jibing a-kite with tack strap

[newly anonymous]

I have a North gennaker that came with a tack strap. In heavy air I rig the sheets for an outside jibe. If I do this with the tack strap attached around the head stay, the strap always seems to twist. Any ways to prevent this short of removing the strap prior to jibing?

 

[Alan]

john

The only way to twist the tack is with an inside jibe. The outside jibe will keep the relative position of the tack the same. You could avoid the twist by installing a swivel at the strap.

 

[jlp]

Outside or Inside ?

On this subject:Which do do you prefer (outside/inside). On my C30 TRBS I've used both and had mixed results. I often have inexperienced crews so doing things cleanly and easily as possible is important. Besides practice, practice does anybody have any rigging/handling advice?Jeff

 

[newly anonymous]

depends on wind strength

In heavier air, I find outside jibes to be the only real option for avoiding a spinnaker wrap. But in light air the lazy sheet wants to drop into the water, so I rig for an inside jibe at that point and physically pull the sail around the headstay. As far as advice about making the outside jibe work, I found it best to initiate the jibe with the release, and not to begin turning the helm until the clew is already forward of the tack.

 

[newly anonymous]

Alan,

I found something on the North Sails site (see link below) that said that the problem of jibing with a tack strap would result in the strap always being twisted on one jibe. This makes absolutely no sense to me, but is thoroughly consistent with my experience. If I set on port tack, the strap will be twisted on starboard, but then straightens out again if I jibe back. Why the strap doesn't swivel instead of twist I have no idea.It seems the solution is to toss the tack strap into the deepest recesses of a lazarette, only to bring it out if I'm planning to broad reach for at least three hours without any chance that I'll actually jibe.Unless, of course, someone out there has figured out how to rig the strap to beat this problem.

 

[Alan]

john

To be perfectly honest I never use those straps because they limit the ability to properly adjust the tack height and restrict it from flying out to weather where it would be most effective. However, if you insist on using one, a short length of tack line between the strap and sail tack will solve your problem. Understand that this only happens on inside jibes not outside.