Hi everyone- Quick question on self tacking jib

[sitearch]

Hi all,

It is almost Spring and we can't wait up here in Alaska to get sailing again. With a record snowfall here in Anchorage of more than 10 feet --so far and really low temps -20 to -40 it has been a Winter to forget about. I have a quick question:

Why are some self tacking jibs configured with a sprit of some kind and some are configured without any sprit. The way I see it they can both be self tacking. The only advantage I see to the sprit or small boom is to keep the jib formed.

I have attached two pictures for reference. The first is the self tacking jib using a small sprit or boom. It is set up on a roller furling rig as well. The second picture is a typical jib without one.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Happy sailing.

Bob Clayton

First Attempt ( #199 Core Sound )

Eagle River Alaska

[Charlie Jones]

Second pic isn't a self tacker- it's a regular jib, with two sheets which have to be switched as the boat tacks. It's actually somewhat of a lapper. True self tacking jibs almost never lap past the mast.

[sitearch]

Oh I thought I would add one more photo that really looks like what I am looking at regarding the self tacking jib for my coresound. This is using a sprit or boom on the jib. I see a line from the roller fuler along the sprit and I see a line from the end of the sprit to either side of the cockpit and I see a line from the jib to the end of the sprit alowing it to be furled. I just don't see why the sprit?

Just thought I would add this picture--the first picture on the left. Oddly the boat on the left was built long after my boat but looks very similar to my little boat.

I have also added a picture of my boat--the one on the right. Some of you will remember my little First Attempt with the cuddy I built for her. I sail with the main in the third step and without the mizzen at all.

Thanks for your help to understand the difference in the self tacking jib setup.

Bob

Eagle River Alaska

[sitearch]

Yes Tahani, but take a look at the picture of Graham's new Mosquito which has self tacking jibs. There is no sprit. This was just a picture I could find to show the difference. I realize that the jib cannot overlap.

So why the sprit?

Bob

[Peter HK]

Bob

The reason for the boomed jib (or in the case of your photo a club foot jib) is that they can be self tending.

A standard self tacking jib needs a track across the boat which is, ideally, curved up at the ends so that it sits in a stable fashion until tacking. When easing the sheet the same problems with awful sail shape occurs as with any other jib. A club foot jib like the photo is attached to the bow of the boat at a point back from the tack position of the jib. This makes the jib self vanging and keeps sail shape when eased and means sheet tension is low. A simple centre sheet will work.

When sailing alone a club footed jib doesn't need to be touched when tacking and only needs a simple centre sheet rather than a track with sheets led either side. When easing to a reach or run the club foot jib has a better shape.

The club foot is a nice arrangement when you don't want to fuss around with jib sheet. Another nice feature is when the sheet is fired it just weathercocks and doesn't flog.

Cheers

Peter HK

[Charlie Jones]

a sail rigged with a sprit is self vanging also- the foot can't rise when sheets are eased. So you get better sail shape off the wind.

But you give up a tad of control when close hauled with a jib like that. Also, as I said, they can't overlap, so no slot.

[sitearch]

Thanks Peter and everyone. I will try the balanced boom jib setup like on the photo. It seems relatively simple to rig up and I think I will go ahead and add a roller furler to it to make reefing easier. I like the idea of keeping the sail shape and the idea of not having to fuss with the sheet. I love lazy sailing. I just thought you could have a jib that didn't overlap without a boom that was self tacking. I see that I could but I would need a jib track.

Thanks again.

Happy sailing.

Bob Clayton

Eagle River Alaska

[Hirilonde]

............. and I think I will go ahead and add a roller furler to it to make reefing easier.

You mean to make furling easier? Roller reefing is not very effective unless the sail is made for it and even then the amount you can reduce and still keep a good shape is limited. I have a soft luff (slightly padded luff) on my Renegade 135% that allows me to reef it to app. 100% and keep a reasonable shape. This is nice for lazy cruising. I can do this along with a double reef in the main and sail quite comfortably, (even my wife thinks so) in 25 kts.. Anyway, I think you meant furl.

[Peter HK]

Just a couple of points. I'd have a few attachment points under the club foot so you can find the best position with respect to twist. Also If you have a roller furler then, when you ease the sheet and furl, the club foot will only have tension at the tack point and will tend to lift while the clew end will press down onto the deck. It might be good to prepare a small cradle to hold it. As I said earlier when you release the sheet the club foot jib will weather cock so you may not need that roller furler.

Cheers

Peter HK