SELF TENDING JIB FOR SKERRY

It has been tricky to deal with the jib sheets, main sheet plus the tiller. I've tried tying the Jib sheets to the oarlocks with some success but the tacking is slow. I have not dared go out in any sort of strong wind with the jib up.

One of the guys at the boat club had noticed my jib and when I mentioned that it was tricky to handle it he showed me a boat that had just joined the club. It has a self tending jib.

The self tending jib setup is quite simple. First his jib is not large and does not go beyond the mast. He has a traveler set up on a track in front of the mast with a little sliding block that goes from right to left freely.

The jib has a single sheet. This line comes from the corner of the jib (the Clew), passes through the little block on the traveller, then goes back to a hole just behind the forestay. Its clearly visible on the photo. There is a little block to guide the line.

After passing into the hole, the line is routed towards the back, under the foredeck, to a cleat. This cleat is on the lower left of the photo. There is a line sort of dangling from it. You can barely see a hole on top of it from which the jib sheet come through and gets cleated.

When the boat tacks the jib changes sides and the little traveller slides over. There is no need to touch anything. Once the boat is on its new tack, it is then possible to tighten or loosen the jib to set it better.

On the Skerry, It would be an easy set up to tie a line from side to side on the top of the bulkhead supports. This is just in front of the mast. This line could easily have a small pulley. The jib sheet would then go from the jib to the pulley/rope, no need for a traveller, then the line is routed back to the front and from there back to the middle seat where it would be cleated or tied.

Back to the Jib page.

Links to the [Skerry hull part 1] [hull part 2] [Making the mast] [rudder and centreboard] [sail] [oars]
[cleats] [ daggerboard well and mast step ]

emails: Christine

This web site reflects my personal ideas and doesn't represent anyone else's point of view.