AS SEEN ON JOYRIDER TV
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Rolling (Furling) Spinnaker — Complete Parts List & How-to
Everything I used to fit a rolling spinnaker to a beach cat (Hobie/Nacra/Tornado). Click items to buy; follow the steps to assemble.
▶ Watch the videoBuilt & tested by JOYRIDER TV
Kit List (click to open)
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Spinnaker (rolling/furling cut)Whirlwind Sails →Contact Chip at Whirlwind Sails
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Continuous-line FurlerAllen →Furling drum for the tack
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Top SwivelAllen →Prevents halyard twist while furling
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20 mm Plain Bearing BlockAllen →Furling line take-away
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30 mm Block (Halyard)Allen →Mast/bridle halyard lead
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Stainless Hooks ×2Allen →Pole hold-up + furling line takeaway
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45 mm Autoratchet Blocks ×2 (Sheets)Allen →Self-ratcheting downwind sheeting
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Forged Eyestraps ×3Allen →Mounting for sheet blocks & pole
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Cam Cleat + Mega Pro LeadAllen →For continuous furling line
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Spinnaker Pole Mount (boat)Murrays →Bow cross-beam bracket
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Spinnaker Pole (3.20 m)OEM — Hobie or Nacra
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Halyard — 5 mm × 13.5 mMarlow Excel Racing →Low-stretch control line
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Sheets — 8 mm × 14 mMarlow Marstron Plus →Soft hand, good grip
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Furling Line — 5 mm × 10 mMarlow Excel Control →Continuous line for furler
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Mast Strops & Pole Bending Line — 4 mm × 5 mMarlow Excel Racing →Dyneema/low-stretch
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Pole Bridles — 3 mm × 5 mMarlow D12 78 →High-modulus for pole guys
Tip: mount hardware with marine-grade fasteners + backing washers. Bed fittings with polysulfide or butyl where appropriate.
Assembly — Updated Method
- Drop mast or tip the boat. Mount an eyestrap 50 cm from the top of the mast. Drill holes in the back of the mast (into the track but as far forward as possible) 108 cm from the top. Tricky bit: thread a line around the mast. Attach the upper line and pass it between the “around-mast” line and the mast, then attach the 30 mm block.
- Thread the halyard and tie off at the bottom. Step the mast back up.
- Splice lines for the pole bridles and the endless furler (be sure to put the 20 mm block on the endless-furler line). For splicing info see this video. Joyrider splicing guide coming soon!
- Attach the pole to the front beam. Loosely elevate the pole using the bending line. Attach pole bridles. Attach the endless furler at the pole tip.
- Rig tension & pole bend. Put on forestay/rig tension. Tension the pole bending line so the pole has a slight bend. Measure from the top of the furler to the halyard block above the hounds — this distance should be 20 cm longer than the spinnaker luff. Adjust pole bridles to achieve this (loosen the pole bending line first if adjusting).
- Attach sail & hoist. Tie spinnaker sheets with a lark’s head. Attach tack and head; hoist the spinnaker. Apply as much halyard tension as possible and secure on the main halyard cleat.
- Lead sheets & furling line. Thread sheets through the blocks and lead them to the take-up shock cord. Route the furling line down the centre of the boat; hook the elastic into the aft tramp lacing.
- Roll the spinnaker. Keep a touch of sheet tension while furling for a tight, even roll.
- Go sailing — give it the beans!
For the full walkthrough and on-water demo, watch the video above. Boat layouts vary slightly (Hobie/Nacra/Tornado), but the principles are the same.
Safety: test in moderate wind first, practise furls/gybes, and wear impact vests & helmets if you’re sending it. 🤙