looking to add a spin to my 18 this summer. I'd like to get into it for fairly cheap so my plan is to use sunfish boom for pole and bag launch for now. I have most of the hardware already but have some open questions.

1. Where is a good place to find used spinnakers? I've read an F16 spin works well, is that what I should look for? If I have to buy new I'll just use one of the vendors from this site.

2. Does the spin sheet ever get cleated? Looking at pics of spin setups it seems the sheet runs to a block by shroud then to block on front beam. I'm guessing this is a ratcheting block? I goes when solo I could have spin sheet in hand rather then the main.

3. How close to the wind can you sail with a modern cut spin? I mostly recreational sail so If the wind is good I'll stay on beam reach for hours on end then turn around.

Just my 0.02.

On any 18' boat, I would tend to go with a F18 spin. Little more bang for your buck and you can just copy dimensions for the pole, sheet location, and mast location for the bale.

Go with the ratchematic blocks. If your going to single hand, you could add a harken cleat to the bottom of your side shrouds, then just cleat it there when you get tired. The cool thing about the harken cleat at the shroud you can use it for newbs and beachwheels.

On the main, you should just travel out and leave it. Definelty don't want to uncleat the main in a gust with the spin up. They say it could bend or break your mast from the spin.

Unless you go with a "reacher" spin, you will only be able to use it downwind. I have sailed a reacher upwind. Yea... just go with the typical downwind spin...

BTW.. you will love the spin. Hard to go back to a main/jib sail boat.

Jonathan
Mesa, AZ
Solcat 18 -gone
Prindle 16 - gone
Prindle 19 w/spin - gone
Narca 20 - gone
Prindle 18-2... needs a spin

IMO, don't go for the bag launch. Do it right the first time and get a snuffer. SO MUCH easier and faster. You don't want the extra hassle of the spin to put off your crew.

Do you have a solid mast? I would go with the F18 or possibly I20 spin.

For the blocks, A single auto would do it for the F16 Kite. I would add a second select-able ratchet for the 18 or 20 kite.

I agree with Jonathan on the cleat, though you shouldn't plan to use it much. On my boats the spin is CONSTANTLY played, it requires good rhythm between the helm and trimmer to get the most out of it.

The newer F-boat spins can be run pretty high, I try to keep 90* apparent wind going. Which means as you speed up, you will certainly be turning down pretty good.

I love a good jibe on a spin boat, boat comes around that that spin will pop, the boat accelerates fast enough to spit you off the back if your not ready.

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Greenville SC

Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
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This seems to be coming up more often. I think all us H18 guys are feeling the urge to breathe some new life into the old boat. I'd prefer more of a Code 0/hooter type sail just so I can use a furler for launching simplicity but the prices on some of the used f18 spins makes just doing a snuffer setup enticing.

I have a feeling if I come across a good used wind surfing mast that I won't be able to stop myself diving into the project.

I put a top down furling spinnaker on my SC20. It's easy to furl and unfurl, no line loads. I think for racing I prefer the snuffer like on our F16, but the top down is nice for playing around and is really easy to use. There are some that like it better for racing, but they are in the bigger cats with lots of spin sail to get up in the air. It's a little more expensive than buying a snuffer setup, $300-400 more.

Video of my first test of it last year in really light air. It unfurls much better when there's breeze. http://youtu.be/6SY-hGtA9dI

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Mac
Midlands South Carolina
AHPC Viper USA 366
A Cat USA 366
Super Cat 17
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I put a top down furling spinnaker on my SC20. It's easy to furl and unfurl, no line loads. I think for racing I prefer the snuffer like on our F16, but the top down is nice for playing around and is really easy to use. There are some that like it better for racing, but they are in the bigger cats with lots of spin sail to get up in the air. It's a little more expensive than buying a snuffer setup, $300-400 more.

Video of my first test of it last year in really light air. It unfurls much better when there's breeze. http://youtu.be/6SY-hGtA9dI

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Mac
Midlands South Carolina
AHPC Viper USA 366
A Cat USA 366
Super Cat 17
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Until you mentioned it I had no idea what a top down furler was! Did a little research and man that looks like a slick system! I'm kind of hoping they will come down in price a little. Putting $1100+ into my old boat plus a sail sounds like something the wife would object to. That being said I might get away with it if I tell her it would prevent me from buying another cat...

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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They are pretty cool for sure. I'd never heard of them until last year, the guys at Aquarius started putting them on the ARC 22's and some of the bigger ones too. The lack of line load is amazing, my wife likes it!

I went with the Seldon furler and got it from Judy B sails. I think the price has gone up a little since then, but I'm pretty sure I stayed under $1K for the complete setup, drum, anti torsion line, endless furling line and double blocks. She was very helpful, I'd recommend her. http://www.hydesailsdirec…?ProductCode=SELDEN%2DGX

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Mac
Midlands South Carolina
AHPC Viper USA 366
A Cat USA 366
Super Cat 17
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Harken Rachmatics are the go-to block for an 18 spin application. One outboard amid ships and one center of front crossbar inside as a turning block. Cleats on shroud chainplates work well for long chute runs. Go with a SNU midpole sniffer system, can be deployed, retrieved single handed, impossible with a bag system. Sunfish mast works perfectly. Chip @ Whirlwind made my code 1, the smaller the # the flatter the chute. I happen to have a windsurfer mast if anybody interested, PM me, Jim.

What size block? The new t2 ratchamatics come in 40 or 57mm. I'm assuming the bigger the better for added friction?

57 mm is what I used. Ratchmatics are the way to go, hold the chute sheet very well, especially with a turning block on the front crossbar.

Do you have any images of your tramp?

I do but can't post I'll send e-mail.

Just use something like https://imgsafe.org/ and then you can post the image

I agree with basically everything, everyone said on here..

go with an f18 sail
go with a snuffer if you can
unless you have big bucks to spend, forget the topdown furler / code zero
57 rachomatic on the shrouds, manual ratchet on the beam (easier in light air)

-I've read a few other places that an f18 spin needs to be mounted too high on a standard h18 mast.
-I've also seen some people mounting the turning blocks to the rear beam vs the shrouds. What's the variable you make that decision off of?

Crew usually runs spin sheets turning block on front crossbar works best, skipper not sitting on spinsheet. F18 standard spin luff to long optimal spin tang placement. I sent Chip @ Whirlwind desired spin luff length measured form tang to spin pole tack and he made my spin to that custom length. Still can't post picks send me pm e-mail address and I'll send tramp picks. Jim.

Crew usually runs spin sheets turning block on front crossbar works best, skipper not sitting on spinsheet. F18 standard spin luff to long optimal spin tang placement. I sent Chip @ Whirlwind desired spin luff length measured form tang to spin pole tack and he made my spin to that custom length. Still can't post picks send me pm e-mail address and I'll send tramp picks. Jim.

911hobie did you get my email address?

Also to the original poster check out the thread I posted about the H18 spinnaker group buy

Here's a pic of my Nacra 5.2 setup. I love it and they will have to pry it from my cold dead hands before I go back to main and jib.

http://www.meulensteen.nl/pics/boat/spinnaker.png

I sail solo 90% of the time and this just works. And sometimes it 'just' works...

Here's a pic of my Nacra 5.2 setup. I love it and they will have to pry it from my cold dead hands before I go back to main and jib.

http://www.meulensteen.nl/pics/boat/spinnaker.png

I sail solo 90% of the time and this just works. And sometimes it 'just' works...

Here's a pic of my Nacra 5.2 setup. I love it and they will have to pry it from my cold dead hands before I go back to main and jib.

http://www.meulensteen.nl/pics/boat/spinnaker.png

I sail solo 90% of the time and this just works. And sometimes it 'just' works...

tamumpower1

-I've read a few other places that an f18 spin needs to be mounted too high on a standard h18 mast.
-I've also seen some people mounting the turning blocks to the rear beam vs the shrouds. What's the variable you make that decision off of?

Have you ever seen a documented failure of a Hobie 18 mast with an F-18 or similar spin? I saw a masthead F16 spin once, and that mast is a freaking noodle.

The blocks on the rear beam were/are for the bigger and fuller spins.

--
Greenville SC

Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
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Have couple all aluminum H-18 masts & can ship. Pete