Setting thru the main hatch is standard practice.

The key to a good set is the pre feed. Start by getting the corner with guy attached going up high behind the genoa(make sure it is above the leech cord patch). This will keep it from falling down near the lifeline and getting stuck between the lifeline and the foot of the genoa. Have the bow person give a final check just to make sure it is clear (if not, give the genoa a qucik skirt) before he/she goes to halyard to hoist. The twing person should help finish the prefeed by pulling the guy from right behind the twing block.

This can all be done on the way to the offset mark, and allow for a quick set at the offset.

The alternatives are a bad as they require weight on the foredeck and off the rail, which are J24 "NO-NO's".

Brian

Question?

I use to race alot on the Chesapeake in larger boats, today on Lake Travis in Austin,Texas I sailed on a J/24 for a race practice. I've never raced or sailed on a J/24, being new to this skipper I didn't want to mouth off but setting the spinnker thru the main cabin hatch didn't seem effective. Is this normal?

Thank You

Hi Schuimpje:
One really important part of the crew roll, is to remain in the rail until the boat is heading to the new course.
Try to use as less as posible the rudder to turn the boat.
Discuss with them in advance what type of spinnaker set you are thinking about.
I believe that every crew will find their way of doing a good mark rounding after some hours on the water training.
Please send me your email and I will send you and articule that I wrote for an Southamerican magazine about mark rounding and crew positions.
Happy Holidays,
Juan C. Mauri
Doyle Sailmakers
doyleplochsails@compuserve.com

Nils: from a foredeck point of view:
as you are a boatlength or so from windward mark, foredeck person is at mast. look up, make sure all halyards are clear as you set the spinnaker pole.

have the spin halyard ready to set on "hoist call". raise spin fast as possible, then release genoa halyard. run to bow, helping the genoa down to deck, pulling the sail towards the pulpit area to store for downwind leg.

back to mast to coil spin halyard so it runs free on douse. ease main cunningham, jib cunningham ( if it was on), and the outhaul.

get in position and call puffs for your spin trimmer. jibe pole when necessary. yell at skipper to shut the hell up about his bad start and keep his head in the game( just kidding)

that's the foredeck duty, maybe someone at aanother position can give you some help. if your getting crew together, it is not desireable to have alot of weight at the bow. look for 5'9"-6'0" 130-160 lbs.
good luck, have fun

Hello there, just bought a boat myselfin the netherlands and now building a team. I do want to know different ways how to set the spinnaker, what has to be done by different crewmebers when, especially when you have to gibe direct after the uppermark.

Nils Jannichsen
NED 51