Progress in the Hurricane 5.9SX: Building on a Strong Second Season

An update from Spinlock's Ash Holmes 

This year marks our second season racing the Hurricane 5.9SX, with our sights firmly set on the National Championships in July. Since transitioning into the class, we’ve focused on steady progression, identifying the key factors that make the greatest difference around the racecourse while remaining open to experimenting with new techniques and setups.

This focus has led to noticeable improvements in our club racing results, where we regularly race in a strong handicap fleet that includes Shadow X catamarans. Racing in a handicap fleet brings a different kind of challenge: you're not racing boat-for-boat, but against the clock. That means there's no easing off once you're in front—you push hard from start to finish, constantly seeking gains. In contrast, class racing allows more strategic throttle control; once you're comfortably ahead, you can afford to sail more conservatively and protect your position.

The real confirmation of our progress, however, came at our first Hurricane National Championships, where we were proud to achieve three podium finishes and an overall 5th place—a result that exceeded our expectations and validated the work we've put in.

A key element of our performance setup on the Hurricane 5.9SX has been the use of Spinlock PXR Cam Cleats, which provide reliable holding power and—crucially—easy release under load, even from a distance. This is particularly beneficial when trapezing, where quick adjustments and smooth operation from several feet away are essential.

We use PXRs in a few critical control systems:

We’ve installed two PXR0205/VP Vertical Pivot cleats directly on the mast. These handle a 16:1 purchase system that’s led out to the crew via a continuous take-up system routed under the trampoline. This setup allows for precise, powerful Cunningham adjustment while keeping the tramp layout clean and efficient.

For our 9:1 mainsheet system, we rely on the PXR0810/T Base cleat. Its smooth release, even under high load, means the helm can adjust or dump the mainsheet confidently while fully out on the trapeze.

We run a PXR0205/SW Swivel Base cleat as part of our ‘Automatic Spinnaker Halyard’ system. When the spinnaker is hoisted, the halyard cleats automatically. During the drop, a trip line integrated with the retrieval system opens the cleat automatically to release the halyard, simplifying what is often one of the more high-pressure moments of a race.

These cleats have been a key part of our performance gains, giving us more control, faster responses, and greater confidence in manoeuvres—especially in breezy or high-load conditions. 

Images by Tom Wildy