Gennaker halyards

In this category, you'll find ropes that are spot on for use as a gennaker halyard.

The term 'gennaker' is a portmanteau of 'genoa' and 'spinnaker', which pretty much nails the description of this sail: it's a triangular foresail that's flown with free leeches in front of the forestay (like the spinnaker). However, the shape of the gennaker is asymmetric and is more akin to a very bellyful genoa.

The gennaker halyard is used to hoist or stow the gennaker. It's attached at the head of the sail and runs from there to a block above the forestay fitting on the mast, and then down along or inside the mast. You can also lead the halyard back to the cockpit for easier handling.

When hoisting or stowing the gennaker, it's a good shout to go on a beam reach. Here, the gennaker can be hoisted or stowed quite easily in the lee of the headsail and mainsail. Since the gennaker fills more slowly in the wind shadow, it's easier to hoist the gennaker halyard. The same goes for stowing it: in this configuration, there's less force on the gennaker, so it can be stowed in a controlled manner. This task is even easier when using a snuffer or a furling gennaker.

The gennaker has two other attachment points on the leech. The two gennaker sheets are shackled at the clew, and at the tack, you ideally want to have a control line attached.