Topdown Furling and bowsprit 44i

[Aquarelaskip]

Happy New Year everyone!



I would like to install a top down furling downwind sail to our 44i on a continuous furler. Those of you familiar with the 44i model will know that it has a fairly large double anchor roller. My question is, can I attach the tack swivel/torsion rope directly to the roller or do I need to retro-fit a removable? I asked a guy at this year's SBS and he was concerned about the vertical load on the roller, especially if back twist occurs.



Thanks







Jon

[Tafika II]

Here's what we did on our SO42DS...link
We did add a bobstay later which help improve the stability. Here are some photos:

[zaphod]

I believe Selden makes a deck mounted bowsprit kit for your boat, complete with the pole bracket that goes in place of your port side roller. I believe the inboard anchor pad eye for the sprit is preinstalled as well. At least it is on our 39i. Your Jeanneau broker or a local Selden dealer can order it in for you.

A sprit is a better option than just tacking directly to the bow roller because it gives you some separation between the spinnaker furler and the forestay, making gybes easier.

But to answer your question, the bow roller structure is certainly capable of handling the load if you dont want a sprit.

[Aquarelaskip]

Thanks Tafika II and Zaphod.  I thought a removable Selden bowsprit would be best. Your comments confirm it. 

[wayneb]

We have a Seldon Bow Spirit on our DS49 with a Bobstay just in case there is to much loads on the spirit. works great with the Bamar top down furler system, we are able to fly both head sail and asymmetreical sail at the same time given the right conditions. only problem is we cant remove the bobstay unless we get in the water or do it in the marina as the connection to the hull near the water line.

[Don Reaves]

Trogear has a triangular "bowsprit" which you can see here. They have the advantage of being adjustable from the deck, through the use of an adjustable bobstay. You can raise them up to the bow pulpit, which makes attaching the furler easy. They're not cheap, however.

Don

[zaphod]

Jan 17, 2019 12:27:02 GMT wayneb said:

We have a Seldon Bow Spirit on our DS49 with a Bobstay just in case there is to much loads on the spirit. works great with the Bamar top down furler system, we are able to fly both head sail and asymmetreical sail at the same time given the right conditions. only problem is we cant remove the bobstay unless we get in the water or do it in the marina as the connection to the hull near the water line.

One sailmaker I talked to suggested a bob stay, however I cannot find anywhere on the Selden site where they recommend a bob stay, nor have I found any images of Selden spirits equipped with bob stays.

As far as I'm concerned any sprit solution I go with must be removeable because the sprit interferes with the anchor locker, and a bob stay will just complicate that. Neither Selden, nor my rigger feel it is necessary so I am comfortable going without. We are not racing, so we will not be flying the chute in strong winds, it is primarily a light wind sail for us.

[Aquarelaskip]

So following on from my original post, we’ve decided to go with an 87mm Selden bowsprit with a Facnor FX+2500 continuous furler but in an unexpected twist we’re going to fly the Elvstrom Blue Water Runner. We figured this was a perfect set-up for passage making as a short handed crew - easier to handle and more versatile than an asymmetric. The Loft is ready to go but need to know the maximum luff measurement before commencing manufacture as the torsion cable is integral to the sail. Problem is the boat is in Spain and I’m in the UK.

Unfortunately I have no idea how to calculate from afar so hoping someone can help or already knows the answer?

Our SO44i has the classic rig. The sprit will extend 740cm from the bow and I’d like to run the halyard from the highest point on the mast to assist with gybing when the sail is set up for reaching (as Pipemma mentions in a previous post). 

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Jon

[zaphod]

I just completed my furler setup this summer. I went with the Harken Reflex2 furler and the Selden sprit, and so far it works beautifully, although there is a bit of a learning curve to getting a clean furl.

I had my spinnaker halyard moved up to the masthead and installed the bowsprit, then assembled the furling system. Only AFTER the furler was completed was the final luff measurement done and the spinnaker fitted. In my case I got a good deal on a near new, used spinnaker and I had the sailmaker recut it to fit the furler.

While there is some wiggle room on the luff length, you are best off assembling the furler before you order the spinnaker and taking actual measurements rather than using math and guesswork.

[zzmeyer]

Added the Selden sprit for my asymmetrical on a 42ds. Made a very large difference just that small distance in front of the furled jib. Much more stable. Further from the blanketing impact of the main. More sail projected on a reach. I was surprised at the difference.