Footropes on Spritsail Yard

[ah100m]

Would footropes be rigged on a spritsail yard even though (USS Constitution) the spritsail never carried a sail?  Also, why do some rigging plans call for both port and starboard footropes on the jib boom and flying jib boom?  Seems redundant.

[JerseyCity Frankie]

constitution has footropes on her spritsail yard today. Brig Niagara does not.

footropes on the Jibboom or Bowsprit need to be in pairs since the crew will need access to both the port and Starboard sides of the spars during any kind of maintenance. And when furling the headsails, after the hailyards are let go the canvas will spill to the leeward side of the headrig and that big bundle of canvas will blanket the footropes on the side it comes down on so you need port and Starboard footropes to allow the crew to get out there and furl while standing on the windward footropes. 

[ah100m]

OK, makes sense for the jib boom and flying jib boom.  But the spritsail yard...?

[JerseyCity Frankie]

Two  adjacent footropes on a tiny spar? Maybe not for a narrow Jibboom on a small vessel. But here’s a shot I just saw today on social media, taken on Bluenose II, that illustrates the need for port and Starboard footropes in most circumstances on headrigs. Note where the crewpersons feet are located then imagine someone on the opposite side trying to use the footrope she’s using. Possible maybe but extreamly uncomfortable. 

[ah100m]

Thanks - good photo.  Still waiting for opinions on the footropes on the spritsail yard with no sail.

[ah100m]

Bump

[davyboy]

I would say yes.

The Spritsail yard would certainly have at least standing lifts and was also used as a lead (via thimbles or eyebolts) for the Jibboom and flying Jibboom guys. Has to be safe access for any repair/maintenance req'd on those  whether or not a sail is bent. Just my opinion of course.

 

Dave 

 

[ah100m]

OK, makes sense.  Thanks