Jib sheet questions

[tessmar]

My V21 came with three headsails. Two are fractional jibs...about perhaps a 75% or so fractional and 100 and 125% relative to the mast. The third sail is a masthead 130. Only one of the sails (the 75%/100) has sheets attached, thus so far it is the only sail I've used.

I would like to be able to use the other sails under the right light wind conditions, but am wondering about two things:

1. How to go about figuring what length sheets I will need. I was thinkng that the 100 headsail is the "shortest" so if I estimated a length from the hypotenuse of a triangle whose base is the length of the sail (roughly the distance from the mount point at the nose of the boat to the mast) and whose length measures from there to the winch...plus of course enough extra for tailing, this should work. When I roughed this out it came out to about 20 feet (times two of course). Is this the right approach or is that too long or is there some other formula should use?

2. Is it possible to use something like a swivel eye snap to fasten the sheets to the clew? http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50048
That way I would only need one set (40 feet total) rather then double that amount.

Thanks

[Baerkanu]

Since the sail with the shortest foot is the one with sheets attached, and apparently that length works, I think duplicating that length would work well for the 100 and 130, unless I'm not thinking straight. The length of the sheet needed for the bigger sails would be maybe 5 or 6 feet less max, since the clew of the bigger sail is further aft. The lazy sheet needed is always a bit longer, but in your case only by the difference in clew position, and since your sheets are ok for your smallest jib, that should be fine as well.

I wouldn't put a metal clip on the clew. Too often when tacking or in irons/upwind, the clew is flailing around the deck - getting hit by the clip would hurt, or would damage gelcoat or something else. Sheets are normally one long length of line; just stick a loop through the clew, pass the ends through, and you're done. They're easy enough to swap between sails, especially with a marlinspike.

- Clay

[Steve K]

I have one set of head sheets.

I got some fairly high tech sheets for my drifter (ultra light, but ultra strong), because in very light conditions, the drifter would be pulled down by the weight of the heavy, factory type sheets.
I just ended up using the same set of sheets for all my head sails.

I have a shackle at the attachment point. It is thin stainless steel (again needing things as light as possible). I've never had any problems with it. I don't know if I would trust a plastic shackle, but that would be lighter. I find that putting the rounded part of the shackle through the sheets and the pin through the sail cringle or D ring will usually eliminate it catching on stuff.
Oh, and I do use two separate sheets, each one having an eye splice in the sail attachment end. This works better than a single line with some kind of loop knot in the middle. (for me anyway).

Sail changes are easy, because you can unhook the sheets.
Drop the sail, unhook the sheets, re-run the sheets around the shrouds, hook them to the new sail and hoist. I've gotten to the point where I can do this in a minute or two, depending on conditions.

As long as when you tack, you let the sail come across on it's own and don't try to pull it over with the sheet, it won't get hung up on anything like shrouds or lifelines. Whenever I blow a tack, it is because I was impatient.

Best Breezes,
Steve K.
Mac 26D "Three Sheets"

[Russ]

I wouldn't put a metal clip on the clew. Too often when tacking or in irons/upwind, the clew is flailing around the deck - getting hit by the clip would hurt, or would damage gelcoat or something else.

Ditto. No flapping metal bits on deck for me. Bad things can happen with that.

--Russ

[Steve K]

No flapping allowed on my boat

Yep, that little SS shackle may give me a scar, at some point. Wish someone would come up with a really good, soft, quick attachment device for this. I know there are all kinds of stuff out there, but most don't seem ideal.

BB,
SK

[mastreb]

No flapping allowed on my boat

Yep, that little SS shackle may give me a scar, at some point. Wish someone would come up with a really good, soft, quick attachment device for this. I know there are all kinds of stuff out there, but most don't seem ideal.

BB,
SK

Put some white Sugru (RTV Silicone) around the shackle. It'll make a permanent rubber coating around the shackle which will prevent it from marring the deck if it strikes, or scarring your hand.

[Russ]

Put some white Sugru (RTV Silicone) around the shackle. It'll make a permanent rubber coating around the shackle which will prevent it from marring the deck if it strikes, or scarring your hand.

It's the weight of the thing whacking you in the head. It could be soft, but if it's heavy (mass) when it hits you, it's a hazard.
My concern is me going on deck with sail flapping around violently.

--Russ

[Johnacuda]

Since the sail with the shortest foot is the one with sheets attached, and apparently that length works, I think duplicating that length would work well for the 100 and 130, unless I'm not thinking straight. The length of the sheet needed for the bigger sails would be maybe 5 or 6 feet less max, since the clew of the bigger sail is further aft. The lazy sheet needed is always a bit longer, but in your case only by the difference in clew position, and since your sheets are ok for your smallest jib, that should be fine as well.

I wouldn't put a metal clip on the clew. Too often when tacking or in irons/upwind, the clew is flailing around the deck - getting hit by the clip would hurt, or would damage gelcoat or something else. Sheets are normally one long length of line; just stick a loop through the clew, pass the ends through, and you're done. They're easy enough to swap between sails, especially with a marlinspike.

- Clay

I wouldn't cut the genoa sheets any shorter. When you are on a broad reach, you'll need the clew further out, and almost as far forward as the bow. My genoa sheets are each about 6' longer than my jib sheets since they double back to different jib cars that are mounted on gunnel tracks.

[petebrayton]

I too just have one set of jib sheets with a metal shackle and have never had a problem with them. If the wind is howling and the sheets are flapping around, I just grab them as I go to the bow and hold them to keep them under control. Haven't had any issues or injuries and I've been up there under some pretty wild conditions.

[Steve K]

As I said........
No flapping allowed on my boat (well maybe except for my own lip)

Something to consider also..............
You'll want the sheets longer if you plan to set up cross sheeting.

Cross sheeting can be very helpful when you want to keep the rail meat on the high side, but you need to adjust your working sheet.

If I wrapped that shackle with tape (or some putty or something) it would surely negate the reason I have it in the first place, which is to un-clip the sail from the sheets quickly for sail changes. It is one of those stamped SS jobs that is very light (probably lighter than the knot that would be there instead). Yes, I did bend one once, but have never had one let go.
My sheets are also so light, there's not much inertia involved, if they do get out of hand up there.

Not to say this is the best way to do it be any means. It's just what works for me.

Best Breezes,
SK

[tessmar]

Wow. Thanks for all the suggestions and info, guys
Somehow Yahoo decided the notification was junk and I did not think to check that folder until today. I'll try to read through the new info tomorrow.