Rigging for Spinnaker

[Bill Jenks]

Hi all

I would like to add a spinnaker pole topping lift to my 2000 C34 Mk II.  Is there a specific height that the swivel block should be attached to the forward face of the mast?  Does anybody have an internal spinnaker pole topping lift?  If so, how is the tail run aft to the cockpit?  Thanks

[dave davis]

Bill, adding a spinnaker pole topping lift sounds easy but its not. I have tried three different ways of doing it and I am still not completely satisfied. Originally the yard put an offset swivel block bellow the motoring light with a two-to-one purchase. The end of the line was tied to the same offset swivel. When the lines didn't twist it worked ok. But after fighting the twist in the lines too many time, I had the end of the 2/1 system moved about 5 feet above the motoring light. This was better but it still had a tendency to twist even with non-swivel blocks. So I scrapped that plan and went to a standard single line but put the single line about 10 feet higher on the mast and got rid on the swivel block and that is the way I have it now. The crew still complains that it it hard to lift the pole off the deck without for-deck help. BTW all of these methods are led internal with blocks and leads to the cockpit.