Sail mods, success stories...???

[Terry]

Citigale & others who use the term "Failead" I wonder if I can get clarification on that term. After reading your posts I get the impression you are referring to those spinning wheel blocks that sit in the tracks and guide the jib sheets aft where they then wrap around the winch and then into a clip. Same for the genoa, that wheel thing that the sheet goes through on the genoa track, in both cases the wheel can be adjusted forward or aft on the rail or track. I'm not sure what all the technical sailing terms are for sailing equipment, but I always called them jib or genoa blocks. Also, an instructor in one of my Power squadron courses explained to me that a fairlead was something that was used to make a line change direction, yes I know the genoa block does just that, but I still wonder what the distinction is. Due to my mis-understanding of the term fairlead, I wasn't quite able to picture things in my mind, I was imagining a fairlead as something extra over and above the blocks, I was a bit confused and perhaps I still am. Can anyone explain things.

[craiglaforce]

You want the line to have a "fair" lead to the winch so it does not jamb. Anything that accomplishes this whether a block or a bullseye could be called a fairlead I think.

[craiglaforce]

Bill, Actually I did buy some more track and installed another 2 foot hunk just aft of the the factory jib track. A very experienced sailor sailed on my boat and commented that moving the jib block aft a bit would likely help pointing with the standard 100% jib that I had at the time. He tested the theory by taking the sheet directly to the winch (without the block). I liked the sail shape better like this at times even though it was jamming the winch, so I installed the extra track leaving a space between the 2 tracks to let the block totally leave the one track before engaging the next. It would be nicer to have it all one piece of track, but I was trying to minimize the change. I think I used existing slide rail bolts, so it was a pretty easy thing to install.

[ESPERANZA]

Craig, I plan to add some more jib track as well. I'm going to put a two foot chunk aft and outboard of the existing jib tracks. Like the ones mounted on the mac in the mac video or in the sale bro. Less chance of back winding the main in lighter air...
Dik...

[craiglaforce]

Yep, outboard a little might be an improvement. Pretty sure you will be drilling through the balsa core though, so be sure to seal up the holes.

[ESPERANZA]

Ya, kinda scares me a little, but we tried sheeting the jib from there this summer and the boat really stabilized and the sail shape was much better. Shrouds may be an issue. Winds were about 15 to 20...

[Catigale]

Fairlead is the generic term for the jib track and pulley, correct.

Sorry for jargoning....when i think about how much time i spent trying to understand all the sailing jargon i try not to use this, its great for your ego but it sure doesnt help others learn.

On the above post about extending the track, Im not an expert on the design but Im pretty sure there is no balsa core to worry about - not suggesting you dont do a good job sealing of course, but balsa rot is one thing we dont have to worry about with Macs!

Stephen

[craiglaforce]

The early models like the 97 have a balsa core deck. Later models changed to some kind of foam instead of balsa. There is no balsa at most of the fastener locations, but it starts about 2 inches away.

[Catigale]

I stand corrected on the balsa cores - the lack of which was a big plus for me when I got my 2002...

Thanks Craig