Chris,

First, your stock spin pole end bridles should be tight. There should also be a slight upward bend in the pole where you tie it off under the forestay. This is structural and will make your spin pole stronger (less likely to break). If you set the tack of the spin at the end of the spinnaker pole, you CAN NOT hoist the spin head all the way to the halyard return block at the top end of the mast. The halyard return block is secured by a line tied to the top of the mast and a bail (line on new Tigers or a stainless bail on older ones) that runs perpendicular thru the return block about 18 inches from the top of the mast. This keeps the block close to the mast but still allows mast rotation freedom. See F18 Rule B.2.1.4 for Spinnaker Hoist Height specifications. There will be about 10-14 inches of "pigtail" as you call it. This pigtail length will vary depending on how much tension you put on the spin luff and where you position the "plastic stopper ball". F18/Tigers have been running snug on the luff tension in order to carry the chute on a slightly higher (and faster) point of sail downwind. Luff tension can be adjusted while sailing by letting off on the tack line or spin halyard a bit but you generally want to be snug. A tension line inside the luff will prolong with life of the spin. Hope this info helps.

John Bauldry
Hobie Tiger 1317