I'd like to add a spinnaker to a Mystere 5.5 by finding a used F18 spin so I to want provide similar boat geometry to a true F18 boat. Is there a typical spin pole length? I know the rule is 800mm past the bows that doesn't tell me simply how long the pole is. I have a 12 foot pole. Is that long enough?

Oh, and by the way, does anyone have a used spin they want to sell? Please PM me.

Hi David,

The location of the front beam is free and therefore the overall length is not regulated. The Tiger pole is roughly 3600 long.

Hope this helps.

Tiger Mike

There is conversation about how this is going to be a fair measurement. From the graphic below you can see that there are two different measurements. These are listed in the F18 Rules. I think it will come down to not swinging your pole while taking the measurement. In other words 800mm from the very forward-most point of the hull I think will be best way to do it today. There talk of making it an average of the bow for reverse (wave piercing) bows.

If you are attaching it to the front of the front crossbar. Measure from the front crossbar attachment point to the hull on either side. Go straight forward to the tip of the bow and add 800mm. That will be your pole length for Formula 18 rules.

for some reason I cannot attach the graphic so you will have to manually go to:
http://www.catsailor.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10093/SpinPoleMeas.gif

Later,
Dan

Thanks for the comments. I saw the same drawing from the F18 rules but since I don't have the boat to measure beam-to-bow, I didnt' know if a pole should be 11, 12, 13, or 14 feet. The 3600 mm number puts it right close to 12 feet, just the length of the pole I have. I won't be sailing F18, I just want to find a modern used (cheap) F18 spin and not struggle with geometries too much. There seems to be no easy way to sneak into the spin world without hurling money at it.

David,

Funny, I just had a 2nd hand spin installed by the Mystere
guy's on my 5.5 this morning.

Tell you what, let me get you some detailed pictures this
weekend.

Cheer's

Steve (alais sr072896 ... work).

"Mystere guys"??? Are they still in business? PLEASE, let me know how to contact them! Our loyal Mystere fleet is worried about their rumored demise.

Is that a Twister spin you got? Do they have another? I'd love to to see some photos.

How long is your spin pole?

I just sold a used spinnaker (Tiger) and told a friend that I did. He said that if I knew of anyone else that wanted one to talk to him about it. He has one that he no longer uses. It is for a Nacra F-18. I think it is about 6 inches taller than a Tiger.

If you put a Formula 18 spinnaker and pole on any other catamaran you can measure the distance back from the Formula 18 front crossbar to where the sheet attaches and copy those dimensions exactly. In other words just measure where they put there blocks on the hull and put them in the same point on your boat.

Later,
Dan

Dave,I have a chute you might want to look at. See you at the beach Sunday before the race. Brand new,black chute. Check it out and see if it works for you.

David,
I am following your train of thought and bought an inexpensive used F18 spinnaker to use on my P19. What are you thinking of using for a pole?. I have contacted aluminium tube vendors in the area and they only seem to have lenghts of up to 12 ft. Now thinking of a windsurfing mast.

The AHPC data I got from OZ for their Taipan 4.9 uses 40 mm x 1.6 mm. The 4.9 pole is 3250 mm long (10.66 feet). I don't know about the Capricorn F18 pole. This 40 mm diameter is set up for their cool midpole snuffer to slide right on to. This is the same dimensions as a spar from a Sunfish. New that is only $80 and I think it is 14 feet. They often can be found broken at the 12 foot mark and uaually very CHEAP! Should work well for an F16 rig and maybe F18.

Contact Robbie and Jill for AHPC parts. They will have snuffers, poles, etc. And here in the US!

Happy Birthday, all you U.S.-icans!

Mike, How long is the luff on that spin? If it doesn't fit your 6.0 how could it work on my 5.5 (if I can get it)? How long is your pole? All us girls want to know. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />