{1}. What is the best/correct way to attach jib sheets to the jib? {2}. How do you feel about loose footed main sails verses the main attched to the boom? Thanks, Jack
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Hi Jack, I always use a double bowline on...
our genoa sheets and remain happy with their holding ability. I've never had one come undone. We do not have a loose footed main on our boat and I'm happy with its performance. If you're into racing (we just cruise) the experts are divided on which is better. Terry
our genoa sheets and remain happy with their holding ability. I've never had one come undone. We do not have a loose footed main on our boat and I'm happy with its performance. If you're into racing (we just cruise) the experts are divided on which is better. Terry
The way it is done
on your boat is the correct way. On my boat it is with Presslock shackles. That may not be correct for your boat. There are several ways to attach sheets to headsails, pick one that works for you, it will then be the "correct" way for your boat.
Every main sail I've ever seen that uses a boom is attached to the boom. Loose footed mains (like on some multi-hulls) don't have booms, and are therefore unattached. As far as boomed sail being attach only at the clew or along the entire length of the foot. It makes no difference to sail shape, or speed. On a "loose footed" sail it is easier to run reef lines. "Loose footed" sails are poor at catching rain water. You can perform a mail slot spinnaker drop in heavy air with a "loose footed" main. Isn't it still warm enough in Tampa to be out sailing? Why are you asking "it's winter and I'm bored out of my mind questions", when you could be out on the boat trying different ways to attach jib sheets? BTW- If you look in the archives you should be able to find more that one debate on this very subject. Randy -Suffering from "It's winter and my boat's been out of the water for 13 months and I'm bored" syndrome.
on your boat is the correct way. On my boat it is with Presslock shackles. That may not be correct for your boat. There are several ways to attach sheets to headsails, pick one that works for you, it will then be the "correct" way for your boat.
Every main sail I've ever seen that uses a boom is attached to the boom. Loose footed mains (like on some multi-hulls) don't have booms, and are therefore unattached. As far as boomed sail being attach only at the clew or along the entire length of the foot. It makes no difference to sail shape, or speed. On a "loose footed" sail it is easier to run reef lines. "Loose footed" sails are poor at catching rain water. You can perform a mail slot spinnaker drop in heavy air with a "loose footed" main. Isn't it still warm enough in Tampa to be out sailing? Why are you asking "it's winter and I'm bored out of my mind questions", when you could be out on the boat trying different ways to attach jib sheets? BTW- If you look in the archives you should be able to find more that one debate on this very subject. Randy -Suffering from "It's winter and my boat's been out of the water for 13 months and I'm bored" syndrome. 
There are so many knots or hitches if you
prefer, that saying one is better than another has to be coupled with an explaination of the conditions involved. Some hitches are totally secure and nearly impossible to loosen, others are fine if the line is kept taut and not permitted to flog. There are some that lie in a middle ground. As Moody said find one that serves you and experiment with others when you get bored.
prefer, that saying one is better than another has to be coupled with an explaination of the conditions involved. Some hitches are totally secure and nearly impossible to loosen, others are fine if the line is kept taut and not permitted to flog. There are some that lie in a middle ground. As Moody said find one that serves you and experiment with others when you get bored.
Related question
I will be getting new sheets for my genny. The new braided dock lines (Samson) I got this summer are so slippery that I'm not sure they'd hold a bowline well. That had me thinking sheets should have an eye spliced and a shackle. A bowline (or double) is what I have used with my older sheets, and is what is recommended by riggers. Defender sells Samson Trophy Braid for "a more solid grip on winch drums". Experience with this line? Will it hold a bowline? Defender's reference chart also recommends XLS & Warpspeed($$$). Warpspeed seems to be for racers.
I will be getting new sheets for my genny. The new braided dock lines (Samson) I got this summer are so slippery that I'm not sure they'd hold a bowline well. That had me thinking sheets should have an eye spliced and a shackle. A bowline (or double) is what I have used with my older sheets, and is what is recommended by riggers. Defender sells Samson Trophy Braid for "a more solid grip on winch drums". Experience with this line? Will it hold a bowline? Defender's reference chart also recommends XLS & Warpspeed($$$). Warpspeed seems to be for racers.
Shackles Not
I don't really like any shackles on the jib. In the event you have to go forward with a flogging jib, a smack in the head from a shackle would not be nice and possible deadly. I prefer the double length jib sheet (single) doubled through itself and split.
I don't really like any shackles on the jib. In the event you have to go forward with a flogging jib, a smack in the head from a shackle would not be nice and possible deadly. I prefer the double length jib sheet (single) doubled through itself and split.
Moody
I believe Jack is asking about a loose footed mainsail as opposed to a shelf footed mainsail. The shelf footed mainsail has a bolt rope sewn onto the foot that is secured in a slot along the top of the boom. the loose footed mainsail usually has a slug at the clew that goes in the above mentioned slot before the outhaul is attached. I have sailed with both types of mainsails and currently have switched to a loose footed mainsail. I only daysail, but like the fact that I can wrap my hand securely around the boom as I walk around on the boat. That's impossible to do on a shelf footed mainsail. I also find adjusting the outhaul a little easier. Those are the reasons why I switched, beside needing a new mainsail. I also had a 2nd set of reefing points added, which was only a little more money for a really big benefit.
I believe Jack is asking about a loose footed mainsail as opposed to a shelf footed mainsail. The shelf footed mainsail has a bolt rope sewn onto the foot that is secured in a slot along the top of the boom. the loose footed mainsail usually has a slug at the clew that goes in the above mentioned slot before the outhaul is attached. I have sailed with both types of mainsails and currently have switched to a loose footed mainsail. I only daysail, but like the fact that I can wrap my hand securely around the boom as I walk around on the boat. That's impossible to do on a shelf footed mainsail. I also find adjusting the outhaul a little easier. Those are the reasons why I switched, beside needing a new mainsail. I also had a 2nd set of reefing points added, which was only a little more money for a really big benefit.
moody
Not to beat a dead horse but my sheet is attached to the underside of the boom and the clew on the main is attached to a boom car on top of the boom. The foot of the main is loose (not attached to anything) ergo it is a loose footed main. As far as I know, all in-mast furlers require a loose footed main. Maybe I misunderstood the original post but I can't imagine why a boat would have a boom if the main (or some sail) was not connected to it in some fashion.
Not to beat a dead horse but my sheet is attached to the underside of the boom and the clew on the main is attached to a boom car on top of the boom. The foot of the main is loose (not attached to anything) ergo it is a loose footed main. As far as I know, all in-mast furlers require a loose footed main. Maybe I misunderstood the original post but I can't imagine why a boat would have a boom if the main (or some sail) was not connected to it in some fashion.
Yup,
that's why my first reply was tongue in cheek. The question was: "How do you feel about loose footed main sails verses the main attched to the boom?" Does that not imply that the sail is not attached to the boom? .... but figuring out what I thought the real question is I also included what I see as features of both: "As far as boomed sail being attach only at the clew or along the entire length of the foot. It makes no difference to sail shape, or speed. On a "loose footed" sail it is easier to run reef lines. "Loose footed" sails are poor at catching rain water. You can perform a mail slot spinnaker drop in heavy air with a "loose footed" main." It seems to be a popular misconception that a main with foot rope somehow supports the boom and there is some mechanical difference in the sails. Isn't it silly that we are at 30 posts in this thread and just in August there was a 40+ post thread on knots for jib sheets? I'm waiting for the guy that wants to use a sheet bend to chime in again. The "dangers" of flogging shackles was mentioned in that thread too ... with one post claiming that a shackle could damage gel-coat during tacks ..? I don't know about y'all, but I can't get the clew of any of my jibs close enough to hit gel-coat when the sail is raised. So the correct answers once again: {1}. What is the best/correct way to attach jib sheets to the jib? Whatever works for you on your boat, after 30+ posts there is no agreement as to what is correct on other people's boats. {2}. How do you feel about loose footed main sails verses the main attched to the boom? Do you have a main sail that does not attach to the boom? There is no real difference between mains that have a foot shelf and those that do not. Foot shelves are good for catching water. In 90 days this will come up again.
that's why my first reply was tongue in cheek.
The question was: "How do you feel about loose footed main sails verses the main attched to the boom?" Does that not imply that the sail is not attached to the boom? .... but figuring out what I thought the real question is I also included what I see as features of both: "As far as boomed sail being attach only at the clew or along the entire length of the foot. It makes no difference to sail shape, or speed. On a "loose footed" sail it is easier to run reef lines. "Loose footed" sails are poor at catching rain water. You can perform a mail slot spinnaker drop in heavy air with a "loose footed" main." It seems to be a popular misconception that a main with foot rope somehow supports the boom and there is some mechanical difference in the sails. Isn't it silly that we are at 30 posts in this thread and just in August there was a 40+ post thread on knots for jib sheets? I'm waiting for the guy that wants to use a sheet bend to chime in again. The "dangers" of flogging shackles was mentioned in that thread too ... with one post claiming that a shackle could damage gel-coat during tacks ..? I don't know about y'all, but I can't get the clew of any of my jibs close enough to hit gel-coat when the sail is raised. So the correct answers once again: {1}. What is the best/correct way to attach jib sheets to the jib? Whatever works for you on your boat, after 30+ posts there is no agreement as to what is correct on other people's boats. {2}. How do you feel about loose footed main sails verses the main attched to the boom? Do you have a main sail that does not attach to the boom? There is no real difference between mains that have a foot shelf and those that do not. Foot shelves are good for catching water. In 90 days this will come up again. - Status