The pictures I took of Bill demonstrating it last January show the spinnaker pole with the piston on the underside of the pole, but the owners handbook says piston UP.

Does the jib halyard wrap around the spinnaker pole PISTON itself or around the pole 'hook' - in other words, which way up does it go?(does it clip down onto the mast foot ring or 'hang' from underneath it?)

And does it matter anyway?

Stephen Godber

235/51 "Exodus"

I would say the hook is stronger than the piston. The piston could be released accidentally....!!

Having it that way has the guys upwards (with the mast up)

Paul Burton.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

Have the boat into the wind if possible.

Put a bungee cord around the furling foil and attach to the end of the pole. This stops it dragging across the deck and goes up with the pole.

Have the weaker person do the lowering with a turn around the winch, stood in the cockpit to one side. Have the stronger person stand next to the mast (not behind it) and support sidewards as it comes down.

Have the hatch shut...the goose neck gets very close to it..

Paul Burton.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

Stephen Godber

235/51 "Exodus"

"Exodus" safely recovered - wouldn't want to go through this as frequently as most of you do, though I appreciate that practice would speed things up considerably!

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Mast came down a treat - thanks Paul!

Stephen Godber

235/51 "Exodus"

Looks like you had to winch the boat on rather than float it on.

Paul Burton.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

I would agree with Paul, we use a launching rope on the back of our Jeep to let the trailer go further into the water. We then just float her up to the front and hook on. Slowly pull the trailer out, keeping the stern in line and its done.

Graham Ebb

235 / 25 Blue Jazz

At least I have another year before it comes out again!

Stephen Godber

235/51 "Exodus"

However, my trailer's guide arms are marked with black tape indicating the exact water depth required to enable the boat to just float on - right up to the buffer at the bow. I also have two small rope ties to the top of the guide arms and round conveniently placed stanchions to steady the boat in windy conditions. The only problem I have found is the "list to port" as the boat is floating, which means that the boat may come out that way too on the trailer. I will fix that next time by paying more attention to water/battery/loo/petrol tank positioning before recovery.

John Tanner

235/34 "Billy Ruffian"