Jib Jack Line

[Marcia]

Has anyone ever seen anything like this? It looks like it'd be a great, inexpensive idea for singlehanding. In lieu of a roller furler (which our small PY23 does not have), it enables you to collapse the jib without leaving the cockpit, and at the same time helps to keep it self-contained and not catch the wind while on deck.

 

[caguy]

Merry Christmas, A female on a sailing blog on

Christmas morning, your husband is a lucky guy! I've seen mixed reviews on it. I have always just pulled the windward sheet tight and let it lay across the deck. I use a 1/8th" downhaul which is invaluable. Frank

 

[RichH]

This works well but you really dont need the rings

Just run the line to a block at the stem, then 'interleave' the line though the hanks (the line runs from the opposite side of each hank) and terminated ON the 3rd topmost hank instead of at the head - less friction. ;-)

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

It wont work well

This system is neither a lazy jack system nor is it a jackline. For a naval architect....sheesh.If there is any kind of wind at all, the jib will be flopping and flogging and I dont think that it will fold in all that easy.The block on the bottom of the forestay? I have made downhauls before and I will tell you for fact that there is a serious flaw here. If the block is at the bottom of the forestay, the line will be pulling tight up against the sail that is coming down and trying to buch up and bulge out....trust me , this is true, It wont come down more than about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way. When I made my first downhaul, this is what I had to correct. I did this by moving the block over to the starboard side and attaching it to the bottom of a stanchion. just slightly back of the forestay. This gave enough clearance.Also, If you clip your downhaul line to the top of your jib, when you pull downhaul, the top will try to bend over slightly which will fight against the forestay and be more difficult to pull on. Simply attach your downhaul line to the second or third position down from the top and all will slide down easily. This system will possibly damage your sails.His system is something that sounds good on paper but will not work well as a downhaul. This 'dousing the sail' thing would however, come in handy if you wanted to partially douse your sail partially against the forestay as in an aid for tacking.My suggestion would be that if you want a downhaul, stick to the normal method. If you try this system, let us know how it works. I would like to hear from you. I have been wrong many times before.IMHOTony B

 

[gfrazzle]

It works

Marcia,I have used a very similar system on a Catalina 25 and it worked fine. I used small blocks on either side of the ring to reduce friction.This setup worked fine for dousing and was acceptable for stowing when the halyard was eased. It does tend to bunch up the sail (like using a single line reefing system) but makes single handing from the cockpit possible.Dropping worked best by heading up and maintaining some tension on the halyard as it was eased and the sail pulled down. Not very pretty but functional.

 

[Doug]

TOO MUCH FRICTION

Over the last 30 years I fooled around with a lot of down hauls. When the wind picks up, you do not want to go on deck. This is when they jam-up and let you down. A line that runs agains the lee side of the sail will develop a lot of friction and should be avioded.The beest solution I found went trom the top hank to as far too the side of the bow pulpit via block to the cockpit. Simple but it works in 30+knots. Also good for holding sail down while motoring out a channel.

 

[Marcia]

Thanks for the compliment, caguy!

Yes, I have it on good authority that he is indeed one lucky guy! I love sailing and working on the boats. We bought a PY23 so I can singlehand while he works during the week. We own a Cal 34 but it is just too large for me by myself, but we love it and don't want to sell it. Now that I've finished fixing up the Cal, I'm currently working on restoring the PY23. Currently sitting on the moaning chair, as it's turning out to have MANY more issues than I originally thought, but I'll get 'er done - eventually.Thanks to all for the advice about the jib jack line!

 

[Patrick S/V Shangra-La]

Just use a downhaul

I had a downhaul on my hunter 23 I mounted fairleads on the life line stanchons, to a fairlead at the bow, tied a 1/4 inch line to the shackle for the jib, when the weather got bad, turned to the wind, tightened the sheet, threw loose the halyard and pulled on the downhaul. Everything lies on the deck till I was in a position to work with the sail.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Downhauls

When I used downhauls on my other boats, I would simply attach the downhaul line to the second or third position down from the top of the jib and attach the block on the starboard side to the bottom of a stanchion just slightly rearward of the forestay. Then I would use fairleads back to the cockpit. When I wanted to drop the Jib/Jenny, i would go through the wind and backwind my jib/jenny on the port side. Then slightly loosen the sheet on the port side and free the halyard. Pull on the downhaul and the jib/jenny would lay against the rails on the port side. When time and opportunity permits, use one bungee to tighten the jib against any of the port stanchions (on a 23, this would not be necessary). I have used this system on a Mac 25, a Catalina 25 and a Bruce Roberts 31/32.It worked flawlessly every time.Why did I put the block on the starboard side and drop jib on port side? Because I am righthanded and I could get up on deck on the stbd side easier than the port side. Of course, the whole setup could be reversed.Tony B Phase II: Lazy Jacks for your main....you will love them also.