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I have a bit of a hang-up about spinnakers, having seen some years ago what they do when they're allowed to take control. But I also had to bear in mind the wishes of Arabella's racing crew, who had become pretty frustrated on the RTIR last year - when conditions demanded a spinnaker and I was only able to offer a cruising chute. On the basis that a spinnaker might get used, at most, a couple of times per year, I had now splashed out on a full radial racing jobbie, made to order in 0.75 0z. premium nylon.
Before we could go off and play with our new toy, of course, I had to have one my now-customary encounters with what passes for 'customer care' among the businesses on site at Arabella's marina. The now-defunct boatyard company had supplied the spinnaker pole without a bridle. A brief visit to the riggers elicited much sucking of teeth when we asked if they could rig up a wire bridle for us in the next couple of hours. Maybe next week, they said, or else there was another rigging company just outside the marina gates. Anyway, they said, a tiny little pole like that didn't need a bridle, we should just lead the uphaul and downhaul lines to one end of it. I wondered about asking how they thought we could gybe the pole end-to-end with a set-up like that, but in the end decided that I probably wouldn't get a sensible reply. I did make a mental note to look into the riggers just off-site, though...
In the end we rigged the bridle ourselves, using the least stretchy lines we could find, and some metal rings bought from the chandlery at about 4 times the price they probably should have cost, and - some hours later than planned - off we set.
It was one of those days when the weather can't seem to settle, with periods of hot sunshine punctuating longer spells of heavy cloud and light rain. On the way out we passed a singlehander making his way back in. He grimaced as we came abreast. "Gusty," was all he said. He wasn't wrong. Some of the clouds were low and dark, creating wind conditions that were not only gusty, but fluky as well, as if the wind couldn't decide which side of north it wanted to come in on.
We only managed a short run with spinnaker up, due to the changeable conditions, but it was long enough for me to grasp the basics and it did wonders for my confidence with this sail, which I find a bit fearsome. I still wouldn't say I was a fan, exactly, but I did get that bit more comfortable. Perhaps more importantly, Arabella put in a serious turn of speed, even with a breeze of only F2, at that particular moment, filling the spinnaker.
Below: As with the practice run for the race last year, so it was again this year - the log impeller has become fouled barely four weeks after going back into the water, hence the row of big fat zeros on the instrument head. At least the Mac Chartplotter was working.
We enjoyed a fantastic beat back up Southampton Water. On the helm, I kept Arabella sailing on her ear, keeping her port bow dipped well under, in the hope that the turbulence might free up the log impeller, which appeared to be fouled again. All in vain, unfortunately.
Below: Where we went today. Screenshots taken from PassagePlus software (click each image for larger view).
Conditions: N, NW and NE F2-5. Mixed sunshine, cloud and rain, some thunder. Sea state slight.
Distance covered (GPS over ground): 13.7 NM
Total distance covered to date (2008): 18.86 NM
Engine hours: 0.6 (total for 2008: 3.2)
Before we could go off and play with our new toy, of course, I had to have one my now-customary encounters with what passes for 'customer care' among the businesses on site at Arabella's marina. The now-defunct boatyard company had supplied the spinnaker pole without a bridle. A brief visit to the riggers elicited much sucking of teeth when we asked if they could rig up a wire bridle for us in the next couple of hours. Maybe next week, they said, or else there was another rigging company just outside the marina gates. Anyway, they said, a tiny little pole like that didn't need a bridle, we should just lead the uphaul and downhaul lines to one end of it. I wondered about asking how they thought we could gybe the pole end-to-end with a set-up like that, but in the end decided that I probably wouldn't get a sensible reply. I did make a mental note to look into the riggers just off-site, though...
In the end we rigged the bridle ourselves, using the least stretchy lines we could find, and some metal rings bought from the chandlery at about 4 times the price they probably should have cost, and - some hours later than planned - off we set.
It was one of those days when the weather can't seem to settle, with periods of hot sunshine punctuating longer spells of heavy cloud and light rain. On the way out we passed a singlehander making his way back in. He grimaced as we came abreast. "Gusty," was all he said. He wasn't wrong. Some of the clouds were low and dark, creating wind conditions that were not only gusty, but fluky as well, as if the wind couldn't decide which side of north it wanted to come in on.
In the circumstances, we picked our moment to fly the spinnaker with some care. A reasonably sizeable patch of blue sky opened up overhead, and we took our chance as the breeze fell off and settled more or less northerly.
It was fortunate that, in the process of working out dockside how to rig the spinnaker and pole, we had already set up the sheet, guy and a Heath Robinson-esque adjustable downhaul for the pole, so we were all set to go when the opportunity presented itself. Sanders Sails had provided a launch bag, which also helped the process of setting the sail up for launching somewhat. The best place for it appeared to be on the leeward deck, amidships, clipped to the guardrail.
It was fortunate that, in the process of working out dockside how to rig the spinnaker and pole, we had already set up the sheet, guy and a Heath Robinson-esque adjustable downhaul for the pole, so we were all set to go when the opportunity presented itself. Sanders Sails had provided a launch bag, which also helped the process of setting the sail up for launching somewhat. The best place for it appeared to be on the leeward deck, amidships, clipped to the guardrail.
Following the skipper-elect's instructions, I managed to hoist the sail without undue drama, while he trimmed from the cockpit.
We only managed a short run with spinnaker up, due to the changeable conditions, but it was long enough for me to grasp the basics and it did wonders for my confidence with this sail, which I find a bit fearsome. I still wouldn't say I was a fan, exactly, but I did get that bit more comfortable. Perhaps more importantly, Arabella put in a serious turn of speed, even with a breeze of only F2, at that particular moment, filling the spinnaker.
Above and below: Ready to launch from amidships.
All too soon, even before we had the chance to practice gybing the pole at sea rather than dockside, it was time to drop the spinnaker as the next wave of clouds rolled in and the wind began to build once more. Again, following the slipper-elect's instructions, I stood in the companionway, released the spinnaker halyard to run freely and, as quickly as possible, gathered in the billowing nylon on the sheet, under the mainsail, pushing it down into Arabella's cabin where it could be repacked. Then it was up on to the foredeck to unrig and stow the pole, as the genoa was unfurled and we turned and headed back for home.
Below: As with the practice run for the race last year, so it was again this year - the log impeller has become fouled barely four weeks after going back into the water, hence the row of big fat zeros on the instrument head. At least the Mac Chartplotter was working.
We enjoyed a fantastic beat back up Southampton Water. On the helm, I kept Arabella sailing on her ear, keeping her port bow dipped well under, in the hope that the turbulence might free up the log impeller, which appeared to be fouled again. All in vain, unfortunately.
With a rising wind and a fair tide to help us on our way, we fairly flew back to Dock Head, before short-tacking upriver to the marina and a well-earned pint.
Below: Where we went today. Screenshots taken from PassagePlus software (click each image for larger view).
Conditions: N, NW and NE F2-5. Mixed sunshine, cloud and rain, some thunder. Sea state slight.
Distance covered (GPS over ground): 13.7 NM
Total distance covered to date (2008): 18.86 NM
Engine hours: 0.6 (total for 2008: 3.2)
