Does anyone have experience with a self-tacking jib? What are its benefits and limitations? It appears that the sheeting angle will be fixed.
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Had one since 1988.
Jeff: I have had one since 1988. It it great if you need to tack a lot. The biggest downside is the need for a larger sail in light air. The unit that I have is a Camber Spar (used on some Hunters and Freedom). The spar (boom) is actually built into the sail. There is no limit to angle and we always have good sail shape.
Jeff: I have had one since 1988. It it great if you need to tack a lot. The biggest downside is the need for a larger sail in light air. The unit that I have is a Camber Spar (used on some Hunters and Freedom). The spar (boom) is actually built into the sail. There is no limit to angle and we always have good sail shape.
Self tacking ...
I have a self-tacking staysail, not a jib, but the same will apply. Disadvantages: 1. You are limited to a 100% foretriangle 2. Without an auxiliary boom the set/shape will suffer (draft position) on all points of sail other than beating /close-winded. 3. When reaching, the head of the sail will be overtwisted (flapping) and the foot overtrimmed (too close to the centerline) unless re-sheeted to the rail or the boom is vanged to the deck/rail. The alternate is to apply a radial bend traveller (center of traveller track circle is the tack of athe sail) 'across' the deck; but then, you need a multiposition 'clew iron' to be able to set the correct for/aft 'fairlead' posiition. A "hoyt-boom" (or a boom that is prevented from rising) will solve 95% of these 'problems'. Otherwise without a boom, there will ALWAYS be for/aft fairlead position 'problems'. 4. a jib boom will sweep you off the foredeck if it gets 'loose' in a high wind. Advantages: 1. Single line sheeting (with jib-boom). 2. No need to change from windward/leeward sheets when tacking 3. Hands-off operation when tacking on equal angles 4. Easy way to 'blade' the jib in rough/high wind for boat control. Take a look at the hoyt-boom (offered from Forespar as a retrofit). The Hoyt-boom is standard equipment on Alerions and Island Packets. The obvious limitation is that you are restricted to less than a 100% foretriangle. If your boat is a 'fractional rig' this is not a problem; but, a masthead sloop will suffer large performance loss if limited to a 100% jib. hope this helps.
I have a self-tacking staysail, not a jib, but the same will apply. Disadvantages: 1. You are limited to a 100% foretriangle 2. Without an auxiliary boom the set/shape will suffer (draft position) on all points of sail other than beating /close-winded. 3. When reaching, the head of the sail will be overtwisted (flapping) and the foot overtrimmed (too close to the centerline) unless re-sheeted to the rail or the boom is vanged to the deck/rail. The alternate is to apply a radial bend traveller (center of traveller track circle is the tack of athe sail) 'across' the deck; but then, you need a multiposition 'clew iron' to be able to set the correct for/aft 'fairlead' posiition. A "hoyt-boom" (or a boom that is prevented from rising) will solve 95% of these 'problems'. Otherwise without a boom, there will ALWAYS be for/aft fairlead position 'problems'. 4. a jib boom will sweep you off the foredeck if it gets 'loose' in a high wind. Advantages: 1. Single line sheeting (with jib-boom). 2. No need to change from windward/leeward sheets when tacking 3. Hands-off operation when tacking on equal angles 4. Easy way to 'blade' the jib in rough/high wind for boat control. Take a look at the hoyt-boom (offered from Forespar as a retrofit). The Hoyt-boom is standard equipment on Alerions and Island Packets. The obvious limitation is that you are restricted to less than a 100% foretriangle. If your boat is a 'fractional rig' this is not a problem; but, a masthead sloop will suffer large performance loss if limited to a 100% jib. hope this helps.
Swinging Jib Boom
A friend of mine had one on his masthead-rigged Union 36 and removed it because he said when the sail started flapping as would happen when the boat was pointed into the wind the jib-boom would swing violently and he felt it was a hazard. Otherwise, the self-tacking aspect seems like a plus. And I would consider Mike to be a way-above average skipper, for blue-water, racing, and all-around boat set-up and maintenance.
A friend of mine had one on his masthead-rigged Union 36 and removed it because he said when the sail started flapping as would happen when the boat was pointed into the wind the jib-boom would swing violently and he felt it was a hazard. Otherwise, the self-tacking aspect seems like a plus. And I would consider Mike to be a way-above average skipper, for blue-water, racing, and all-around boat set-up and maintenance.
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