Asymmetric Sprits
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Asymmetric Sprits The popularity of asymmetric spinnakers leaves many boat owners in a quandary on how to add a bow sprit, whether as a fixed assembly or as a deployable sprit. GMT Composites addresses this with a range of solutions. Which system you select depends on the rig size and layout of your boat, your personal taste, the type of sailing you do and the conditions you face, both at sea and in port. While there are inexpensive “kits” on the market, GMT believes any sprit installation should be individually engineered and ➊ ➋ This 95' Nelson & Marek designed carefully built. The stresses in these sprit systems are high, and failure should not be tolerated. In addition, a sprit is a highly visible piece of equipment, so it merits the finer finish that all GMT composite sprits share. Each bow sprit should be different but, with GMT, all share the advantages of carbon composites plus our knowledge and skill in making them better. We work with each owner on a custombasis, engineer their sprit, build it and work with their boatyard or boat builder to perfect the installation. megayacht does performance chartering and racing in the Caribbean. Carring an asymmetric spinnaker improved racing performance and permitted her limited professional crew to set the larger downwind sail even when charter guests could not be relied upon for sail handling. ➌ Carbon composite structures need not be tubular. We can engineer and build streamlined fixed bow sprits which complement in shape and color a yacht’s overall aesthetics. Demountable sprit ➍➎➏ We built this simple and effective demountable sprit for a Swan 47. A midpole brace attaches to the bow anchor roller; the inboard end can be screwed down using a flush socket in the foredeck. ➍ ● Tube-launched sprit ➐ When space below permits, an internal system is clean and attractive. And this keeps the sprit out of the way when it’s not in use.

Asymmetric Sprits On-deck deployment ➊➋ These two J/44’s needed an on-deck sprit that remains clear not only of their headstay and furling system but also does not block the forehatch. ➌ The pole’s forward end slides through a Delrin sleeve inside a stainless ring secured to the stemhead fitting. ➍ Both owners also wanted to be able to continue to use their symmetric chutes and mast-ended poles. ➎ When the pole is deployed, the after end secures with a simple quick-release pin, a manual and nearly foolproof system. A GMT Composites sprit is a custom product, designed, engineered and built...