In a message dated 2/4/03 9:33:27 AM, s.mcclellan@attbi.com writes: << I bought a spinnaker to use on my M15. I have a couple of questions for anyone who may be more experienced than myself with using spinnakers. (I never have!) I need to attach a block to the mast for the spinnaker halyard, above the forestay attachment. Does anyone have an idea how far above the forestay the block should be attached?>> I would check with Jerry Montgomery on this. I would suggest that you would want this as close to the forestay attachment as possible, as this is a fractional rig with no backstays (the shrouds are swept back somewhat in lieu of backstay(s)). I know that Jerry set up several M15's with spinnakers, so defer to him. If you have an asymmetrical spinnaker (see below), you may be able to get by with the existing jib halyard (depending on cut). <<Another question is, what should I use as the attachment point for the tack of the sail? The same piece of hardware that the forestay and jib attach to?>> You need to determine whether your spinnaker is a conventional 'symmetrical' (poled) type, or an asymmetrical (non-poled, AKA 'cruising spinnaker,' 'gennaker,' etc.). This should be easy to determine by looking at the shape of the sail. The former does not have a tack that attaches to the stem fitting, but rather has two cringles that you can think of as alternating between tack or clew depending on which tack you are on. It also is flown entirely *forward* of your forestay. A spinnaker pole (not whisker pole) with one end attached to a mast fitting is employed to windward, and whichever cringle is at the pole end is the active 'tack'. The pole is often (although not always) controlled vertically by a topping lift and/or a downhaul. Horizontal adjustments of pole and sail are controlled by spinnaker guy and sheet respectively (For most boats, these interchange depending on which tack (port/starboard) you are on. Gybing this kind of spinnaker requires releasing the outboard end from the guy (formerly windward side of the sail) and switching it to the other (that is to say, that the old guy becomes the new sheet, and vice versa). Depending on your setup, this is either accomplished by dipping the pole below the forestay, or by doing what is called an end-for-end gybe, where the pole ends trade places (mast end to new 'tack,' outboard end to mast fitting). A poled spinnaker is more of a dynamic sail, as the ability to 'square' the sail to the wind is enhanced by the pole's ability to be drawn to windward. In addition to squaring, The shape of the sail can also be controlled/optimized by adjustments in pole height. An asymmetrical, or cruising 'chute' is rigged in much the same manner as your standard jib, that is to say that it has a dedicated tack and clew, but lacks the hanks of the jib. For all purposes, handling this type of sail is little different from handling a standard jib/genoa. The primary difference is that they are typically are of lightweight nylon rather than dacron material, and have a more radial cut. The method of gybing a cruising chute will depend on whether your halyard is above the jib halyard, or if you are actually using the jib halyard for the chute. The latter is easier, as you do not have to lead the sail forward of the forestay, and is little different from gybing a normal jib. This type of sail offers some of the advantages of a poled spinnaker with a dramatic reduction in complexity. On the other hand, it is not as efficient as a poled spinnaker when on a deep reach or running, as it cannot be squared (make perpendicular) to the wind in the same manner. Often, it will be blanketed by the main in a way that a poled spinnaker will not (this accounts for the addition of long, often retractable sprits poles on many of the new designs employing asymmetricals--it gets the sail way out in front where it can get unspoiled air). <<Finally, when rigging it, should I use a downhaul or some other rigging other than simply the halyard and sheets? (I realize I'll want to use a whisker pole to the clew, right?>> You may want to use a whisker pole on an asymmetrical/cruising chute--especially if you are sailing wing-and-wing. It is not needed with a poled spinnaker. Jerry should speak to how he set up the poled spinnaker versions on the M15's. I would imagine you could rig a simple pole downhaul or topping lift, but it may prove that one or the other is not necessary. <<If any kind soul would take it upon themselves to educate me in this matter I would be most grateful. Steve McClellan~~M15~#152~~Chicago >> Hope this helps. You might want to consult some sailing books for graphical representations of the above. Scott Grometer, M15 #478 'bebe'