Columbia Coronado 25, Owenrs Manual

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SECTION 5
Page 34
5.17.2 Backstays (continued)
On insulated backstays, unless otherwise specified, the upper insulator is
located 18" down from the top swage eye, while the lower insulator is 7'6" up
from the bottom swage eye.
5.17.3 Genoa Gear
The trend in modern yacht design has been to smaller main sails and larger
jibs or "Genoas". Usually any sail that overlaps the mast is considered a
Genoa and is identified by the amount of this overlap. Thus, if the distance
from the face of the mast to the bow ("J" on the sail plan) is 10 feet and a
line 15 feet distant (LP) was drawn parallel to the headstay, then any Genoa
with a CLEW on that line would be a "1508 Genoa". What is extremely important
to realize is that these large sails can concentrate very high loads over a
very small area, hence the gear must have a high safe working load. For
example: in 25 knots of wind, a Genoa is subjected to a pressure of about 4
pounds per square foot, or ONE TON for a 500 square foot Genoa.
Since the above load could easily be transmitted to one spot at any given time,
ALL of the Genoa Gear has been designed and prepared to accept those extreme
loads. The track is thru bolted and all blocks are oversize. All other fittings
are of the best possible design and strength FOR THE JOB INTENDED. Most fitting
failures occur from improper usage, usually by trying to use a light or cheap
fitting instead of the proper factory recommended one. If loads are expected to
come close to the SAFE WORKING LOAD of the block, then the next size larger
MUST HE USED. Please remember that if a line turns back on itself, like all
halyards, spinnaker sheets, guys, and jib top sheets, then the load on that
block is almost DOUBLED.
5.17.4 Spinnaker Gear
With the trend to larger Genoas, the spinnakers also get larger and need larger
and stronger gear to handle them. As with the Genoa Gear, our Spinnaker Gear
has been designed and fabricated to meet the extreme loads that this beautiful,
but sometimes frustrating, sail can produce. While not included in the
Spinnaker Gear, the optional Reaching Strut is a necessity on boats over 30',
and could