This is one of the many spare parts I found on Spindrift. What purpose does this clip on the end of the line have?
Is it a preventer to stop the traveller moving right across in an accidental jibe?

Some type of tweaker ?
Depending on how long the yellow line is and if another small block for spinnaker sheet
bungy cord used to hold block stable maybe (when not in use)

As per Craig depending on the length of the yellow sheet, suggest it could well be an additional sheet to clip onto genoas and jibs when reaching. With the yacht's history (to Alaska and back) a lot of time would have been spent reaching and sheeting genoas and jibs further out onto the toerail gives them a lot better shape when reaching than just easing the sheet and leaving it run through the inboard track pulley which was fine for upwind work. Sheeting out on the toerail at the appropriate and usually more forward fore and aft location will ensure the genoa/jib does not have too much chordwise curve and hook, and also ensures the head is not twisted off too much so the whole luff is drawing properly and the whole sail is exhausting properly. For a 32fter an extra 0.5-0.75kt boat speed is probable and well worth the effort. So unclip the snap shackle which the rope is spliced to off the snap shackle under the block, it goes to the sail clew. The snap shackle off the block goes to the toerail fitting. The shockchord looks about long enough to go to the top lifeline to hold the block up and stop it flogging around and damaging paintwork.

What R13 is describing is a Barber Hauler, used so that you can adjust the angle of the genoa sheets, if the blocks can't be changed, or you want to tweak the angle a bit.

Outboard (reaching) sheet block no? Or spinnaker change sheet block.
You cleat the block outside the lifelines, the bungee at the top holds it up so it doesn't flop around. This lets you set the jib better when reaching in shy conditions with lots of breeze.
The yellow line is your outboard sheet (or change sheet).

Thanks FabPhill but at the risk of slipping into sematics a genoa/jib barber hauler is usually a smaller diameter control line which goes to a smaller block than the main sheet block on the track and is located fwd of that main block so is the first block the sheet goes through, which is used to tweak the upwind sheeting angle inboard a bit for flat water, or to bring the sheet lead more forward so as to tighten the leech a bit. I believe that with the size of the block there on the 32fter that it is an additional genoa/jib sheet which can be lead out to the gunwale for the purpose as described. So using it is completely independent of the normal genoa/jib sheets and barber haulers which they may have on them fwd of the main block on the track. For racing keeping the 2 systems separate would be necessary so as to enable a seamless transition.
Thanks Poodle yes that's what I was describing you have done it better.

Hi it looks very similar to the block that I have on my boat for setting the assametric spinnaker tack, heavy line with the clip to the bow cleat through to the tack, clip on and adjust the height with the tail on the cleat, the bungee to the pullpit keeps the block vertical. The snapshackle on the block attaches at the bow fitting.

Spot on Uncle Bob, that is exactly what its was used for on Jonathan Seagull for 20 odd years. It also doubled as the spinnaker pole down haul.

Tell me, do you have a sock for your spinnaker?

Select to expand quote

nswsailor said..
Tell me, do you have a sock for your spinnaker?

Hi Nswsailor,
Sorry not to respond until now.
Yes I do. What is your thinking?

Slight thread drift , but does anybody else here hate bungy cords? I am referring to the bungy cord with those stupid plastic coated wire hooks, not the cord itself.
I ended up with only two pieces on the whole boat, and that was a tied cord that held the rear spinnaker blocks off the deck (attached loosely to the the lower lifelines).
I've seen enough crew injuries from whipping bungy cords to be leery of the whole idea.

Select to expand quote

shaggybaxter said..
Slight thread drift , but does anybody else here hate bungy cords? I am referring to the bungy cord with those stupid plastic coated wire hooks, not the cord itself.
I ended up with only two pieces on the whole boat, and that was a tied cord that held the rear spinnaker blocks off the deck (attached loosely to the the lower lifelines).
I've seen enough crew injuries from whipping bungy cords to be leery of the whole idea.

i have a particular hate of bungy cord with those balls on that some people use to restrain sails i have been smacked on the back of the hands numerous times though i do have them on my boat cover and hate them

Select to expand quote

Bundeenabuoy said..

nswsailor said..
Tell me, do you have a sock for your spinnaker?

Hi Nswsailor,
Sorry not to respond until now.
Yes I do. What is your thinking?

I have a spinnaker in a sock. To raise and lower the sock there is a continuous rope.
The idea is to have one of these opening blocks so you can clip onto the line
and maintain control of it. The bungy cord just takes out any shock and allows you to
stretch to the rope. Mind you, the one I have is a lot smaller.

But then that bungy cord maybe to just hang it some where.
Whats the double braid for?

Reaching sheet.

Select to expand quote

boty said..

shaggybaxter said..
Slight thread drift , but does anybody else here hate bungy cords? I am referring to the bungy cord with those stupid plastic coated wire hooks, not the cord itself.
I ended up with only two pieces on the whole boat, and that was a tied cord that held the rear spinnaker blocks off the deck (attached loosely to the the lower lifelines).
I've seen enough crew injuries from whipping bungy cords to be leery of the whole idea.

i have a particular hate of bungy cord with those balls on that some people use to restrain sails i have been smacked on the back of the hands numerous times though i do have them on my boat cover and hate them

I bought some of these bungee cords with the balls on the end for securing the main to the boom. I did a double wrap, it was tight, and the ball got away, swung at insane speed around and hit me in the mouth, splitting my lip very badly. Very lucky not to lose a tooth. Crazy amount of blood.

I'm more than just a bit wary of these now.

DM