Spinnaker takedown onboard the J Class Yacht Hanuman

5 minute drill for a spinnaker take-down on a J Boat off of Newport Rhode Island this fall. Wind was 15-20knots from SW. Boatspeed was 12.5knots. Rain squalls threatened and spit but never drenched us. Temperature was 62 F. Dolphins danced off our bows briefly (not in this video).
We were practicing maneuvers and testing sails onboard the J Class Yacht Hanuman. This was not a race and not even a practice session for a race but simply a sail check. The crew onboard comprised of good sailors but not very many of the regular crew. Several new sails had just been delivered and most of the crew was involved in making sure they fit properly and that the boat was set up properly to handle them.
More info on the boat here y.co/yacht/hanuman
J Class Yachts were sailed before World War Two but have seen a resurgence as expressions of the beauty of sail. That said they are huge and must be handled carefully witness the way the bowman is whipped around like a rag doll when he release the A2 spinnaker tack.

[@DownontheCape]

This a beautifully orchestrated spinnaker takedown. The sailmaster clearly very much in control of his crew, with everyone fully aware of their individual roles. An exhilarating video that puts you right there on the foredeck of one of the most beautiful and powerful yachts ever conceived.

[@2Phast4Rocket]

I love the old school match racing compare to the newer foiling boat that relies on mechanical hydraulics and rigid sails. In the older traditional boat, the coordination of the crew makes a big difference especially when the performances of the boats are closely matched.

[@rikirk66]

Can't agree more. There's no seamanship in modern racing just a tv show for sponsors. Look at the course, the tactics, the set of skills, the rules. It's the end of an era. Plus the wind range for those ugly birds. I can see it for ocean racing (Paul Ricard?), but definitely a killer of the sport of sailing for future generations (see most new Olympic classes).

[@kmk3003]

Popping the POLE was always a wild ride --- This is Real Sailboat Racing --Real Seamanship... Not sitting in a pit riding a Bike and close or broad Reaching

[@sloan1sh]

The J class does not use railings. The boat is followed by a chase boat when sailing as picking someone up who falls overboard is not practical on a J.

[@zachstine3468]

Nick, the short pole that was lashed to the shroud is a reaching strut. When the spinnaker pole is out near the forestay, the small angle between the guy and spin pole puts the pole in compression and only a small component of force to windward. The reaching strut helps hold the guy out farther giving it a better angle to work against the spinnaker pole.

[@danielscott4514]

+Zach Stine Sometimes also called a Jockey Pole I believe - I'm sure there are other names out there for them too.

[@DutchKC9UOD]

Fricking awesome! Great work

[@christianbenzinger770]

Very impressiv! Good Work.

[@nicholasinsa]

Bowman should have climbed up and sat on the pole. It is the right move if done correctly. Before climbing you "set" the pole meaning: crank up on the topping-lift and fore-guy. We was clipped onto the foreguy/downhaul - so generally you are not going anywhere. Your best friend should be the guy on the topping lift.

[@paultaylor701]

Who is the guy that climbs the rigging? Nutter or what? No wonder they need a crew of 30, I assume no more than 10 or 12 make it back!

[@herschelmobley4280]

Captain Bly would have been right at home! Really crazy process. Then lower at speed -who cares that it's going overboard. I've crewed on a disorganized boat. Not much fun.

[@dropandtuck]

jonno!!! cranking, its only like a force four or less. we need to get a surf on next winter dude. love Cunningham

[@sloan1sh]

Chase boat follows this J class boat to pick up anyone who falls off. Sailors treat the use of a PFD as a personal choice and do not like people telling them what to do. If you were on board you would not be mocked for wearing a PFD.

[@mattstrand3779]

This is pretty neat... Things are a little easier on the J/29, but I have enough trouble coordinating a crew of 7 to get anything right - couldn't imagine managing a crew this size! All pros or do you have difficulty gathering them all up? How often does a J Class need new sails? Good luck to you and the crew.

[@peterdepeer]

Being Dutch, i love sailing, My favourite boats are the Australian 18' skiff, and Catamaran Tornado, but god the J class is pure sex. Would do anything to be part of a crew. I hope you guys realize how lucky you all are!!

[@GermanGreetings]

...another scale :) Wow !

[@ablejack3]

little bit of shrimpin' but very game and able bowmen.

[@2011Matz]

Nice work.

[@wimhoogstad7729]

They do not know how dangerous this. Without sea railing, Without sea lines, Without sea lifejacket.

[@emptiester]

Pfffffft

[@andypughtube]

Yeah, someone on the pole is pretty normal on the big boats. It doesn't have to be particularly hairy, though. You can get up ahead of time on a halyard. Look at the video "Welcome to Yorkshire perform a spinnaker peel during Clipper Race" for an example.

[@sloan1sh]

He actually got a nasty bang on the head. Due to the huge loads there is no way to release the shackle from a distance. Sailors are used to this sort of stuff and it's why the sport deserves respect. Tons and Tons of pressure and life and death maneuvers are par for the course.

[@fred8174]

Scary!!

[@javiercorreapr9977]

Strong and agile guy. 2:09 Missed him wearing gloves, life vest and a helmet ! That is a risky operation releasing the spinnaker…🙏🏼

[@kirillkotoranta1943]

Spinnaker is a headache, even if everything goes right

[@leonardocastromascarenhas573]

Parabens. Congratulations

[@PeteGriffiths_petegrif]

Holy crap.

[@3263927]

that's cool!

[@DinoAlberini]

It's more in the class spirit, what makes it fun sailing. It doesn't have a canting keel either.

[@one4theroad15]

I reckon there's a 50% time save available in that routine.....

[@wailinburnin]

So, like, um, this is insane.

[@captkirkconnell]

nice boat

[@KenDavies-qv3fs]

It was hard enough to do it on our 8m 'Amita', can't think of doing it on a 'J '

[@Jim-ei2iv]

Hilarious to see a J class yacht with modern electronic instruments.

[@TiffMcGiff]

You must of just emerged from a great slumber. Welcome back.

[@DinoAlberini]

Right, your comparison is "better", anyhow, if you have some footage of you being on a sailboat showing us how it's done, I'd be glad to learn from you.

[@derekhieb7458]

Notice the winch handle is missing from the sausage bag tie where it got stashed, I'm betting it went down the hatch with the spinn.

[@grimesy131]

pure elegance. love it. i sail a fireball..... but i think id trade it for one of these. haha

[@olives4887]

Then you'd have to pay a bit more in moorage fees.

[@abbarr]

Pole up!

[@unclewilly2]

2:11 !! Wtf.. ! :O

[@DinoAlberini]

I can't find any of your sailing videos. Have you ever been on a boat?

[@Aden101]

@BoredOfBills - It's a drill. You're supposed to go slow and communicate when handling gear of this size. Hopefully Hanuman will show up in Cowes next year for the big J-class showdown in July. I know I'll be there do to some J-classin.

[@sergiomattos9492]

BRAVOOO

[@hosoiarchives4858]

Them are huge

[@poly_hexamethyl]

God grant me the good fortune, To not be thrown into the ocean. Though monkey I must sometimes be, And climb the shrouds to set the spinnaker free. And work on deck without a PFD. There's no stanchion or rail to save my hide And stop me sliding over the side When the helmsman does a Chinese gybe!

[@goethe528]

Is this the way to take a spinnaker down on a boat that size? Why do the pull the tack back on bord, when they first realeased it? would it not be easier to realease the tack an pull the clew on the deck? would not affect the jib that much. thank for sharing!

[@cartwright420able]

just send aussie out to the end of the pole, no big deal if you lose one of them

[@one4theroad15]

HAHAHA 👍🤣🤣🤣

[@emptiester]

Well sure. Everything looks easy when you know what youre doing. Seriously though, pretty clear its not quite ready for prime time having watched the whole vid. Cool session!

[@hoangtien1334]

Ok các ban thật tuyệt voi cam on các ban chức các ban một ngay thật đẹp

[@jlfelber1]

Looks like fun! Is it really standard procedure to have someone climb up to the pole? I would think that in rough water it would be too easy to be thrown into the water.

[@ethanmoore1246]

I believe you attach yourself to the rope with a simple harness. Not sure though, I see people doing it on boats such as the volvo ocean 65s, and the clippers

[@eike64]

yes, he locked himself. see movie.

[@moritzimendorffer4048]

eike64 Why dont you use a trip line ?

[@sloan1sh]

Because the loads are to high for a trip line to work. You have to spike it. That's why the bow man is the toughest sumbitch on the boat.

[@bartovergaauw]

dude, some people customize snap shackles with a thin rope drilled in them, so you can trip them from a distance

[@sloan1sh]

The loads are too high for a trip line to work. You have to spike it. That's why the bow man is the toughest sumbitch on the boat.

[@BlueWaterTeno]

On the "Spike" the pole hit the point-man pretty hard in the face. Perhaps more foreguy would have prevented that.

[@brucewalters4121]

I wonder how long it took the sailmaker to sew that jib ? Seems like about 17 kms of stitching in some pretty hefty sailcloth.

[@Megaptera2007]

As the man said, I'm a bit surprised by the somewhat sloppy crew work. Perhaps a new and/or guest crew? You always bone up the topping lift and foreguy before the bowman goes up to the pole end. Just normal. Bruises always result if not. Hey, ho, though. Nice video.

[@damienbocan7318]

Yeah video description says that it’s not the regular crew

[@rbore176]

Couldn't you douse the spinnaker by easing the spinnaker halyard, leaving the tip completely free, and having the guy still in the pole. That way you can douse the spinnaker completely and still have the ability to tack a gib (the whole spinnaker set stands out of the rest of the sails and the stays)

[@ajackattack3]

If I were to go out to spike it I would have had 2 titanium clips but would have preferred a hollywood take down instead. Did it going faster and in mor wind on a whitbread 80 and worked like a charm.

[@gaffrigged22]

PS Having to have someone climb out to the end of the pole to trip it is not right. See how he almost got flipped off? There are huge forces out there. What if he ended up hitting the boat, or burning/losing a finger and had to let go...add shock and unconsciousness to the "drill" and you have a tragedy. Watch what he does when he gets back on deck.

[@scottmccullough8030]

safety question: those overalls everyone is wearing, can you swim at all in them? They look like they would pull you down badly and be hard to take off in the water.

[@sloan1sh]

Good point. It was cold that day and no one wants a wet ass. If you fell overboard you would take them off asap. Also there was a safety boat following. It wouldn't have been a bad idea to have people wear those auto inflating life preservers but back when this video was made they were not as popular as they are now.

[@peteno6]

This is exhilarating and spectacular …as an aged sailor and now cruising have to say the mundane mantra of being tied on when on deck ????…no evidence of that …complicates flexibility and agility????

[@simonm9503]

Did that dude on the pole break his nose!?

[@sloan1sh]

No be he got seriously rattled

[@nncortes]

What is the small pole for?

[@sloan1sh]

It is to improve the angle from the back of the boat to the front of the pole. It also keeps the lines off of the stays that hold the mast up. These are carbon stays and cannot handle that sort of friction. The loads are really high so you need this small pole. It is called a reaching strut.

[@jamesgarfield9592]

Just me, or did that seem incredibly dangerous?😳

[@christianfournier6862]

It is ! Especially for the number one who escalates the rigging to release the spinnaker. Good thing that there is a chase boat, just in case. Hat off to the skill of this guy. __ .

[@andyvan5692]

why is there no Guard rail?, or life jackets/Harnesses worn, just asking for a man overboard!!, probbably don't have insurance, either, as if they saw this, be uninsurable instantly.

[@TyphoonVstrom]

I think a float drop in behind the leech of the headsail would be much easier to manage on such a large boat, but that's just me.

[@sloan1sh]

On this boat there is someone called a crew boss. He calls the shots and is VERY experienced.

[@7car7]

@elfpix Got to be kidding. A condom for this sail would be larger sail area than a 70 footers full chute! he he.

[@santiagoberlanga6290]

Pedazo velamen...

[@A1r5oftM4n]

1:41 WTF ahaha

[@stefan2292]

Too much palaver, too much 'chute in the water. Plus I'd hate to be the guy who has to go down and pack that sail.

[@gaffrigged22]

Considering the conditions- boat speed 12.5 kts, sailing downwind with the spinnaker, 6 minute take down, a boat with no life lines and a small toe rail....should a crew member go overboard, it would be a long time before they could be recovered, if they were found. Look at the crew, do you see anyone on the foredeck wearing a flotation device? Stupid sailors.

[@sloan1sh]

The spinnaker on this boat is WAY to big to be able to use a spinnaker sock aka condom.

[@andreaspaul9138]

Без рэлингов, без спасательных желетов, не пристёгнутые. Они не ценят свои жизни...

[@loosecanon9109]

not very well done must of had half of the crew on the bow.

[@sloan1sh]

Actually under manned. They normally sail with many many more (35 I see from another comment).

[@philipsmith1041]

Lots of shouting and not much coordination. Presume this was a training exercise required when the squall was incoming. I used to race maxis and we spent a lot of time at the begining of each season going over drills and training and roles. Who was trimming, who was helming, who was coordinating. On one boat we even had different coordinators for the different sails.

[@sapiossapios7138]

NO life jacket whatsoever... for me is ok

[@warjacare]

Pretty dangerous boat. Where is the railing....Or is the man falling overboard picked up by a following motorboat...Even the Somali Navy uses railings.

[@089sailboot1]

warjacare haha a railing on a j-class?!? This is not 50+ sailing

[@SyphenHouse]

warjacare Bahaha sure. Let's add railings to Lasers and Stars too!!

[@PlattJohnson]

+warjacare - it is the way the boat was when designed back in the 1930s. This is a inshore race boat and the lifelines would interfere with sail handling and cause extra windage sapping speed. Yes - the boat behind it is for safety, spare parts and for the coach. It is pretty common to have one of these behind these large powerful boats. Think of it like a horse - no seat belts there either.

[@kunstmol]

unacceptable danger level.

[@Theflowoflove]

+Jake : Well said.

[@BoredOfBills]

Idiots - could (and should) have been done tidily (without shouting) and in half the time with an English crew. Watch again and you'll see the luff and loss of wind (unforgivable if actually racing).

[@sloan1sh]

This wasn't even a practice sail. It was a sail check with a pick up crew. Pf course in Newport a pick up crew will comprise of several very experienced sailors. That said the goal was to not rip the sail and that was accomplished.

[@krzysztoft5726]

Żenada!

[@elfpix]

But where's the condom?????

[@SomersErik]

and the socks a pretty gay as well :-)

[@elfpix]

Where's the condom, guys?