Bowsprit Footing

[Heli-Pilot]

After much research and thinking about your soft-traveler idea, Pelorus, all done away from the boat as I'm stuck at work in Astoria this past week, I have a plan. Bear with me as the explanation might be lengthy:

Prudence's cranze iron is of the "two hole" variety at the top portion. The aft of which is presently occupied by the pin for the jib's Profurl. The forward hole has a swiveling block used for the tack of asymmetrical spinnaker--the one that's a PITA to get to with the ACS's tack line in your teeth as you precariously go forward on the 'sprit. Thus, the ACS is flown "outside" instead of "inside" with the spinnaker halyard block being above and forward on the foremast and the Profurl's halyard reeved through a block at the foremast just below that.

But, what if I switched the arrangement; reeving the jib sheet from the top of the Profurl to the spinnaker halyard's higher block on the foremast and the spinnaker halyard to the present jib's slightly lower halyard block? Naturally, I'd then switch the pin on the Profurl to the forward hole on the cranze iron and the ACS' block to the aft. I saw a BCC 28 named 'Shanti' that has rigged a "soft traveler" which is essentially a leather wrapped, galvanized ring with a fitting so that a line/block can be attached and reeved to the block at the aft end of the cranze. This traveler then is free to slide fore and aft with the ACS' tack line attached. They're readily available by that outfit in England that sells classic hardware.

Thus, the ACS would then jibe inside the jib stay/Profurl. Couple of issues right off; is there enough wire remaining in the turn buckle of the Profurl to accommodate the extra length? I think there is; we'll see upon my return. And, the jib sheets will have to be slacked and secured on the foredeck to allow the ACS to gybe inside the fore-triangle.

Anxious to see how this might be a solution. All opinions welcome, of course.