hardware to mounting to boat and forestay attachment)? I have already spoke with a gentlemen from Harken about all the blocks and rigging items, just need the system.

I took a look at the funinthesunweb.com but didn't really see where the parts were located on the site. I have seen on Murray's and Hobie's catalogs they have some universal kits, but is this any good? I do thank you for everyones input.

Keep them flying!!