Halyards and Asymmetrical Spinnaker

[algosdoc]

My 2009 Hunter 38 has labeled on the mast a main halyard, accessory halyard, furlex halyard, and spinnaker halyard. The latter is being used as a topping lift. I am interested in deploying an asymmetrical spinnaker that I have never used (it is rolled up, no sock) but am confused about which halyard to use. Should I use the accessory main or disconnect the topping lift from the boom and use this as the spinnaker halyard? I have a hydraulic boom vang.

[Eder]

Any halyard that puts the sail forward and near the top of the mast is fine...maybe change your labels?
Don't go without a topping lift.

[bensolomon]

Use spin halyard. Use accessory halyard as topping lift. The difference is at the Spinnaker halyard should be just under your jib halyard on the forward part of the mast. The accessory Howard will be on the AFT facing part of the mast.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by bensolomon

Use spin halyard. Use accessory halyard as topping lift. The difference is at the Spinnaker halyard should be just under your jib halyard on the forward part of the mast. The accessory Howard will be on the AFT facing part of the mast.

Other way around, the spin halyard should be above the jib halyard.

[fxykty]

Where do the halyards come out at or near the top of the mast? On the aft side of the mast you should have your main halyard and possibly the accessory halyard (if it is there then it should be used for the mainsail boom topping lift). These halyards are probably side by side. On the front side of the mast you have your furler halyard and probably above that the spinnaker halyard.

Use the halyard coming out of the front side of the mast and above the furler halyard for your spinnaker. Hopefully that matches your deck level labels.

You definitely should not be using a halyard that comes out of the front of the mast as a topping lift for the mainsail boom behind the mast. Hopefully the accessory halyard is side by side with the main halyard and can be used as the topping lift. If that’s not the case and the accessory halyard comes out the front of your mast, then where does it come out? If beside or below the furler halyard then it should not be used for the spinnaker. It could be used as a topping lift for a spinnaker or whisker pole.

If the only halyard out the back of your mast is the main halyard then you have no mainsail boom topping lift. Weird if so. On your size of boat there is likely a second turning sheave mounted beside the main halyard sheave, so you could add a boom topping lift.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

Other way around, the spin halyard should be above the jib halyard.

On mine the spin halyard exits the mast below the jib halyard thence to a block mounted on a crane above and slightly forward and to the right of the jib halyard. A topping lift would exit at the top of mast and to the rear.

[44'cruisingcat]

Spinnaker halyard (if it's internal) should exit the front of the mast, above the forestay.

Topping lift should exit the mast crane rear of mast.

A spinnaker halyard isn't suitable for use as a topping lift.

[puffcard]

Man you need to get that may pole of yours straight. Got a bunch of stuff backwards. Do not use a halyard for a kite that is under a head stay. It will be cut in an hour, by the headstand/furler.

[mlydon]

Simplest way to look at is - a spinnaker of any type flies OUTSIDE of all other rigging, therefore it’s sheets & halyard also need to run outside of all other running rigging.

Spin halyard block needs to run above, and therefore outside, of the jib triangle. Spin sheets run outside of the jib - you can set your spin, then furl your jib.

Matt

[meirriba]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

On mine the spin halyard exits the mast below the jib halyard thence to a block mounted on a crane above and slightly forward and to the right of the jib halyard. A topping lift would exit at the top of mast and to the rear.

Your setup seems strange to me. Spinnakers by nature are the most forward sail so its halyard should be above any other halyard to allow free jibing and.
Also the setup of the OP is strange as spinnaker halyard exits from front of the mast while the topping lift exits from the aft side. Either the line goes around the mast (not a good idea) or the line is mislabeled.
So to the basic question:
For a spi - use forward exiting line, the uppermost.
For topping - any free aft exiting line.

[Valmika]

Originally Posted by algosdoc

My 2009 Hunter 38 has labeled on the mast a main halyard, accessory halyard, furlex halyard, and spinnaker halyard. The latter is being used as a topping lift. I am interested in deploying an asymmetrical spinnaker that I have never used (it is rolled up, no sock) but am confused about which halyard to use. Should I use the accessory main or disconnect the topping lift from the boom and use this as the spinnaker halyard? I have a hydraulic boom vang.

A spin Halyard would be on the forward side of the mast. A boom topping lift would be on the aft side. Are you sure you aren't looking at a spin pole topping lift? That would be on the forard side of the mast ut not all the way to the top.

[dakno]

algosdoc, go to the hunter owners website and speak with owners of you identical boat, very helpful.

[ahoymon]

I have a 2007 Hunter 38 and use an asymmetrical with a sock. On my boat the Spare Halyard(stern facing) is used as a topping lift and the Spinnaker Halyard (forward facing) is used for the Spinnaker. Make sure someone has not mixed up the Jib and Spinnaker See Ahoy Mon under sail with spinnaker.