lacing for sail slugs

[Bob 04 H260]

on my last boat I had a UK mainsail. It had a line that laced the slugs to the luff up to the first reef point. The result was when the sail was all the way up the luff was tight to the mast but putting in a reef the sail was not all bunched up at the gooseneck. When reefed the sail shape was much improved over having the sail stacked up on the boom.

I can not remember how they did this, is there a website that demonstates this method of connecting the slugs to the luff ?
Bob

 

[Stu Jackson]

Bob, this comes up from time to time. I believe it is called a jack line." Try a search, may come up. I may have copied some of the posts, but I'm not at that computer and won't be for a while.

PS how about this?
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=474441&highlight=jack line

 

[Chuckbear]

Jacklines are the lines running from the bow to the stern to clip on your harness when moving around the deck. You might take a look around the Sailrite website and ask on their forum. I don't recall it having a specific name but it might. Chuck

 

[Stu Jackson]

Chuck, I almost said that in my post. I'm sure it's subject to confusions, but IIRC, that's what they were called when earlier discussed on this board. But your idea is a very good one. I'd be pleased to know just what they really are called. I've seen them mentioned quite a few times but over the curse of many, many years.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Jacklines are the term

You can find a complete discussion in The Sailmaker's Apprentice ISBN0-07-137642-9. On page 70 it shows a Jackline set up as follows:
Each lug is attached to the jackline so it cannot move up or down the line.
The jackline runs through two thimbles positioned just above and just below the position that the lug would be sewn into the sail if it where not on the jackline
Thimbles are just metal fitting that allows a rope to go through the center and can hold a rope lashing (to the sail in this case )around the outside. Looks like a donut with the outside eaten off. The thimble just above and just below where the slug would be attached pull the lug to the sail when the jackline is tight but allow the sail luft to move aft when the line is loose.
Jacklines are use to prevent sails that have less than a 90 degree tack angle to be lowered without releasing the clew outhaul.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Thanks, Bill, I'll take the space between the words out next time!

If you can't get the book, use Google or see a sailmaker.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Hey Stu, can I use that line "over the curse of many years"? Very appropriate for us old sailors. You probably aren't on Medicare yet.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

thanks guys, you always have the right answer !
Bob

 

[Stu Jackson]

Bill, so much for spell check. And, given that, I must be on it already - close to it, too damn close.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Truth is....

I didn't even notice you left the space out. Being dislexic smooths over many small problems.
The term jackline seems to be relating to holding an object but not holding it tightly in all cases. The luft jackline holds the luft tight when you need it to but automagicly loosens when you lower the halyard. A "man" jackline would hold the man onboard but allow him/her to move around to tend to things.