Race cut Jib

[Jim]

What is the difference between a race cut jib and a cruising jib? How does performance compare?

 

[Frank R]

More material

It is my understanding that race cut jibs usually fit tight to the deck so as to capture more air and cruising jibs have more space so that you can see under them and where you are headed.

 

[R.W.Landau]

Flatter cut

Jim,I believe that a racing Jib would have a flatter cut so as to point higher when on the upwind leg.A cruising jib is fuller. Allowing more power but a little less pointing ability.I hope someone will put their stamp on this....r.w.landau

 

[Don Guillette]

Jim: The jib on most race boats is very low cut and is referred to as a "deck sweeper". What they are trying to do is trap as much wind as possable. Cruising boats also can use that type of sail but it is a little more difficult to handle in a tack. It is best handled with someone on deck that helps it across but an extra hand is not that necessary. Cruising boats usaully carry a higher cut sail. The sails foot is cut at an angle from the tack to the clew. It makes it easier to see as you can look under it.

 

[Don Guillette]

Fair Lead Adjustmentl

Mates: The following is a simple proceedure that will make your fairlead adjustment almost perfect every time. You don't need the Garhauer adjustable fairlead system to do this procedure but it does make the job easier, which means your more apt to adjust your fairleads, plus it's faster and you can get a more precise setting. The thing I like about the Garhauer adjustable system is I can actually see the sail taking shape and feel the boats speed either increasing or decreasing as I adjust the car. Anyway, here's what I do:Step 1 Sail close hauled.Step 2 Adjust your halyard. Actually, I don't use the halyard. I use a small cunnigham, which is attached to the tack of the sail. In light air you want less tension (draft position aft) and in heavy air you want more tension (draft position forward).Step 3 Head into the wind and watch what happens to the luff of the sail. If the foot flutters or the bottom luffs or the bottom telltails break first - MOVE THE LEAD AFT. If the leech flutters, or the top luffs or the top telltails break first - MOVE THE LEAD FORWARD.Step 4 Trim the sheet until the luff stops.Step 5 Check your telltails. The important ones to watch are the middle ones. In light wind, both sides should be flowing. In medium wind, there should be a steady jump on the windward and the leeward should be streaming but both streaming is OK. If you want to squeeze a little more speed out of the sail, then work on the steady jump. Step 6 Once you get the leads where you think they belong, head up and see what happens to the sail. What you are looking for is the sail to break evenly from top to bottom, which never really happens but one part of the sail will definitely move first, until you get the lead where it belongs. Also, every time the wind changes you have to adjust the fairlead. What I do every time I'm working a winch (that is rare because it's too much work) is check the sail at every tack and move the lead according to what I see.It is as simple as I've outlined and the adjustment, while it sounds complicated, it isn't and it only takes seconds to perform the steps. Actually, your not totally home at this point. Your fairlead is set but you've got to mess with your draft depth, draft position, angle of attack and read your telltails properly to get 100% efficiency.Try this proceedure and see if it works for you.