by GreenLake » Sun Aug 12, 2012 1:36 pm
Tim,
Did you just read the rigging guide, or also older posts in the "repair and improvement", "rigging" or "sails" sections of this forum?
There's been quite a bit of discussion on rigging spinnakers, including on how to make a spinnaker pole for less.
I see that you are casting around for a used spinnaker. That should cut costs a bit.
With a DSIII you are not under class rules, because the hull isn't class legal, so you are more flexible. For example, you could get a used spinnaker from some other dinghy class as long as it's roughly the same size - but anything for a boat roughly the size of the DS might be in the ballpark. (Check the measurements in the "handbook" if in doubt).
Also, if you make your own pole, you might find that aluminum extrusion is much more expensive than some other materials. As a lark, I built a pole from bamboo, coated with a bit of epoxy and given a light spiral wrap of fiberglass. If you select a suitable diameter, so the ends approximate a 1" ID tube, you can use MarineTex to attach the usual end fittings. I'm in the second or third season with mine and not looking back.
Also, I would go slow on permanently rigging all the fittings. Start with the bare minimum and see what you like or don't like about the setup.
Good luck.
~ green ~ lake ~ ~