Spinnaker staysail and spinnaker rigging

[Pete G]

Hoping someone has a similar setup.  My boat is an MK1.

My boat came with a couple of blown out sails and a couple of spinnakers.  I finally got around to taking a look at the spinnakers.  One of the spinnakers is tagged as a UK Sails tall boy.  It came with a spin sock.  The spinnaker, also UK Sails, also has a spin sock.  They're both minty fresh.  I don't think they've been furled. 

The staysail, according to UK Sails, uses a fractional halyard, which my boat has, and should be connected to the deck  between the mast and the jib furler.  I have a u-fitting I assume is for this purpose. 


Questions:
- If the pendant for the staysail goes through a block, where is it run?  Or, is there no pendant for the staysail, and I would attach the tack via a shackle?  How much adjustment for this sail?

- For cruising, how much adjustment of the pendant for the spinnaker?  Should I route to the cockpit?

- Are both spin socks used?  I can't find a photo of a boat with two socks at the mast.

- Which sail goes up first, comes down first? 

- How long, and what size sheets?

[Gary Brockman]

Pete,

A tall boy is a tall narrow staysail that is set in the slot between the spinnaker and the mast. It is usually tacked midway between the mast and the headstay, on either a u-bold (shackle) or a block with the line lend back to the cockpit. It is normally set on a jib halyard and sheeted to a snatch block on the leeward rail. On a deep run, it can also be tacked on the windward rail. I have never seen a tall boy used with a sock. Once set, you only trim the sheet and not the halyard. The spinnaker is set first and then the tall boy. The tall boy only needs one sheet and can be led to any available winch, clutch or cleat.

Hope this helps.