Securing The Jib Sheet

[David in Sandusky]

Jam cleats

We have jam cleats on our h27. They have never let go in 12 summers of sailing in all kinds of weather.

We always use 3 wraps on our winches. 2 may not grip the drum.

We have chartered about 10 times on 30 to 45 foot boats, and I don't remember any other system than jam cleats.

 

[cwkemp]

I tried a couple of changes last weekend on Sacandaga. Had a variety of conditions from 5-8 knots true to 15-20 with some considerable waves, downwind several miles and a beat back. My findings: 1) I do like cross-sheeting and trimming the jib at the windward winch 2) the use of winchers basically eliminates the need for cleating the jib sheets 3) winchers definitely make the winch trickier to strip, slower but doable 4) a cam cleat on a swivel base is utterly useless without fairleads especially for cleating tail off a winch 5) I need a cam or clam cleat on my boom for reef line in place of the tiny horn cleat that is there now
I'm going to continue using the winchers for awhile and see if I can develop/improve tacking procedure. I also might rig a continuous jib sheet.
Clint