Spiros twins Osprey pics

   A couple of years ago a competative Opsrey set up a twin spiro system - and told us all how wonderful it was and we should try it too ....  up to the point when he took it out.

When it was good it was excellent but when it went wrong, oh boy!

There should be no problem with crew weight in the front of the Osprey at sea - but where the spiro is more likely to be useful is if you have a lightweight crew who lacks the strength to push the pole out those last few inches.

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vscott Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 11 Apr 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 181	Post Options Post Reply Quote vscott Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Spiros twins Osprey pics Posted: 30 Nov 10 at 5:30pm
	A couple of years ago a competative Opsrey set up a twin spiro system - and told us all how wonderful it was and we should try it too .... up to the point when he took it out. When it was good it was excellent but when it went wrong, oh boy! There should be no problem with crew weight in the front of the Osprey at sea - but where the spiro is more likely to be useful is if you have a lightweight crew who lacks the strength to push the pole out those last few inches.
	Mk IV Osprey 1314 Think Again Kielder Water Sailing Club

Merlinboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 03 Jul 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3169	Post Options Post Reply Quote Merlinboy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Nov 10 at 3:49pm
	Gordon, it would be easier asking a stone to become an organ donar. I have sent pictures of the twin Spiro to my Dad, who thinks it shoudl be easy enough for one of his fabricators to make so watch this space (if i decide to go down the twin pole route.)

gordon1277 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 24 Mar 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 665	Post Options Post Reply Quote gordon1277 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Nov 10 at 3:36pm
	Hi Russ Would it not be a suitable Christmas present from him in the back to make you quicker and make his steering easier by having the rudder in the water at those critical times. for you it might save those helpful comments like...... In your own time or as quick as you like. Don't you just love those.
	Gordon Lossc

Merlinboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 03 Jul 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3169	Post Options Post Reply Quote Merlinboy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Nov 10 at 2:43pm
	Gordon, Thanks for the info. I like the look and the principle behind the twin Spiro set up, i had a simple twin pole system on my Merlin years ago and it was great. I don't want to spend the money on setting the boat up with a £350 twin Spiro and another £200 carbon pole not to mention the gubbins that comes with it. But your right, i should stop trying to be a cheapskate.

gordon1277 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 24 Mar 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 665	Post Options Post Reply Quote gordon1277 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Nov 10 at 2:30pm
	Hi Russ I think the main drawbacks with the non spiro versions were. loss of pole length. friction in the system causing rope, block and crew knackering. I had a non spiro on Hughes FD which jammed and I pulled the foredeck off trying to launch the pole. Russ just remember if in doubt its a 505 spend money on it, if its a fourteen or merlin double the amount.
	Gordon Lossc

Merlinboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 03 Jul 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3169	Post Options Post Reply Quote Merlinboy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Nov 10 at 2:08pm
	Sorry to drag this old thread up again. I am in the early stages of thinking about converting the 505 to twin carbon poles. The twin pole 505 systems i have seen so far are using a twin Spiro system. But this certainly ain't cheap (i think £350) What are the major draw backs of two blocks on the ring or the home made (sorry if not) launcher made out of stainless with through deck blocks. Would two blocks on the d-ring wear out/handle the load OK? Also with the home made launcher do you what pole end fitting so you use as a pivot (the ball like a Spiro??) Any photos or diagrams would really help. Russ

MerlinMags Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Admin Group Joined: 19 Mar 04 Location: UK, Guildford Online Status: Offline Posts: 588	Post Options Post Reply Quote MerlinMags Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Mar 09 at 3:39pm
	I believe several Merlins have tried the spiro system, years ago, and it resulted in black eyes, lost teeth etc. I guess the main difference with the Osprey is you're saying you don't want the crew going near the mast? Twin poles do work well in the Merlin fleet, you can gybe very swiftly, but every system takes a bit of getting used to. This is an older boat with ally poles, but the system matches the newest boats: http://www.merlinrocket.co.uk/gallery/default.asp?folder=gal lery/rigging_guide/3489 Worst part is the poles clanging on the boom up the beat....

jamesewanharvey Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 03 Apr 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 33	Post Options Post Reply Quote jamesewanharvey Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Mar 09 at 7:52am
	I used to have twin poles on a scorpion they worked really really well and far easier to Gybe than the single pole system. Each to their own though!

Mikey 14778 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Feb 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 298	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mikey 14778 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Mar 09 at 9:06pm
	It's one of those 'unwritten' rules. Basically the argument goes along the lines that the Fireball rules refer to 'the pole', which is in the singular and thus means one and only one. I pointed out that they also refer to 'the trapeze', but apparently that's different and we are allowed two of those (phew!). I would have been inclined to argue my point further, but I was debating this with the Fireball International Class Rules Bloke, so his opinion is clearly going to carry a bit more weight than mine. In fairness, I can see his point of view now it's been explained to me, but I still think it's a bit of a grey area. For the full explanation, see this post on the FI Forum Maybe I should look at what the Merlins get up to with single poles....
	Fireball 14778 - 'Cruel and Unusual' Draycote Water, fantastic !

Paramedic Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 929	Post Options Post Reply Quote Paramedic Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Mar 09 at 8:44pm
	That's odd as i've seen a couple with twins. Is it an obscure rule that bans them?