H-18SX Spinaker

I bought a '97 H-18SX w/spinaker kit including the turtle bag. I'm new to spinaker's but experienced on H-16's. What are the right wind conditions for launching the spi? Do I need to take down the jib? When I jibe/tack, will the spi's sheet work to bring it around?

There are so many lines going from the mast forward: jib furl line, jib sheets, spi halyards, jib cover halyard, spi tack line...Are there any drawings that show how all the lines from the mast forward are supposed to go? Thanks.

Thats a tough one! The SX spin runs off the rear crossbar so sheets must extend aft as well. The spin is very large with more symmetrical shape so jib probably should be furled. Launching from the bag requires a tack line in addition to the halyard. I run an endpole snuffer on mine with a chute cut for a Tiger, eliminates a tack line. My sheet blocks are on the front crossbar which allows me to tuck the sheet in the pockets when not needed. I leave the jib open and trimmed when the chute is out. Play the main by traveler only when flying chute. I owned a Fox which could deck launch and sailed an I-20 with deck launch, both have 8.5' beams and extra tramp area for the turtle bag. Would be real tight on a SX. Most of the Tiger racers have gone to a midpole setup with separate tack line and continuos retreival halyard. Light wind below 10kts for the first few trips would be smart. Hardest thing to get used to is falling off when the hull rises, upwind you turn up to bring the hull down. Instinct will make you turn up the first few times.

What ncmbm said.... and....

I have an SX and I run the spin sheet off of small blocks at the most rearward corner of the wing, then under the wing to another (racheting) block anchored to the midde support beam on the wing and then to the center of the boat. After many configurations this seemed to be the "least messy".

I don't know if it would be class legal (or if you care) but I extended the spin pole by about 18-24".

Also run 1/4" bungie from the forward corner of the wing to the bow tang - keeps the spin sheets from getting hooked under the wing.

Make sure the spin sheets are outside the jib sheets when you set up.

Some people "fly it around" when gybing... but I think most (me included) pulled it through the inside (between the spin halyard and jib halyard).

Get some rubber hose about 2" long, make a slit down one side. This should slip over the chain plate area above the furler, duct tape it on. This will keep the knot on the spin sheet from hanging up.

We tried many times and depending on the conditions it seemed like the jib out helped just a bit... but if things were a bit too exciting we'd furl it just to keep it out of the way and also in real light wind, that way you can then see exactly whet the spin is doing.

Just for kicks, some time lay down and look up the mast when under spin power... it is bent like an "S"!!! The comp tip flexes a lot !

The spin is a reacher, but not a hard reacher... and yes, when that puff hits DRIVE IT DOWN.

It's a blast when you get it all sorted and comfortable with!

Have fun!

Brian