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 |
No. |
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. |
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 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 |
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. |
The only problem is that the link does not let you in! |
ah, sorry - guess you have to be a member of the fastsail forum to look at it - sign up is easy though! |
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? |
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. |
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 |