How is the correct distance, from the center line, determined for locating jib fairlead tracks? I've seen on the toe rail, very far inboard and everywhere in between.
Fairlead Tracks
- Thread starter Ken Prichard
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It depends on the location of your shrouds.
They are ideally located as far inboard as possible while keeping a large Genoa outside of the shrouds when sheeted in tight.
Fore and aft location depends on the range of the sizes of your various jibs. You want the block to be adjustable to accommodate the shortest and longest foot of all of your sails. Neutral is the point where the line of the sheet bisects the angle of the foot and the leech. A more acute angle closes the leech and the forward-most point needs to allow for this adjustment on your working jib. A less acute angle opens the leech, spills wind at the top and the aft-most point on the track needs to allow this for your biggest Genoa.
They are ideally located as far inboard as possible while keeping a large Genoa outside of the shrouds when sheeted in tight.
Fore and aft location depends on the range of the sizes of your various jibs. You want the block to be adjustable to accommodate the shortest and longest foot of all of your sails. Neutral is the point where the line of the sheet bisects the angle of the foot and the leech. A more acute angle closes the leech and the forward-most point needs to allow for this adjustment on your working jib. A less acute angle opens the leech, spills wind at the top and the aft-most point on the track needs to allow this for your biggest Genoa.
11.5 degrees is preferred...
... over 18 degrees. Most racing yachts run 7.5 to 9 degrees for calm water, up to 12 degrees for waves. My Catalina 27 measures 13-14 degrees from the widest point of the toe rail genoa track. Optimum angles vary with boat and sail design. As point of clarification, the lead/sheet angle is measured as a straight line compared to the boat's centerline.... the sail is curved.. so the sail's angle to the centerline at the luff will be much greater than the sheet angle.
An inside track can reduce the lead angle... I would experiment with a barber hauler to check performance changes before I installed a permanent track.
... over 18 degrees. Most racing yachts run 7.5 to 9 degrees for calm water, up to 12 degrees for waves. My Catalina 27 measures 13-14 degrees from the widest point of the toe rail genoa track. Optimum angles vary with boat and sail design. As point of clarification, the lead/sheet angle is measured as a straight line compared to the boat's centerline.... the sail is curved.. so the sail's angle to the centerline at the luff will be much greater than the sheet angle.
An inside track can reduce the lead angle... I would experiment with a barber hauler to check performance changes before I installed a permanent track.
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Track Angle
Just so I'm clear; once I locate this mid point, using either 11.5 degrees or 18 degrees, is the track then installed to maintain this angle throughout it's length or is it installed parallel to the center line?
Just so I'm clear; once I locate this mid point, using either 11.5 degrees or 18 degrees, is the track then installed to maintain this angle throughout it's length or is it installed parallel to the center line?
re: track angle
ideally you would mount the track to maintain the same angle. Realistically that may not be possible, so find the point on deck where you will most often position the lead block. You can determine this by drawing a line to bisect the angle or your headsail's clew corner. The outside lead block should be positioned so the sheet becomes an extension of this line..... now you can set your inside angle based on this median position. If the track can be positioned to maintain the angle in all settings along it, well.. great! If not... don't worry about... your most often used positions will be very close anyway.
ideally you would mount the track to maintain the same angle. Realistically that may not be possible, so find the point on deck where you will most often position the lead block. You can determine this by drawing a line to bisect the angle or your headsail's clew corner. The outside lead block should be positioned so the sheet becomes an extension of this line..... now you can set your inside angle based on this median position. If the track can be positioned to maintain the angle in all settings along it, well.. great! If not... don't worry about... your most often used positions will be very close anyway.
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