Attaching Jib Sheets

[Roger Long]

I was putting left over epoxy from the last coat on the strut over various patches on the keel when a fellow stopped to ask me if I knew a way to attach jib sheets so they don't snag on the shrouds. As a matter of fact I do:

You need sheets with a couple of long eyesplices, about like dock lines. These pictures actually show a mock up with a couple of dock lines.

The first sheet is put on by running the end through the eye in the normal manner. Both it and the bitter end of the other sheet are run through the second eye as shown.

If you try it out ahead of time, you can have the splice for one sheet made shorter for better appearance.

My boat, of course, isn't rigged this way. I use a Buntline Hitch (clove hitch around the standing part) for both sheets. It snags on the shrouds every time and I ask myself, every time I tack, Why didn't I take those sheets home and put eyes in them? It's not an easy job to do on board. Seven years now, and I still forget as soon as the dock lines are secured.

Here's the way to do it if you have the foresight to buy your sheets in a single length:

 

[WayneH]

That's great if you're using the same jib all the time. But it takes forever to undo it to change headsails. There is a better way.

I had a picture of what I am going to describe but it has disappeared on me.

Take that same jib sheet and cut off six inches. Tie an overhand knot in the middle of the six in piece. Find the middle of the remaining jib sheet and form a three or four inch loop at the middle. Lay the short piece alongside the jib sheet so that the knot and the loop are together. Seize all four pieces of line together. When finished, you should have two loops there. One with a knot in it. On your jib, slip the loop through the sail and then slip the knot through loop. Pull the loop back to the sail and the knot will prevent the loop from coming loose.

I did this on my 16 footer but not on the 37 footer. Why? Because the 37 footer still has TWO good jib sheets. But it's how I'm going to replace them when they wear out.

 

[anchorclanker]

You could make an eye splice in the middle with a shackle in the eye. Thats how both my Jib sheets are.

 

[Joe]

You could always suggest he learn to tack the boat in a manner that puts no pressure on the clew as the sail passess across the shrouds. Many, many of us rig separate sheets attached with bowlines and suffer little inconvenience because, we allow the wind to assist the tacking and headsail transfer process.

 

[Roger Long]

Many, many of us rig separate sheets attached with bowlines and suffer little inconvenience because, we allow the wind to assist the tacking and headsail transfer process.

I do that, although with a different knots. However, tacking singlehanded as I do most of the time, I could be taking up the sheet slack sooner and cranking less against the wind pressure if I didn't have to wait for the boat to fall off that extra 10-20 degrees that frees the sheets from the forward lowers.

 

[Jonbrown]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I just installed a roller furling so no changing of headsails. Also currently have the eye slice and it's hardware is what catches.

@Roger & Joe,

I am the fellow that pestered you while you attempted to work on Strider. While I'll do my best to learn to tack with less pressure on the clew, alas I am new to the (boat) sailing world having come to it via windsurfing and age. So, I have a lot of things to learn! Roger, just before I spoke with you I had bought the sheet in a single length @ South Port Marine and so will configure it as your post above shows.

Jon
York, Maine (the tiny little Compac 19 across from you.)

 

[Jonbrown]

Side note: With my level of 'experience' it's fairly certain that anyone working under or around a sailboat has more knowledge than I. Nonetheless, it's pretty amazing and fortunate for me that I happened upon Roger.

Thanks.

 

[Shoaldrafter]

Jon Brown

Side note: With my level of 'experience' it's fairly certain that anyone working under or around a sailboat has more knowledge than I. Nonetheless, it's pretty amazing and fortunate for me that I happened upon Roger.

Thanks.

Jon Brown,

If you will follow the URLs, you will
find that Roger is a professional
Naval Architect.

As such he has minimum charges.
Please go to his web site to ascertain
your minimum remittance and forward
your check accordingly.

From the Accounting Department.

- - - -- -- - - -- - // - - - -- - -

Ed K

 

[bffatcat]

Attaching jib sheets my 2c

I dunno? all these splices and unconventional knots seem like a make work detail to me .
bowlines work fine. They are easy to tie, easy to untie and they dont undo underway.
and Oh I almost forgot: It you want to change jibs you can easily use the same sheets for several jibs. all you have to do is untie the bowlines and retie them on the changed jib.

 

[Roger Long]

bowlines work fine.

Yes, but the question was, What knot won't hang up on the lower shrouds for several seconds of the tack when you could be pulling sheet in so as to get the jib sheeted home before there is significant strain on it? The importance of this will vary with sailing style and rig geometry. It's important enough on my boat that I wonder why I've been putting up with knots all these years.

 

[Joe]

I do that, although with a different knots. However, tacking singlehanded as I do most of the time, I could be taking up the sheet slack sooner and cranking less against the wind pressure if I didn't have to wait for the boat to fall off that extra 10-20 degrees that frees the sheets from the forward lowers.

Well...... if you're trying to pull it across you're always going to have trouble. so...... let the wind do its work and once the sail is across..... head back up to luff the headsail a bit on the new tack while you continue stripping in the slack with your free hand.

 

[Roger Long]

head back up to luff the headsail a bit on the new tack while you continue stripping in the slack with your free hand.

Sure, and that's the way I do it. But, if I were to eliminate that snag time of the knot, I would already be sheeted home by the time I was luffing back up.

Rudder movements and course changes cost speed. I normally don't pay much attention to small performance increments but momentum can be precious short tacking in narrow places. That's when I find myself thinking about re-doing my sheets.

 

[jibes138]

also when trying to make way in a tight space and against an unfavorable current while going upwind you are fighting for every inch. Nothing worse than sailing for an hour exerting all kinds of effort at tacking and watching the same bearing point on shore either never moving or going backwards, in these conditions or a lee shore in a storm it could make a big difference.

 

[philwsailz]

Here is a solution I cobbled together after becoming very frustrated with a shackle. I decided that it suited my needs. See below

I like the knot and loop idea though, clever!

 

[JohnS]

That's great if you're using the same jib all the time. But it takes forever to undo it to change headsails.

I use a single line tied in the middle. If I need to change headsails, the sheets go with the sail, and the new sail has it's own sheets already tied on.

 

[Victory]

I use a single line tied in the middle. If I need to change headsails, the sheets go with the sail, and the new sail has it's own sheets already tied on.

1. you still have to remove sheets from the boat and reave a new set down each side. How convenient is that? It's way more convenient to untie the sheets from the old sail and tie onto the new. All you need to know is how to tie a bowline.

2. storing your sheets in the sail bag will bring moisture and a greater chance of wrinkling.... even if you fold your sail correctly.... think of the tennis shoe in the dryer.

 

[anchorclanker]

1. you still have to remove sheets from the boat and reave a new set down each side. How convenient is that? It's way more convenient to untie the sheets from the old sail and tie onto the new. All you need to know is how to tie a bowline.

2. storing your sheets in the sail bag will bring moisture and a greater chance of wrinkling.... even if you fold your sail correctly.... think of the tennis shoe in the dryer.

I hear you on both notes. Having sat docked at the marina since 2007, unused, with the sails stored in their bags inside the cabin along with the sheets, my sails were stained by the sheets.

I found a jib sheet that im not sure was ever used, but as I said, it has an eye splice in the middle with a snap shackle. Snap its on, snap its off. Simple as that.

Another option would be a soft shackle.

 

[Roger Long]

eye splice in the middle with a snap shackle.

You ever get one of those up alongside the head from a flogging sail? I guess not if you are suggesting it

 

[HEINZIR]

This is what I have used on my boat for the last 35 years. It is the predecessor to the new Dyneema soft shackles. I use the same sheets for my staysail and storm sail; they are cut to use approximately the same lead angles. My assymetrical spinnaker sheets are set up the same way and also used for the light air drifter.

 

[sea_casper]

Soft Shackle

This is what I have used on my boat for the last 35 years. It is the predecessor to the new Dyneema soft shackles. I use the same sheets for my staysail and storm sail; they are cut to use approximately the same lead angles. My assymetrical spinnaker sheets are set up the same way and also used for the light air drifter.

Here is a link explaining how.

How to Attach Jib Sheets With a Soft Shackle