MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : spinaker poles

are the double poles stowed on the boom that merlin-rockets use simply a doubled up version of the "flyaway" system that mirrors use

www.ukmirrorsailing.com/Technical/FlyAwaySpinny/FlyAwaySpinny.htm

Posted: 17/05/2005 12:40:36
By: Peter Rhodes
No.

The uphaul is permanently attached to the outboard end, which keeps that end up. A line of shock cord is run from an eye or slot at the about 1 metre inboard from the clew end of the boom, up round the front of the mast through an eye about 1 metre or more above the goose neck level and round the other side of the boom to the the same point on the other side of the boom.

This elastic runs through a block or eye on each inboard end of each pole.

Gravity, due to the slope of the shock cord returns the pole inboard to the boom. The elasticity has enough give that it allows the pole to be pushed out and clipped on the D ring.


Posted: 17/05/2005 13:58:36
By: Alan
Not exactly...  You could have it set up to be self launching as the mirror pole on this site is, but I think the few who have tried it found that it doesn't work quite as well with 2.2m poles and a 10sqm kite as it does on a mirror!  Having said that, if you invested in all the proper gubbins as on 505's then it should work, but is expensive.  I know Jim Hopton had it on his boat when his sons were young and not quite able to reach and it worked ok inland when not too windy.

In the merlin the system is such that the crew pushes the pole out with technique, skill and brute force (?). The bringing it back home bit is very similar though.

I believe that there are photos on this website, but maybe some pretty pictures like Steve's on the Mirror site would be tthe way to go. Maybe after my exams....


Posted: 17/05/2005 13:59:35
By: Chris D
p.s. I used to have a single pole system exactly as the mirror on 3424. It was actually an excellent system. Fast and esy to use, except required a 'half dip' knack for the gybes.

It worked really well when you crew is a small weak person (i.e. junior), as it simply involves pulling a bit of string at deck level, none of this standing up and strugling stuff.

I prefer twin poles myself when I'm crewing.


Posted: 18/05/2005 09:44:03
By: Alan Fuller
It is often used for that but mainly singlrhanders trying to beat the handicap that assumes they will be unable to use a kite. thankfully not too many people have to use it for its original purpose


Posted: 18/05/2005 11:00:40
By: Peter Rhodes
Here's a link to a forum thread that explains beautifully how to make a twin pole with autoset work. This system works beautifully on Mike Pickles's Javelin.

http://www.fastsail.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=35&forum=5


Posted: 19/05/2005 08:30:36
By: the view from the back
The only problem is that the link does not let you in!


Posted: 19/05/2005 11:48:01
By: Curious
ah, sorry - guess you have to be a member of the fastsail forum to look at it - sign up is easy though!


Posted: 19/05/2005 11:51:50
By: the view from the back
I am trying to get 3076, a Smoker's, back on the water.  The pole arrangement seems to be based on two fixed wires running the length of the boom, with a slider to take each pole's inboard end.  I take it from the discussion on this thread that this is a seriously old-fashioned solution which I should ditch without regret?  
I'll be at Wormit on 4th June minus boat, but I don't want to have to wait that long for an answer, if there are things I can be getting on with while the next coat of paint dries.


Posted: 19/05/2005 14:36:17
By: bill
The wire system work OK, it relies on a length of shockcord running inside the poles and out of a slot at the base of the inboard end on to a metal ring which is captured on the wire. In essence it works, although you can ditch it for the system I described in the second post in this thread, as I did once when one of the wires broke once upon a time. The system I described above is popular on carbon booms as it doesn't required any wire or riveted eyes etc.


Posted: 19/05/2005 18:03:55
By: Alan
Do you want to use single or twin poles. Feel free to call me. I have used various systems for twin and single syatems on merlins, 505s etc


Posted: 20/05/2005 08:46:59
By: Calum

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