Spinnaker Setup

[FraidNot]

Had fun with the MPS - now to setup the symetric...
I've used a symetric on a friends racing 41', however I'm not sure if I need his full setup for my more cruising focus.
A few questions then:

My pole has lift and downhaul attachment points at the very end near the beak - can I use these or is it better to have attachment points made mid-pole for the uphaul/downhaul?

Use of both a brace and guy on windward side? Is this necessary?
ie. Brace to control pole fwd limit; guy to control sail at the clew.

I guess it is safer with a brace as well - prevents pole swinging onto forestay - however is this needed for cruising? Does anyone else use a brace like this?

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by FraidNot

My pole has lift and downhaul attachment points at the very end near the beak - can I use these or is it better to have attachment points made mid-pole for the uphaul/downhaul?

End of pole attachments are fine.

Use of both a brace and guy on windward side? Is this necessary?
ie. Brace to control pole fwd limit; guy to control sail at the clew.

I guess it is safer with a brace as well - prevents pole swinging onto forestay - however is this needed for cruising? Does anyone else use a brace like this?

hmmm . . . not quite sure what you mean here. The normal is to have a guy run from an aft winch out thru the pole jaw and to the 'tack' of the spinnaker. That is used to adjust the angle of the pole.

Normally you don't also have an aft 'brace' on the pole itself.

........

[FraidNot]

thanks

[bewitched]

I'd go for sheets and guys on either side on your boat.

A 41ft boat is probably a bit big for end for end pole gybing (using only sheets). The pole end fitting at the mast may also prohibit end for end gybes.

Dip pole gybing is much safer on your size of boat - for this you need sheets and guys either side.

Braces are what Kiwis and Australians call guys by the way.