On my 23.5 I have 3 jam cleats onthe starboard side but none on the port. I am guessing the 3 I have are for the 2 halyards and the center board. Is that right? Where do you secure the jib sheets? On my hobie I had a cam cleat on each side. Forgive me for being so green.
23.5 jib sheet
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Ok so I looked in the manual and saw there are jib cleats to secure them to. Do I use the winch to sheet the jib in? Once done with the winch do I leave the sheet on the winch? Also how do I use the winch on the main sheet? It seems it would be an awkward angle to pull. Sorry if these are dumb questions.
I use the winch almost all the time on the jib sheet. It isn't necessary most of the time though. I have 1/2 inch line and it's easy on the hands. i really can't recall the last time anyone used the winch handle when sheeting the jib, even non sailing girls. I have never even thought to use the winch on the mainsheet. It can be a little tougher than the jib in some cases but isn't a problem. I can adjust it with my weak hand and never even think about it.
I would never cleat a jib sheet... EVER. If a gust were to come up, and you start to heel over, it can be too difficult to dump you jib, if it were to be cleated, all the while trying to maintain control of the helm. On most boats under 26', I have seen cam cleats (with no fairleads on them) behind the winch. This is what I use. Two turns on the winch, and then to the cam cleat. The cam cleat is within reach of the tiller, so if there is trouble, I can just pop it out, and dump the wind out of the jib/genoa.
There is also a current posting/discussion about jib sheeting under the Don Guillette section.
On boats above 26', I see self tailing winches.
There is also a current posting/discussion about jib sheeting under the Don Guillette section.
On boats above 26', I see self tailing winches.
I leave the sheet on the winch and run it across the companionway and cleat it on the cleat on the opposite side, so it's within easy reach on the high side of the boat. Never had any problems doing it this way as there's plenty of control w/ the main sheet and tiller in a gust. Even if this boat were to get knocked down in a gust, it rounds up and pops back up as soon as the rudder starts to come up out of the water.
That doesn't look like a 23.5 to me. Unless you have a big genoa, or you don't have much strength, you don't need a winch for the jib on the 23.5 or the main sail. I plan to install cam cleats for my jib to make for easier singlehanded sailing. As someone said earlier, if you get a gust, just dump the main and she comes back up.
Kevin
Kevin
No, its not a 23.5, I have an H22. The H22 has three winches - one on the cabin top for the halyards, and one on each side of the cockpit.
I agree with Kevin, you dont need a winch for the jib/genoa sheets. If I were to not use the winch (like last year when my port winch was out of service) the jib sheet went strait from the jib block to the cam cleat. Neither my jib (pictured) nor 135 genoa are too big for me to handle without a winch. Now like last night (when I took the pic), I was out sailing with my 12 y/o daughter, its easier for her to handle the sheets when using the winch, but as you can see, she only needs one turn around the winch drum.
Is the winch expensive? When mine was out of service, I looked at replacing it... Its a #6 Lewmar, which you can find used for $50-$100 on ebay. But again, I dont know that I would go out an get one. My boat just happened to come with them.
Larger boats, say 27' and up, its not an option.
I agree with Kevin, you dont need a winch for the jib/genoa sheets. If I were to not use the winch (like last year when my port winch was out of service) the jib sheet went strait from the jib block to the cam cleat. Neither my jib (pictured) nor 135 genoa are too big for me to handle without a winch. Now like last night (when I took the pic), I was out sailing with my 12 y/o daughter, its easier for her to handle the sheets when using the winch, but as you can see, she only needs one turn around the winch drum.
Is the winch expensive? When mine was out of service, I looked at replacing it... Its a #6 Lewmar, which you can find used for $50-$100 on ebay. But again, I dont know that I would go out an get one. My boat just happened to come with them.
Larger boats, say 27' and up, its not an option.
In general I agree but I have a 14 and 9 year old that like to sail and bring their friends. For them a winch is handy.........now if they could just remember which way it turns
Doug H.
I never even considered using a winch on the main, we just pull! The only use for a winch on our 23.5 is for the kids to trim the jib or when I bring up the fin. The 23.5 is my first boat bigger than a sunfish (Had a super sunfish rig as a kid) and its been a great forgiving boat to learn the ropes (pun intended
)Doug H.
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