The Arch - Hunter 50 Operator's Manual

— the lazy sheet — should also be attached to the clew
of the spinnaker , led forward in front of the headstay,
and then back on the other side of the boat — outside
the shrouds and lifelines — to another turning block
positioned just forward of the stern pulpit. Then take that
sheet and lead it to a winch, with the slack in the sheet.
Now you are ready to hoist the spinnaker. Start by
heading off to a square run. Leave the mainsail fully
out during the hoisting procedure as it will blanket
the spinnaker and keep it from filling until you are
ready for it to be set. A good place to raise the sail
is from the leeward side, just ahead of the boom.
Once it is fully hoisted, slowly head up to your desired
course and pull in the sheet until the sail sets. Make
sure you have at least two turns of the sheet around the
winch.
Now you are off and sailing with your cruising spinnaker.

12.9 The Arch

As is customary on Hunters, the traveler is overhead, on
a stainless-steel arch, to keep the cockpit clear of the
obstruction and the boom clear of your head. The helms-
man can easily adjust the mainsheet traveler and the jib
sheets, although the mainsheet itself is at the companion-
way as illustrated above. The setup allows short handed
sailing when there are only a couple of people in the
cockpit or with an autopilot doing the steering.
For instructions on folding the arch for transport or ser-
vice please follow the following instructions:
Arch installation notes and tool list:
Notes: Read all of the installation instructions before begin-
ning.
• This job requires two people, it is important that the
arch be supported until firmly attached to the deck.
• To avoid injury during the installation process, orient
the arch prior to beginning the installation.
• Remember to check all arch nuts bolts after the initial
seatrial and tighten as necessary.
Tool List for arch installation:
• Drill and 3/8" drill bit, to clear sealant from holes.
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 6" extension
• 9/16" deep and regular socket.
Hunter 50 • Sails and Rigging
• 9/16" wrench
• Phillips head screwdriver (large: P4)
• Caulk gun, and sealant (3M-5200)
• 'Never Seize" bolt lube
• Razor knife
• wire strippers / crimps
• rags, and acetone, or lacquer thinner for clean-up.
Struts (not fitted to all models or mast options)
H50 B&R Rig With Struts Description
The B&R rig, utilized on the Hunter 50, eliminates the
need for a backstay to allow for a more efficient mainsail
shape. Fixed backstays are commonly being designed
out of today's performance-oriented boats to allow the
mainsail to incorporate a full roach design - a more
aerodynamic shape both for racing and cruising perfor-
mance.
To accomplish this, the B&R rig has 30 degree swept
spreaders, creating 120 degrees between each rigging
point. This tri-pod arrangement has excellent strength
for sailboat rigs, and has been used for years to support
huge radio towers.
Additional support is given to the B&R rig (and is unique
to it) with the addition of reverse diagonal rigging. For
example, the diagonals that you see beginning by the
top of the mast strut, ending at the tip of the spreader,
supports and stabilizes the upper section of the mast as
it creates a triangle with the upper shroud.
The B&R rig is designed to be pre-bent to further add
rigidity to the mast section and eliminate the need for
adjustable rigging (like backstay adjusters). This design
should prove more reliable than a rig with adjustable
backstays or runners, as there is less chance for error.
The large main, small jib, sail plan on the 50 also elimi-
nates the need for large overlapping headsails (genoas),
as the driving power comes from the much improved
shape and size of the mainsail. This offers an easier
tacking small jib, creating good performance and more
comfortable sailing as it is less work for the crew.
As the large main is creating additional mainsheet and
leach loading, Hunter has included a cockpit arch whereby
the mainsheet and leech loads are directed to the strong
part of the boom (the out-board end) and is located at the
heaviest loading point of the mainsail. The cockpit arch
serves additional safety and comfort functions as hand-
holds and cockpit canvas attachment points.
12.4