Helia 44: Rig and Sails

[onthehook17]

I have recently purchased a gennaker for our Helia 44 and would like your opinion on rigging.
First, I would like to add a starboard side gennaker sheet winch similar to the port winch that is included in the bowsprit rigging package. The helm winches create a significant safety and convenience problem.
Second, I would like to add a gennaker sheet rope clutch aft of the current gennaker sheet block on top of both port and starboard gunnels. This way the sheet can be taken off the winch and no longer presents the trip hazard across the walkway in the current configuration. This will involve adding a second padeye/block further aft or securing a block to the aft stanchion.
Many of you have more experience with gennakers, large sailboats and rigging than I. I would really appreciate your thoughts.
Onthehook17

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by onthehook17

I have recently purchased a gennaker for our Helia 44 and would like your opinion on rigging.
First, I would like to add a starboard side gennaker sheet winch similar to the port winch that is included in the bowsprit rigging package. The helm winches create a significant safety and convenience problem.
Second, I would like to add a gennaker sheet rope clutch aft of the current gennaker sheet block on top of both port and starboard gunnels. This way the sheet can be taken off the winch and no longer presents the trip hazard across the walkway in the current configuration. This will involve adding a second padeye/block further aft or securing a block to the aft stanchion.
Many of you have more experience with gennakers, large sailboats and rigging than I. I would really appreciate your thoughts.
Onthehook17

FWIW, my gennaker sheets run through the aft block and are routed to the lee winch. This has never been a 'trip' problem as the windward side is always open if/when there is a need to go forward. Plus, this is one of the smoothest points of sail so actually stepping over the sheet isn't a problem anyway.

I've never found a time when I needed to clear the winch (I have 2 on each side), hence I don't see the value in adding a clutch. But, I'm a keep-it-simple type of person.

I would not trust a stanchion to hold a sheet block. There is a lot of pressure on the sheet of that big sail when running in a 20kt wind.

You might try sailing it a few times before adding the extra equipment.

[Cotemar]

For your Square Head Main sail

Why not rig it like a “Doyle Anomaly Headboard”

The Best Way to Raise and Lower a Square Top Mainsail

Using the Doyle Anomaly Headboard square top mainsails can now be hoisted without the need to manually attach the headboard to the carriage or re-install the gaff batten each time the sail is hoisted.
Hoisting the halyard pulls the headboard onto the carriage where a toggle locks the headboard into the carriage.
When the sail is lowered the headboard slides off the carriage with slack in the halyard allowing the sail to be flaked on the boom.

Anomaly Headboard | Doyle Sailmakers

Doyle Anomaly Headboard - YouTube

[Cotemar]

Here is another halyard attachment method that Incidence Sails uses to attach the Square Top Main Sail.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFrdiW1WkLw

[dochueb]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

For your Square Head Main sail

Why not rig it like a “Doyle Anomaly Headboard”

The Best Way to Raise and Lower a Square Top Mainsail

Using the Doyle Anomaly Headboard square top mainsails can now be hoisted without the need to manually attach the headboard to the carriage or re-install the gaff batten each time the sail is hoisted.
Hoisting the halyard pulls the headboard onto the carriage where a toggle locks the headboard into the carriage.
When the sail is lowered the headboard slides off the carriage with slack in the halyard allowing the sail to be flaked on the boom.

Anomaly Headboard | Doyle Sailmakers

Anyone know what size would be needed for the Helia's main?


DH

[Cotemar]

dochueb,

Since you have a Incidence square top Mail Sail, I would try this method first before going to the "Doyle Anomaly Headboard". This post below is from a cruiser that really loves this setup.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1305935

[dochueb]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

dochueb,

Since you have a Incidence square top Mail Sail, I would try this method first before going to the "Doyle Anomaly Headboard". This post below is from a cruiser that really loves this setup.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1305935

I like it.

Thoughts on what size line would be needed for such a setup? Same as halyard or lighter?

DH

[SaltyPaws]

I would also like to order a Gennaker for my Helia 44 "SaltyPaws". I have ordered the factory bowsprit package. As the yacht will be delivered next year, I will not be able to take measures. FP has not been forthcoming with the sailplan, and I would like to order the sail with a 3rd party sailmaker this winter.
I would really appreciate if someone could post the helia 44 sailplain, and the exact measures/design of their gennaker (for use with the factory bowsprit). Thank you.

[Cotemar]

SaltyPaws,

See if FP or your purchasing broker can get you a copy of the Helia 44 data CD that is included with the boat manuals.

It has tons of great info about everything on your new boat.
Attached is what was on my FP Mahe 36 Data CD to give you an idea.

[Nasa]

Salty Paws. Please find attached a sail plan for the Helia 44. I had a spinnaker made based on this plan. The sailmaker from North still came and measured up though, just to make sure.

[cwjohm]

Tim

Do you have a genniker. If so do you have use the spinnaker much.

[Nasa]

I had a North A5 Assymetrical spinnaker made. I chose this over a gennaker as it gave me a wider range of wind speeds and angles. I cannot furl it but use a sock to raise and lower. We use it all the time and often in a day its the only sail I put up. In 15k we can cruise at 7knots with this. I can carry it to 70 - 160deg. Also I chose a heavy weight Contender cloth (SK250) giving me durability and an ability to carry it up to 22k. It does get a little scary at that wind speed (SOG 10-12k). Its not for everyone and furling would be easier, but more expensive to set up and I have heard of instances of furling lines fouling and all hell breaking loose. It took a few weeks to get the spinnaker handling down pat, but it now works for us. We don't fly it at night and get it down if the weather looks at all dogey. Sail size 110sqm
We paid $4500AUD for this sail build in Aust to our specs. We were quoted $10000 by the dealer for a gennaker, sail only.

Hope this helps.

[cwjohm]

Yes, that is useful info. I was toying with the idea of getting a spinnaker and wondering how much it would cost. The genniker is great and at high angles we gullwing the genoa and genniker, but it is a bit inflexible.

Something to think about!

[Gordon]

Hi Guys, we opted for the ParaSailor as very easy to manage with two sailing. Its 150 sq. mtrs and we had an additional winch fitted on Stbd. side, this makes trimming very easy from the aft area as we also normally sail with just the ParaSailor up and as wind builds and time to drop the sail, just run the engines to reduce the apparent.
The ParaSailor will fly in the very light and variable wind without constant attention and from 90 around to 180 so quite versatile. We used this sail quite often over the last seven months and 4000nm and very pleased with our choice.
Gordon.

[Cotemar]

Gordon,
Can you post a few pictures of the ParaSailor flying?