New spinnaker pole and rigging

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Last year we raced with a spinnaker pole that was a bit undersized for the First 260, both in diameter and length. It also had fiddly ends that always gave our mastman issues. It came with the boat, so we figured that we would use it until we sorted out a new one, as well as a correctly sized kite for the boat and our typical conditions. That time has come.



New for 2014 is a 2.5 inch OD Forespar pole with UTR ends. Of note is the bridle, made entirely of dyneema, with no stainless steel at all. Even the usual rigging rings are simple loops of dyneema. Very light, and no metal smashing on the deck when the pole is down.



One functional addition is a great change to the downhaul control. The 2:1 line can often be in the wrong place when the pole is coming down, as the furling jib's sheets are always in the way. In the past, the meant scrambling to re-ring something. Now, the block is a snatch block, and the holding end is a quick release shackle. Now if the rigged ever gets snarled, just popping the shackle will allow the sheets to pass.



And we will store it differently as well. The old location on on the mast to the bow would often snare jib sheet while tacking. Now the pole will live clamped to the starboard V1 shroud turnbuckle, and a ring on a shock cord to the bow.

Pix in use after our first test sail.




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