If you have any experience with a self tacking jib, please let me know what you think of them. I sail single handed frequently and would love the simplicity. Also, handling the jib sheets is a hassle when guests are aboard. I'm considering the system made by Selden.
Self Tacking Jib Experience
- Thread starter skob1014
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jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,746
Lots of boats use self tacking jibs.
At least the ones that are not "Racing".
You can buy one like the Selden system. It is a good one and well designed.
Or you can rig a DIY design. Kind of a fielders choice.
stingysailor.com
At least the ones that are not "Racing".
You can buy one like the Selden system. It is a good one and well designed.
Or you can rig a DIY design. Kind of a fielders choice.
How to Rig a Self-Tacking Jib for Free!
You may not have seen or even heard of a self-tacking jib before. They’re usually only found on luxury sailboats. But that’s exactly what one is, a headsail that sheets itself when you …
stingysailor.com
Had one on my cruising cat. Put it away day two, tried it once later, and never pulled it out again. I will never have one. If you want or need to tack without handling sheets, sail main-only.
- Too little area reaching.
- Poor twist control off the wind.
- Horrible shape if roller reefed.
Solings (27') use self-tacking jibs racing. They allow for very quick tacks; all the crew has to do is change sides. If you get one, talk to your sailmaker about a clew plate with several holes along the trailing edge. Attaching the sheet to the top hole is like moving your jib leads all the way forward. Attaching to the bottom hole is like moving your leads all the way back. Simple and effective.
Harbor 20s have a self-tacking jib using a Hoyt boom, The setup makings sail handling very easy and the Hoyt boom solves the problems listed above. I'd be eager to give the Selden setup a try, as long as you have a boat with a sail plan that provides good performance with a working jib, ie not designed for a large genoa, small main.
i have 50 years with a self tacking jib on the alden. love having the option.
i have no roller furling. controlling the shape is easy.
i also have a 110%, 140%, 155%, an Asail, 3/4os spinnaker, 11/2oz spinnaker.
matching the headsail to the conditions is my way of sailing.
i only sail with a full crew. when driving to weather all day, say thru islands and channels and bays, the self tailing jib is a hoot. off the wind we will throw up what conditions suggest.
i have always thought of sailing as a team sport.
do cruising cats drive to weather all day? prolly not! prolly start the engines.
love my selftailng jib, fast tacking up the channel while most are moterboating.
jon
i have no roller furling. controlling the shape is easy.
i also have a 110%, 140%, 155%, an Asail, 3/4os spinnaker, 11/2oz spinnaker.
matching the headsail to the conditions is my way of sailing.
i only sail with a full crew. when driving to weather all day, say thru islands and channels and bays, the self tailing jib is a hoot. off the wind we will throw up what conditions suggest.
i have always thought of sailing as a team sport.
do cruising cats drive to weather all day? prolly not! prolly start the engines.
love my selftailng jib, fast tacking up the channel while most are moterboating.
jon
- They don't reach (the race course is windward/leeward).
- They don't reef.
- They use a chute downwind.
Having a boom on a jib sounds like a foredeck hazard. And you still have to figure out how to hold the boom down when reaching. reffing is also more complicated.
My cat was modified and was quite weatherly. Yes, I liked sailing to windward for long periods.
On a 28' boat, if you ad a tiller pilot, crew or no crew should make little difference. Easy to singlehand. Remember, singlehanding does not mean you are alone. Many times it means the crew is either not able our that you don't want to press your guests to sail to sail the boat.
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Some people obviously like self-tacking, just have your eyes wide open about the downsides and why it is not prevalent. Those people arn't posting here. I've had both and know what I think.
Turns out Selden doesn't sell them anymore -- they said there wasn't enough interest in them. Seems difficult to get a Harken too. In any case, I'm going to just go with a 95% jib -- much easier to control and I'm in no hurry to get anywhere, don't race. If I need downwind performance I'll use a chute.
Self tacking jib systems : Seldén Mast AB
We have a 97% full hoist jib with three vertical battens, that rolls up. Next best thing, IMHO.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,746
Unlike Jon with his sail locker full 
... (long time ago, when someone else paid the bills, I enjoyed the option of a locker full of hank on sails. work but a joy filled sailing experience.)
I have 3 usable sails and an old 147% genoa that is off the boat.
Handling the jib, tacking, is joyful work.
... (long time ago, when someone else paid the bills, I enjoyed the option of a locker full of hank on sails. work but a joy filled sailing experience.)I have 3 usable sails and an old 147% genoa that is off the boat.
- A 90% jib (old cloth in good shape. Used to balance the boat in heavy weather. Furlable.)
- a 135% jib ( new sail, primary to weather all around foresail.)
- an Asymmetrical (New sail used for reaching and running off the wind)
Handling the jib, tacking, is joyful work.
I'd ask the sailmaker. I agree that 150% is a royal pain and not that great up wind, but a very slight overlap can be nice. Maybe 105%. This is not just about convenience, it is also about balance. Too small and you might get excessive weather helm. I'd ask. I know that if I furl some jib, to where it does not overlap (and it is only about 105% to start) I start getting more helm.
You don't need a fancy pre-made setup to have a self-tacking jib. The original arrangement on our Soling was a curved 2" stainless steel pipe that we bolted to the deck on wooden risers. A stainless steel ring slid back and forth on the pipe, with a line tied to it that determined how far out on the pipe we wanted it to travel. A block was shackled to it for the wire jib sheet, which ran from the jib clew, through the block on the ring, and then forward near the base of the forestay to a through-deck block. The wire sheet then connected under the foredeck to a tackle that led back to the cockpit and a swiveling cam cleat. We got a lot of surprised looks at regattas, especially from the boats we passed. After about three or four years we upgraded to a ball-bearing car on a curved aluminum extrusion, similar to a vertical bend here: https://www.harken.com/en/support/tech-articles/curved-track/. You might want angled "L"-shaped aluminum mounting plates to hold it up off the deck, or blocks of teak might look good too.
Thanks everyone for your responses. I understand that the 95% jib is not the ideal foresail for moderate conditions, but my concern is more for the comfort of my guests in the cockpit. Having them shift around as I haul in and winch the genoa sheet interferes with an otherwise relaxing sail.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,746
This is when you change guest into crew. Encourage them to begin handling the lines. Or move them to the helm and open the space for you to handle the lines. I have found that guests of all ages can get excited about sailing when they are asked to participate. Choose your route to be a long broad reach. It gives the guest an opportunity to get accustomed to the boat. Then gradually come up and introduce them to trimming. They trim the sail and the boat goes faster. It is a reward for becoming part of the experience. Those that smile get called crew. Just like in Captain Ron they can work their way up to Mate.