Tips on Preventing Jib HangupsBy David HendrickI mounted a fairlead on the portside of the mast about a foot below the upper jib halyard block to bring that piece of rigging out of the way. I also bring the main sail halyard all the way around the sidestay and traplines before cleating to the mast cleat. Sometimes I also bring it around the downhaul cleat to bring it even further aft before attaching to it's cleat on the starboard side of the mast base. I attach the tack of the jib to the lowest available hole in the bridle connector. This assures the greatest distance between jib luff and mast. If you shorten your battens you might also want to drill small holes through the luff caps and the battens to enable a small cotter pin to be passed through to keep the battens in the caps. If they slip out you can count on them wearing a hole through the batten pocket. All the tips given only help partially. You'll still have problems in light air. Probably less of a deal with a crew to bring the mast across, but a real pain when you singlehand and have to come forward and pass the jib at the same time you're trying to perform several other manuevers. |
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