BWY's "Big Jib" and Rolly Tasker Lite Skin sails mod review

[Zarya]

Excellent review.
I have a 93 26S and I am thinking of doing something similar but with synthetic (dyneema) rigging.
Couple of questions:

1. did you move the spreaders up the mast as well? if so how far and did you extend the length as well?
2. would you go with a masthead rig or stay with the suggested 26' forestay connection

I am still in the planning stages so I'd appreciate any insight to others that have converted to a larger jib.
I plan on getting a custom jib cut from Precision Sails as they did a great job on our asym spinnaker.

[Stickinthemud57]

Before I answer, I will ask why you are considering switching rigging to Dyneema. From my understanding it can be a little finicky due to its tendency to contract in hot weather and expand in cold. I see it happen with my lifelines, and I can't help but think it could complicate getting the rigging tuned and stay that way.

I did move the spreaders up the mast, and they are rigid-mounted as opposed to the original hinged type. The Big Jib forestay attaches about one foot from the top of the mast, thus becomes a quasi mast head rig I suppose. I don't have dimensions handy for all this, but I bet Todd at BWY would be more than happy to share a copy of the instruction sheets with all the pertinent info.

[Zarya]

I plan on switching out my lifelines over the winter for sure. The plastic covering is cracked and showing signs of rust in places. I will use lashing to maintain tension as the dyneema creeps.

I have been using a dyneema backstay with a 4:1 block/tackle for 4 years now and I don't really notice the contracting/expanding as we are always adjusting throughout the day.

I was wondering if you moved the spreaders up because if you didn't then I would keep the SS inner shrouds and replace the outer shrouds with dyneema. I was planning on changing from my current roller furling forestay to a dyneema forestay with soft shackle hanks.

I also have been using the upgraded rigid spreader attachment points and thicker walled spreader bars which I changed out when I bought our boat 6 years ago. We still have crispy custom Hyde dacron main/genoa sails that were new when we got the boat.

The main goal is to get the better pointability and sheeting inside the shrouds. Most of our winds go up and down the mountain valleys in the interior of British Columbia.

I'm still in the scratching out dimensions and ideas on paper stage and again thanks for your review.

[Stickinthemud57]

You hit the main point of the Big Jib rig, which is to allow you to run the jib inside the lifelines. The kit offered by BWY has all the shrouds, forestay, and spreaders etc. and sets the upper end of the forestay and forward shroud attachment at 26 feet from the base of the mast. So, the square footage of the sail is, of course, much larger than the stock 100% jib. The length of the foot is limited by the lower shrouds. The lower shrouds mount 25.5 inches higher and the spreaders are 40 inches. This accommodates a foresail with a luff of 27.3, a leech of 24.25, and a foot of of 11.2. The foot is longer than the sail provided by BWY. When close-hauled, the leech clears the lower shrouds by about 3 inches, so I think that is as long a foot as will work with the Big Jib rig as designed by Todd at BWY.

This arrangement definitely improves pointing. I can't say it has improved heeling noticeably but it's hard to say since I can't A/B that. I

It sounds like you are up to the job of re-doing your rigging yourself. Hopefully this information will serve as a point of reference for that.

Again with the Dyneema, naturally you did not have any problems with your backstay since that is constantly being adjusted. I love it for the lifelines, and it was easy to rig those. I would encourage you to read up on it. Like I mention before I and others have observed how it expands and contracts with temperature changes, and that could become a real PITA with standing rigging.

[THE CUSCUS]

I did that rig modification ( larger fore triangle) to my V25 ten years ago. J24 headsails will fit, allowing for an endless supply of "slightly used" racing sails. The single best modification I did to that boat.

[Stickinthemud57]

I did that rig modification ( larger fore triangle) to my V25 ten years ago. J24 headsails will fit, allowing for an endless supply of "slightly used" racing sails. The single best modification I did to that boat.

Very interesting! If I owned a V or M 25 (assuming the design is the same, right?) I'm sure I would be interested in the particulars of that rigging mod.