An adjustable spinnaker pole car allows the inboard end of the pole to be moved under load. The most common spinnaker pole car adjuster system features an endless adjuster line and 2:1 controls. |
Spinnaker shape can be matched to sailing
conditions by adjusting pole height. Raising the outboard end of the pole
causes the sail to have a fuller, more powerful shape. Most useful on a broad
reach. Lowering the outboard end of the pole causes the sail to have a flatter,
less powerful shape. Most useful on a tight reach, especially in heavy wind
The inboard end of the spinnaker pole should
move in unison with the outboard end. A ball bearing spinnaker pole car makes
it possible to adjust the car, even on a heavy air reach.
Harken ball bearing spinnaker pole cars move so
freely their control systems require special thought. If the pole gets cocked
with one end substantially higher than the other, the crew could lose control
and the car could slide to the top or bottom of the track at dangerous speeds,
making the foredeck a hard hat zone.
The control system should incorporate a
continuous line: cheek blocks, cam cleats and the correct purchase. A boat
like a J/35 uses a 781 Midrange ball bearing spinnaker pole car. A 2:1
purchase system would be ideal. There are two 2650 blocks 40 mm fixed Carbo blocks on the car,
a 2644 Carbo cheek block and a 073 eyestrap at the top of the track. Don't
forget to use 1522 heavy-duty end stops.
In use, the crew utilizes the braking ability
of the ratchet block to control the raising and lowering of the spinnaker pole
car.
Harken has ball bearing spinnaker pole cars and
control systems for all sizes of boats.
Harken spinnaker pole cars are based on
recirculating ball bearing travelers to permit adjustment under any load. They
roll freely on low profile traveler track to allow the crew to adjust the
inboard pole end for optimal sail shape on all points of sail.
Small Boat and Midrange cars feature rings
for end-for-end jibing. Midrange and Big Boat cars accept two popular toggle
studs or the Harken bell end fittings. Custom cars are also available.
The 780 Small Boat spinnaker pole car
fits masthead boats to 32 ft (9.7 m) and fractionally rigged boats up to one
tonners.
Greg Hartlmeier—Senior Engineer Special Projects
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