Cheapest way to add a spinnaker

Okay...I love my 1990 H18 magnum, and I refuse to trade up to the Tiger because I think my boat is a lot more solid and I will not give up the wings. But, we like to sail long distances and having a spinnaker up on a twelve knot day would really be cool. What's the cheapest way to add a spinnaker to the H18? Does it make sense to look for a used Tiger set up? They seem to always be upgrading, so they are probably available someplace. Would that work?

Wyatt

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Sails off Angola, NY, Lake Erie.

My H18 came with a spin that one of the previous owners installed. From the "logo" on the sail I imagine it cam from some other type of boat. I have no idea what type (it is a stylized "F" or "T" with an extra line for style). Though it looks like all they did was add an aluminum pole that has a slot on the end that goes over the dolphin striker then they used some thin rigging wire with clips on the end to attach (actually just hang) it from the roller furller. And they also put some rigging wire from the front of the pole over to the same bracket the bridle wires attach. Oh, and I assume the attahcment point on the mast for the sail head was added. The blocks for the sheet go on the bottom of the wings and on the same tracks as the jib blocks. It seems simple and cheap enough to do. The sail itself looks like the expensive part.

As to giving up your wings, I see that the Hobie web site says the wings are an option on the Tiger now. Am I reading something wrong?

The wings are an option on the tiger as on the fx-1. 3 different styles i believe.
As for the spin on the 18 look at the premade kit available from hobie or try to find a used one on line. As far as the dolphin striker mounted pole thats a risky set up. I would recomend a x bar mount for the pole. Also the tiger spin would be a little to high for a standard h-18 rig. Too high of a mount point on the comp tip.

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Rich Vilvens
F-18 5150
[email protected]
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/

I am a bit nervous about the striker mounted pole. In fact I have only used the spin three times and it worked fine but I am reluctant to use it. Also it is a bag launced spin so not the most simple thing to launch and stow.

wings are no longer available as a seperate item (any of the Euro models and 18 SX), although you can buy Getaway wings, or the Wave "backrests".

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Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

If you have a solid mast an F18 spin is an option, on a comptip it's questionable. Stay away from the SX spin setup, slow and cumbersome. An endpole or mid-pole snuffer system with continouos halyard is the simplest. I can help with most details if your serious.