To rig a spinnaker pole for racing, when the stick is not too heavy to be lifted and handled by two men, have at the head or outboard end a band, or grommet, with three eyes, one on top and one on each side. Put snaphooks on your guys, so that all gear can be quickly removed from the pole. Have snap-hooks on both ends of your halyard. Make your halyard fast on each side in the rigging.
Spinnakers:
If you have a forehatch, after stopping the spinnaker coil it snake-fashion right under the opening. Screw a hook to the underside of the deck, where it can be readily reached, and hook the head of the sail to it then when wanted the tack man can reach it without getting up or jumping below. It is frequently necessary in order to make a quiet move to get this sail ready without your rival knowing what you are up to.
Spinnakers:
These sails are of little or no use if the boom cannot be carried square to the length; the minute they have to be guyed forward they lose their power, and it is better to take them in and use the balloon headsail. Do not haul the tack of the sail hard down; let it light up and leave an opening between the luff and the mast. Spinnakers cut with a deep roach, so as to hang below the pole, are no good. Remember, that the spinnaker is a depressing, not a lifting, sail, as many suppose, and has a tendency to force a vessel’s head down, unless the sheet is lighted up.
Spinnaker, to shift one from side to side:
If a light pole, this can be easily and quickly done. Let go the after guy and swing the pole forward; unship the heel and run the pole aft along the deck on the side you want to set it, being sure to keep it clear until the head is abaft all sheets, etc. Have the other end of the halyard ready, let go the sail, cast off one end and snap in the other end, and hoist away. While those forward are doing this the after man can carry the guy over and pass it forward outside the rigging. Then shove the pole out right ahead, ship the heel, and haul aft the guy. By being able to shift a spinnaker quickly you can frequently manage to get away from a rival who is following close in your wake and blanketing you. It is a maneuvre that should be constantly practiced by a racing crew.
Spinnaker, to set a, when rigged with a lift:
If your pole is carried aloft, lower it down by the lift, and square with the fore and after guys. Hook the clew to sheet or outhaul, and the head to the halyard, hoisting and hauling out at the same time. When in position break out. To take in, haul the foot in first and muzzle the sail before letting go the halyard.