I thought I remembered that the class allowed furlers sometime recently.

Check the class rules, because there are some specs to conform to, in part:

L. ROLLER FURLERS AND HEADSAILS: A roller furler of optional, above-deck design may be fitted to the forestay. The use of a roller furler system, if fitted, shall conform to the following rules:

1. Headsails for roller furler systems that incorporate an operational headfoil shall be fitted with the appropriate luff tape, and set through use of the headfoil.

2. Material, weight and size specifications for roller furled headsails are defined by Part II Rule 9 H., I., J., and K. An exception is provided for any UV protection fabric applied to the leech. The selection of UV protection fabric is optional.

3. No additional halyards may be fitted. The jib halyard, its attachment point, hardware and fittings must conform to the specifications in Part II Rule 7.

4. The length of the forestay is as specified in Part II Rule 6 and shall include all roller-furling hardware.

That’s what I was afraid of (and kind of assumed).

Thanks for the info.

Tom

Hi Tom,

According to the class rules, neither the bowsprit nor the spinnaker furler would be legal. Also, all the spinnaker furler systems I'm aware of are intended for asymmetrical spinnakers, and only symmetrical spinnakers are legal under the class rules.

Regards,

Steve Heinzelman

ECA VC of Rules

#612, Elmo

Canandaigua Yacht Club

Hello,

I was just checked the specifications and rules for ensign racing (on this site) and didn't see any mention of adding a bowsprit. Just curious about this as I've considered adding a top-down spinnaker furler and a small bowsprit might help keep it out of the way of the genoa and forestay. It would be a deal-breaker if it violates any racing regs, thoug.

Thanks,

THT