Hello Mitch and Jay,
I've been thinking about this for a couple of days now. Three pictures would certainly be worth 3000 words here. First off I believe,Mitch, you have a Drifter, not a cruising chute, as you implied a straight luff. The sail can fly without hanks and the luff should be able to fly as straight or curved as desired, short of perfectly straight, hard on the wind. There are 2 good ways to do this. If you DO NOT have 3 halyards then disregard the 1st:
1) Flying the Drifter inside the Head stay: Install a Harken Jib halyard restrainer about 6" below the mast head exit sheaves. Run the Drifter halyard down, inside this restrainer. On the bowsprit install a method to attach the tack of the Drifter. For many years, ( To the present), I have simply tied a 7/16" line around the sprit, just aft of the Head stay. The loop of rope should allow the Tack to fly about 12" above the sprit. You could also install a permanent SS eye right to the sprit. To fly, simply attach the Tack of the sail. Attach the Head and hoist, then sheet. This method will allow you to tack the Drifter just like any head sail. BUT! the furled sail sheets will be in the way unless you corral them and tie then down tight against the furled sail, down low.
2) The better way. Using a Spinnaker halyard on a spinnaker bale. Install a SS eye to the very front of the bow cap. Mine is welded on but big, threaded, screws should be strong enough. Tack the sail to the SS eye, using a block on the eye, and attach the spinnaker halyard to the head. Hoist and sheet. This method does not require corralling the jib sheets. It also does not allow a normal tacking procedure. It will require a gybe procedure. That is, passing the sail around to the outside of the Headstay.
NOTES; A snuffer, or sock, can make this whole operation easier. But it is a "Jekyll and Hyde" kind of thing. A sock takes about 12" to 18" of distance at the Head. You may not be able to add a sock if you are using method #1 because there may not be enough distance between Tack and Head to get a tighter luff. If ordering a new sail and you want a sock then be sure to mention that fact and insist on a shorter Luff for the sail. Also note that a 1.5 ounce sail and a sock will be a very large sail bag - though not heavy.
I had my Harken Halyard restrainer modified by a welder. to help prevent chafe on the lower supports. I had him add some material to those lower supports to make them bigger so as to create a bigger radius. I have used method #1 for literally thousands of miles, using a 3/8" halyard. I am using method #2 more now.
The picture in the upper left shows Saraband flying a 3/4oz Drifter using Method #1.
I hope this excessive verbiage has been of some help. Feel free to ask for any clarification.
Good Luck, Dave
