Spinnaker Halyard Trouble
After using our new asymmetrical spinnaker for about three hours, we had one significant issue. The flip-flop block at the top of the mast sawed through the spinnaker line. Another hour of sailing and I think the sail would have come down!
After much deliberation and corresponding with the factory, we decided to remove the flip-flop block entirely. In fact, Allures has stopped installing these blocks on their new builds. The configuration is now simpler. We have tested the solution and the chafe problem is solved. Other than two trips up the mast, juggling a drill 60 feet off the deck, and ending up with a slightly shorter spinnaker halyard, it was a relatively straightforward fix.
Does anyone need a barely used flip flop block?
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hi michael
if you can help me a bit, please, i saw in your fhotografhs the kind of OMEGA type piece, which i want to buy and i can not find it, if you know the name of this kind of item, (the one which the rope passes through it), i will appreciate it very much.
thank you danny brand
dannybrandy2@yahoo.com
I am not sure which piece you are referring to?
Hello, found this interesting. We had recently a problem with our spinnaker halyard which we use frequently for gennaker and parasail or on our Lagoon 400. Lately it does not turn freely and the line crumbles around the block or the knot below, I am not really sure what is wrong after 6 years. A rigger reversed our lines and maybe the know is too big and should be replaced with a splice and a shackle. On the front of the mast all lines including this funny flip flop block, as you call it, seems to close to each other. I want to simplify it. Your solution seems great, but what about the flip flop action, is that not needed for a parasailor, when it goes on the sides? Would appreciate your experience with your solution, because there is not much flip flop action with only halyard leads, or? Tack Tobbe
We found the low friction fairlead with a halyard protected with a dyneema chafe sleeve to be trouble free for several years.