Jib cars

[Interim]

Sailing in a 15pmh wind, gusts to 19 or 20, last weekend, the leech on our jib would start chattering. If I had the fairlead on an adjustable car, would this be a signal to move the car aft?

The jib tell-tales were streaming nicely, although I'm not sure we had the main dialed in so perhaps that was causing the issue.

--john

[grady]

You need to tighten up your leech line. There is a small line in the leech of the sail that should have some type of cleat close to the clew. Tighten it just enough to stop the flutter. In high winds you will want to move your jib cars aft to allow the top of the sail to twist off and depower the top.

[sailboatmike]

Leech fluttering and you want the power, move the cars forward so the sheets are pulling the leech down.

That said in all honesty I dont think I have moved mine from the mid position except while cleaning the track, I dont mind if I lose a bit of power, last year I hardly got out when the wind was below 15knts, was a shocking season, I craved for a nice 10knts for relaxed cruising while still making decent headway

[Interim]

I have a leech line on my main, but I've never looked at the jib. Still discovering

I don't have jib cars yet, but I am thinking about adding them as a winter project. Which is why I'm starting to think about when and how to adjust them. Thanks.

We are slowly learning this boat, so our confidence is still on the up-curve. We still reef when sustained winds are over 15mph, but we're getting there.

Thanks.

--john

[grady]

Your S will like to heel more than most sailboats. But once you pass 15 deg you are overpowered and are acually sailing slower. At that point you want to move your cars aft and tighten up back stay. Although I guess you do not have an adjustable back stay yet. Just somthing to put on your to do list.

When you get ready to do your tracks I can send you some examples. Mine and a couple of other D models.

[Interim]

Grady--

Thanks. I'd like to see those examples.

To make an adjustable backstay, do I just need to put a turnbuckle near the chainplate?

I'm thinking about an inclinometer. Right now we heel a little bit, quite a bit, and "oh no." Perhaps a more nuanced measurement would be good

---john

[Curwen]

I have a D, can I get some examples?

[sailboatmike]

A running backstay is a good idea, the same idea as used on dinghies and some bigger yachts, allows quick and easy adjustment of the backstay for the conditions.

A running backstay is basicly a backstay that is adjustable with blocks and pulleys and allows quick and fine adjustment normally with 2 to 1 or great mechanical advantage to allow you get get some nice bend in the mast

Here is a simple one http://www.soverel33.com/Images/Article ... -PW21R.gif

[grady]

Ok here are two examples of for the jib tracks.

This is mine I run about a 90% deck sweeper in high winds. The clue is around 1 inch from the block. That is why I had to run the tracks so far fwd. As you see I went a little to far fwd. but the aft should be fine for any head sail you could fit inside the stays.



Sail up




Here is a picture of the Famous "Wings". He only runs a 110% jib.

[grady]

As far a a back stay. I recomend if you have a vang. Move the vang to the back stay, then move your main sheet traveler to the vang, then buy a good main sheet block setup. This way you upgrade 3 items for the price of a good main sheet block set up.

For the back stay 4 to 1 should be fine. Mine has a block added and atachent just inside the engine well. That gives me 8 to one. Look at the the 2nd picture I posted. With this set up you can over bend the mast. Change you back stay to synthetic rigging and use a 4 to 1 and it will work just fine.