Hi guys/gals,

I just installed a mid pole snuffer about midway up my pole. Since I was using a tramp bag before, I am sure that there are a few tricks and short cuts that you can clew me into. Thanks for your replies.

But are you using the tail of the halyard for the retrieval line? The key is to use the same line you pull it up with to pull it down, via some patches on the spin, so it snuffs nicely into the sock, not all in a big wad, and getting the line length right so you don't have too much extra flopping around on the tramp when it's snuffed.

A lot of guys are using a tapered halyard with dyneema from the hoist block to the head when snuffed, for less windage, and something softer spliced in for the part you haul on and clete, something that won't bind up or kink if you run it through any small gromets on the tramp.

Oh, and never try to snuff it going dead down wind, it will fall over the top of the midpole hoop and your sheets might get caught under there, making it impossible to fully snuff. It works much better if you snuff on more of a reach.

Thanx Timbo,

As far as dousing order goes, do you release the head and clew first and leave the tack for last?

Thanks,

Take up the slack on the retrieval line
Release the halyard
Go like stink on the retrieval line letting off the tack just before it goes tight
Once tack line is released and best part of spinny is in the chute, helmsman can be on the wire and turning to windward.

Thanks, that was what I was looking for. With the snuffer, does the helmsman hold the spi sheet just to keep the clew out of the water?

Not ususally, no need as if there is any wind at all the clew will be out of the water because the tack is still tight and the middle of the spinn is coming into the hoop. The clew and sheets might drag into the water a little bit depending on how much wind and how heavy your sheets are but if you are fast on the retrieval line, and do it on a reach, the foot of the spin should be in the sock well before the clew has a chance to get too wet, if wet at all.

Waiting on the tack line helps keep the foot from shrimping if the halyard hangs up for some reason.

Thanks, I got the picture now.

All the best,

i had many problems (or challenges) when i first switched to a snuffer...

my hoop was to close to my furler so my spin halyard would get tangled in the jib often (usually after i snuffed the chute, forgot to cleat the halyard spinlock down to remove any slack) so i had to move my hoop more forward

i had tremendous challenges when i purchased a new spin. the head board was stiff and did not want to go in the hoop until it was well broke in

i had to run my spin sheets inside my crew trap lines (on the front beam) otherwise i was running over my sheets during a snuff and couldn't get the spin all the way in the bag (as now the sheets were under the bows).

Last big issue was getting the halyard/retrieval line length just right.. to much and you have lots of excess hanging either on deck or in the water (under the tramp).. to little and your deforming your spin when up. and when its just right, it helps prevent shrimping.

one note about snuffing quickly, if you dont use a tapered line (or REAL soft line) you will probably burn holes in your spin if you raise/douse fast..

Tim,

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