Fireball Spinnaker Launch system
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12661
Printed Date: 07 Jul 25 at 1:10am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Fireball Spinnaker Launch system
Posted By: Josh14441
Subject: Fireball Spinnaker Launch system
Date Posted: 14 Feb 17 at 9:57am
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I am currently restoring a fireball and would like to know more about the spinnaker launching system.It has no chute and no holes for bags. Apparently, it is a chuck launch system. I would just like to know if it is a good idea to just put holes in the deck and put bags in. It's a wooden deck with Grp Hull and I believe the number is 14441 although it is hard to see it. Many Thanks Josh |
Replies:
Posted By: Noah
Date Posted: 14 Feb 17 at 10:08am
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Hi Josh, Can you post some pics? And maybe let us know where you are? Then you may get a volunteer to eyeball your boat. I am aware that some 'balls had a 'scoop' out of the deck either side of the mast and kite bags were, i believe, intended to be fixed into these. Hope this helps. ------------- Nick D-Zero 316 |
Posted By: Josh14441
Date Posted: 14 Feb 17 at 10:14am
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Posted By: JohnJack
Date Posted: 14 Feb 17 at 10:53am
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You don't necessarily have the cut out in the deck for bags, sometimes the bag or just a barrier was fitted behind the deck, or partly underneath, as long as you could get a kit in there. Interesting hole you have in the fore deck, is that mid repair??
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Posted By: Josh14441
Date Posted: 14 Feb 17 at 10:58am
| thanks and yes that hole is mid-repair that is a photo from a couple weeks ago so there is a patch in there now |
Posted By: Noah
Date Posted: 14 Feb 17 at 11:24am
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Er. Never seen one like that before. Is the hole in the foredeck functional or a repair? There seems to be a hole in the fwd bulkhead. Remains of a kite chute where the foredeck has been replaced, perhaps? However, assuming there is space between the fwd bulkhead and the aft edge of the foredeck, I would look at cutting holes, adding some suitable reinforcement and installing bags, as per the most common system in use today. ------------- Nick D-Zero 316 |
Posted By: Josh14441
Date Posted: 14 Feb 17 at 12:02pm
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the hole in the foredeck is from the trapeze hook when the previous sailor's crew must have tried to get the spinnaker sheet from under the bow and the hole in the bulkhead is a buoyancy tank hatch and yes there is space to cut holes for bags so i think that is what I will do thanks
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Posted By: Paramedic
Date Posted: 14 Feb 17 at 6:36pm
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Hi Josh. that looks much older than the number you suggest. Not that this is a problem as it looks to be a boat you've rescued from an untimely demise. The hull number should be engraved upon the thwart. if its not there it implies that the thwart has been replaced or the hull never issued a number - the former is more likely.
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Posted By: zippyRN
Date Posted: 14 Feb 17 at 8:43pm
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as Paramedic says i doubt that is a 144xx boat , looking at the image at the full size it just looks older, much older ... stuff like the wooden chocks for the cleats etc ... |
Posted By: Josh14441
Date Posted: 14 Feb 17 at 9:48pm
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That's strange as I looked up other fireballs and 14442 was described as wooden decks with GRP hull although it could be a different number the number is on the port side of the thwart there were definitley 3 4s and what looked like a 1 in front of it and a 1 or a 7 after it although it looked more like a 1. There are 2 stickers aft in the cockpit saying it was registered to the international fireball association in 1994 and 95, I emailed them trying to find info about it a week or 2 ago but had no response. Thanks for the reply Josh
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Posted By: Paramedic
Date Posted: 15 Feb 17 at 8:17am
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It could be a very late registration of a boat built from a kit. It looks like a single skin hull to me (not foam sandwich), though its hard to tell from the photos. The main builders around that time of composite hulls were Winder - which i dont think yours is - and Severn Sailboats which is possible but it doesn't look like a Severn deck, the cleat blocks are too angular though they could have been fitted later. The coaming on the inside at the back could be a giveaway but you cant really see in the photos. Does it have a builders ticket on it anywhere? If you apply for a measurment certificate that should list the builder and you will not need to get the boat remeasured.
The association badges correspond to the sort of time a 14xxx number would have been issued. There one 40 year old Plycraft hull with a 150xx number that sat in a barn unregistered and unfinished for 35 years! Looking at the photo full size the boat looks well kitted out with decent fittings and the boat looks to be solidly built. I just find it strange that they didn't cut the deck out for the bags when it was built after doing such a good job of the rest. Having totally hijacked your thread (Though a mystery boat is always interesting!) i'll say you're doing the right thing cutting the holes for bags. Round the edge off and give it a good resin coating as the halyard and sheets will wear the varnish and eventually the wood away quite quickly.
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Posted By: Noah
Date Posted: 15 Feb 17 at 8:35am
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The thwart, mainsheet 'tower' and inwhales treatment look very much like my Severn did, but they used almost exclusively Sapele for decks, so I wonder if it was supplied with the hull and interior woodwork but no deck? The UKFA Membership Sec - Ian Castle - can be contacted thru the new website and will hold a copy of the certificate, I think. Are there two holes in the fwd bulkhead, or any evidence of a chute being removed? If so, it could be a redeck... ------------- Nick D-Zero 316 |
Posted By: Josh14441
Date Posted: 15 Feb 17 at 8:57am
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Wow, Thanks everyone for helping me find out more about this boat. There is only 1 hole in the bulkhead but it does look to be in the same place that a chute would be the only thing I can think of is maybe when the previous owner had it re-decked he may not have used the spinnaker and just used the boat for casual sailing I will post some more pictures later on today.
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Posted By: Josh14441
Date Posted: 15 Feb 17 at 9:17am
MYC is its old club
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Posted By: RS400atC
Date Posted: 15 Feb 17 at 9:45am
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When it was (re-)decked, they clearly equipped it with cleat raisers for the guys, so I guess they just used bags under the deck? |
Posted By: zippyRN
Date Posted: 15 Feb 17 at 10:36am
bagged kite FBs would have, as you say, 'scooped' foredeck or holes in the deck with the bags beneath. i premuse the reference to 'chuck it' launch would be exactly that ... even though youcan do a 'pick up and chuck' launch from through deck bags , esp if the sail is in the windward bag ...
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Posted By: Paramedic
Date Posted: 15 Feb 17 at 6:13pm
| I think that that is a Severn composite that has had the deck ply replaced. The hatch at the front looks like its always been a hatch, chutes on fireballs tend to be fitted to starboard and the bow tank would have had an inspection hatch from new - therefore the hatch to starboard has always been a hatch. |
Posted By: Josh14441
Date Posted: 15 Feb 17 at 7:02pm
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Thanks, everyone I have emailed the Membership Sec asking about the certificate and will cut holes for bags this weekend. And considering these photos were taken 2 weeks ago and the progress I have made it should be done in 2 - 3 weeks. Thanks Josh
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Posted By: Josh14441
Date Posted: 20 Feb 17 at 7:32pm
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Does anyone know what size the spinnaker bag hole is as I can't find any measurements online and placement Ie distance from the edge of the cockpit and the edge of the deck Thanks
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Posted By: Paramedic
Date Posted: 20 Feb 17 at 7:49pm
| i'd buy some standard bags and make the holes to suit. |
Posted By: Josh14441
Date Posted: 20 Feb 17 at 7:56pm
| I am planning on making bags out of some old sails that have been torn up just for now and may replace with proper bags in the future but the bags are quite expensive for what they are so I'm just looking for the sizes now |
Posted By: Paramedic
Date Posted: 20 Feb 17 at 8:15pm
| try SP Boats for cheap and cheerful bags. they wont have extra pockets in but he'll do you a good deal. |
Posted By: RS400atC
Date Posted: 20 Feb 17 at 8:27pm
Quite right. The cost of the bags is mostly labour. A bit of proper mesh in the bottom might be worth it. I saw a 'ball at the show a while back, neat system of drawstring and elastic to close the bag. A look around your nearest Fireball fleet would be a couple of hours well spent IMHO. Most Fireball sailors will be only too happy to help. I suspect the size is mostly about leaving enough deck for it to be rigid enough? |
Posted By: Josh14441
Date Posted: 20 Feb 17 at 8:34pm
| Yes mainly about being rigid enough |
Posted By: Noah
Date Posted: 20 Feb 17 at 10:47pm
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Take a look at the Draycote Fireball fleet pages - e..g. http://www.draycotewater.co.uk/fleets/fireball/html/rigging_-_spinnakers_-_boats_w.html. It'll give you an idea of the size and also shows the bag closer system, which is needed to stop the kite escaping. I would echo RS's advice to visit a fleet for a good eyeball. Time and fuel well spent. Staunton Harold near Nottingham; Hayling on the south coast; Blackwater on the east coast; Draycote Water near Rugby; Poole; Paignton; Chew Valley....... Also see http://www.fireballsailing.org.uk/index.asp?selection=technical-information but be aware some of the links are broken in the migration to the new site - apologies. Finally, the bags need to let water out so mesh in the bottom or leave holes in the corners.
------------- Nick D-Zero 316 |