(note I don't have another Olson to look at other than the pics on the
website, actually have never seen another Olson up close).
>>Thats a bummer, its a beautiful when there are 20 on the start line!
>>1 jib halyard and 2 spin halyards. I have a sparcraft spar but the 3
>>halyard system is extended to Ballenger spars too. I use a combination of
>>older rope/wire halyards for the main/jib (they are getting replaced soone
>>with all spectra soon) and new light 1/4 stayset halyards for the spin.
>>The 1/4 is small and hard to handle for the mast/foredeck, but has no
>>trouble so far in handling a loaded spin in up to 25 knots. You might
>>consider something a little larger than 1/4.
2. Spinnaker Launch/Set - Is the favored method to launch and retrieve from a companionway basket or a basket under the forward hatch? Do most boats have mastman/foredeck jump the spin halyard from a starboard exit? With a clutch or camcleat under the spin halyard exit can the mastman handle the launch without running halyard aft to a cabin winch? Can mastman control topping lift with a cam cleat on the mast or does it need to be lead aft to cabin winch with a clutch?
>>it really depends on the racing. Around the bouys in light air it is
>>becoming increasingly common here in the PNW to launch from a spin bag out
>>of the hatch. I do so, many other boats do so. It is more efficient, with
>>the only risk being ripping the sail as it comes out or goes in. No one I
>>know launches from the companionway, thats an asym spin thing - typically
>>if you lauch from a turtle you do so by mounting the turtle on the
>>lifelines between the bow pulpit and first stanchion aft of the pulpit. My
>>mast jumps the halyard from either side of the boat (2 spin halyards
>>remember) depending on the hoist. If you elect to keep the clutch running
>>the spin halyards aft, the floater person tails through the clutch. The
>>foredeck usually can handle the hoist with 1-2 people - the mast can have
>>1 or 2 camcleats to hold the spin halyard, many boats are set like this
>>and it is good, though my halyards are still run aft through a clutch. The
>>spin halyard does not require winching unless its blowing in excess of 25
>>knots. The topping must be controlled from the base of the mast to be
>>effective, get a Harken topping control and pop-rivet it on near the base
>>of the mast.
3. Winches - My Barient 22's appear to be shot. Thinking of replacing them with Harken ST40's. Any value in secondary winches on cockpit coaming for spin. sheets/guy? Are the Barient 16's on the cabin top sufficient for all control lines lead aft plus doubling as spin sheet winches?
>>Many people move the primaries to the cabin top, and remove the
>>secondaries completely. This eliminates the need for the turning block aft
>>of the primary. My Barient 23's are actually still quite servicable so I
>>have not moved them, however. If you move the primaries to the cabin top,
>>you dont have to worry about the load from the control lines, but yes, I
>>have actually broken halyards cranking them in on my small secondaries, so
>>I think that they are more than sufficient. My secondaries are single
>>speed and I use them for spin sheets, as you mention, but I am not sure I
>>like this setup - 1 set of primaries on the cabintop makes alot of sense
>>-- UNTIL YOU TRY TO SINGLEHAND. If you flan to sail shorthanded, I would
>>suggest you keep the primaries closer to the tiller.
4. Cabin top layout - plan to run main halyard, jib halyards, spin halyard ?, topping lift, outhaul and cunningham aft through Lewmar clutches to cabin top winches. What is best not to lead aft? Plan on double ended foreguy lead on both sides of cabin top to Harken cams.
>>What you mention is not the best plan, IMO. But it depends on the racing
>>you will do. If you plan to do lots of bouy racing, the key it to make you
>>foredeck self-sufficient. This is accomplished by running the spin
>>halyards through camcleats on the mast beneath their exits, putting a
>>topping control on the mast, and putting the spin clutch close enough to
>>the mast so that it can be reached by the mast person while the foredeck
>>gathers the jib. That eliminates half the clutches right there. In
>>distance racing the foredeck self-suffienceincy is not so necessary, so
>>you can take your time with the deck modifications. Outhaul I control
>>directly from the boom. Cunningham I control from the pit as is OEM. The
>>double ended downhaul you mention is the way to go, it makes things much
>>easier in heavy air. The guy trimmer gets an additional responsibility,
>>but at least its something that is a no-brainer.
Alex, Carrera #32, Seattle