Jib sheet

[Quoddy]

Do I have the basic idea of jib trim in gusty winds?
Let’s say we have the jib trimmed so it is delivering the right amount of power for good boat balance. It would be better to arrive at this balance by having greater tension on the foot than the leech. When a gust hits the clew can rise allowing the sail to twist, this automatically depowers it at the top. It also lowers the center of effort. Both of these maintain boat balance and therefore speed.

 

[timvg]

If it's windy, I also have my jib leads set a bit aft, so the top part of the sail will luff before the bottom part, thus spilling some wind.

 

[Quoddy]

Thanks

Thanks. That's the idea I was getting at, to move the fairleads aft for automatic twist response.

 

[Alan]

Moving the genoa car aft during a gust and back again in the lulls is certainly a means of controlling big gusts. If the gusts are cycling through every minute or so the jib trimmer is going to be worn out in 15 minutes. Think about what that poor trimmer must go through. First ease the sheet, move the car aft and re-trim the sheet. During the lulls the reverse must be done.
It would be much easier and IMO more efficient to simply lower the traveler during the gust and bring it back up in the lulls. A much faster and less draining exercise.
If the genoa is constantly be overpowered then you probably have the wrong one up. Consider switching down to a #2 or even a #3. Leaving the top of your sail to be permanently twisted off is an indication of the wrong headsail size and is damaging to the sail to allow this constant flogging of the leech.