As most know this '83 O'day 30 is new to me. With all the work that I've been doing, getting it splashed and now working on top side and inside, I'm starting to get some sort of timetable together. I have a question though. I do not have any jib sheets. How do I know the length I need. My sails are hank ons, no furler. I have a 130 genoa and a trisail which i believe is a 90.
MaybeI'v got this all wrong, however how does one calculate the amount of sheet needed. My aim is to use one set for both sails. As always all answers are welcomed.
The basic formula for jib sheets is approx. 1.5 x boat length per sheet.... so 45-50 ft per sheet. The "lazy" sheet must be able to reach around the mast from the clew then back to the winch with a few feet left for the tail. Use two sheets rather than one continuous line, makes changing sails speedier and way more efficient....use a bowline knot to connect them to the sail..... especially since you have hank on sails and will be removing, folding and bagging them after each use... The bowline will not bind up and is easy to open... again, making sail changes more efficient.
Do NOT store your sails with the sheets attached. That is a big no, no. Coiling and storing the sheets in your rope locker will keep them cleaner, they will last infinitely longer because they stay out of the weather and get rotated every time you use them. There is absolutely no reason to put an eye splice in your sheets.... If you get them cut to order at a brick and mortar chandlery or online, they will seal the ends with a hot knife. Then you can "whip" the ends for a neat finish.
I'm not sure what you're "trysail" is. Did you mean "storm jib"? A trysail is a small triangular heavy weather piece mounted on the mast when the mainsail is lowered. It doesn't connect to the boom, which will be secured so it won't swing around, but rather directly to the boat. A storm jib will have a pendant at the tack to get it off the deck, hanks for attachment to the forestay and be sheeted like a regular headsail. Size wise it's usually around 50-70%. No problem with you 130% genoa sheet length since there is no overlap.
Besides length you must consider line diameter. On a 30 footer I think 7/16 ", normal "club race" level polyester double braid would be more than adequate and fit well in your winches and cleats. Here's some examples:
https://www.apsltd.com/line/polyester-double-braids.html There's lots more to choose.... I suggest you explore the site... another line you might like is the Samson Trophy Braid, it's got a spun polyester exterior that gives it a "fuzzy" feel in the hand and creates an excellent connection to the winch drum.