Just read an article in the Feb '03 Chesapeake Bay magazine about a Saga 43. Claims this boat has a self-tending jib. Can anyone tell me exactly what that is and if it can be added, reasonably, to smaller boats?
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True jibs can be self tending
A jib is smaller than the foretriangle - the clew does not reach beyond the mast. Such a jib can be rigged - usually with a boomlet and a single sheet - to tack just like the main for easy handling. If you add an asymetrical cruising spinnaker for llight air performance, you have a very capable and easy to handle sail plan for all conditions. The genoa/genny - a foresail that extends beyond the mast, and referred to by the percent amount of this overlap as 130 or 150's - are basically rule beaters for handicapped racing. Their strength is sailing close hauled to the wind in light winds - most cruisers are motoring in these conditions. David Lady Lillie
A jib is smaller than the foretriangle - the clew does not reach beyond the mast. Such a jib can be rigged - usually with a boomlet and a single sheet - to tack just like the main for easy handling. If you add an asymetrical cruising spinnaker for llight air performance, you have a very capable and easy to handle sail plan for all conditions. The genoa/genny - a foresail that extends beyond the mast, and referred to by the percent amount of this overlap as 130 or 150's - are basically rule beaters for handicapped racing. Their strength is sailing close hauled to the wind in light winds - most cruisers are motoring in these conditions. David Lady Lillie
A Boat New to the US, Haase
has that type of jib system. It was shown at the Cleveland Boat Show, and several of us had an opportunity to look it over. Basically, it has two (one on each side of the mast) arms extending from the base of the mast. These are a track type of system that actually lock down the jib, so no jib sheets (as we know them) are used. When you tack, this track allows for movement back and forth across the boat for either a port or starboard tack. Simple to understand when you see it. Don't have any idea how it sails, but the jib is small to allow clearance in front of the mast, completely.
has that type of jib system. It was shown at the Cleveland Boat Show, and several of us had an opportunity to look it over. Basically, it has two (one on each side of the mast) arms extending from the base of the mast. These are a track type of system that actually lock down the jib, so no jib sheets (as we know them) are used. When you tack, this track allows for movement back and forth across the boat for either a port or starboard tack. Simple to understand when you see it. Don't have any idea how it sails, but the jib is small to allow clearance in front of the mast, completely.
Different ways to do them.
David: To answer your question about what it is. It allows your jib sail to move back and forth just like your main sail does when you tack. You no longer need to use your jib sheet winches when you are tacking. The jib will automatically swing to the opposite side when you come through the eye of the wind. There are many ways to rig a self tending jib. Many cutter rigs are equiped with a self tending staysail. The most common method is to have a boom that is mounted either on your foredeck to attached to the forestay. As mentioned in a previous post your jib needs to be something less than 100% to allow for the boom to clear the mast when you tack. Other methods may or may not include a track that attaches to the cabin/deck just forward of the boom. This offers better control. Other use a couple of blocks attached to the toe rail and a line.... We have a Camber Spar on our '85 Hunter 31'. It attaches to the forstay and the boom resides in a pocket in the jib sail. This is the same setup that is used on many Freedoms. Hunter also put it on some of their boats too. If you are typically sailing in a channel, it is an easy way to go and makes single handling a breeze. If you want to change headsails it is not the best setup in the world. I believe that Harken had a section in the hardware design that shows some the parts that may be needed if you decide to go this way. Having some type of a boom really the best way. Beyond that you will also need a track (depending on the type of boom) a couple of blocks for the jib control lines. I would suggest that you look around and talk to a lot of different sailors and experts before you decide to do this.
David: To answer your question about what it is. It allows your jib sail to move back and forth just like your main sail does when you tack. You no longer need to use your jib sheet winches when you are tacking. The jib will automatically swing to the opposite side when you come through the eye of the wind. There are many ways to rig a self tending jib. Many cutter rigs are equiped with a self tending staysail. The most common method is to have a boom that is mounted either on your foredeck to attached to the forestay. As mentioned in a previous post your jib needs to be something less than 100% to allow for the boom to clear the mast when you tack. Other methods may or may not include a track that attaches to the cabin/deck just forward of the boom. This offers better control. Other use a couple of blocks attached to the toe rail and a line.... We have a Camber Spar on our '85 Hunter 31'. It attaches to the forstay and the boom resides in a pocket in the jib sail. This is the same setup that is used on many Freedoms. Hunter also put it on some of their boats too. If you are typically sailing in a channel, it is an easy way to go and makes single handling a breeze. If you want to change headsails it is not the best setup in the world. I believe that Harken had a section in the hardware design that shows some the parts that may be needed if you decide to go this way. Having some type of a boom really the best way. Beyond that you will also need a track (depending on the type of boom) a couple of blocks for the jib control lines. I would suggest that you look around and talk to a lot of different sailors and experts before you decide to do this.
Self Tacking Track
I've used a self tacking jib on a Soling. A track similiar to a main sheet travelor. The clew attaches to the car and swings back and forth as appropriate. Works really well for beating to windward.
I've used a self tacking jib on a Soling. A track similiar to a main sheet travelor. The clew attaches to the car and swings back and forth as appropriate. Works really well for beating to windward.
Thanks!!
Thanks for the lesson on this terminology. Unbeknownst to me, I, infact, have a "Self-tending jib" and didn't know it on an old 19' Pearson Resolute. It has a jib boom connected to the forstay and one sheet attached to a traveler and back to the cockpit. I also have a Pearson 26 that, now that I think about it, I may set up a self-tending jib. I thought this terminology had something to do with the fact that the Saga 43 had two headsails but I see not so. Thanks again. Love this website!
Thanks for the lesson on this terminology. Unbeknownst to me, I, infact, have a "Self-tending jib" and didn't know it on an old 19' Pearson Resolute. It has a jib boom connected to the forstay and one sheet attached to a traveler and back to the cockpit. I also have a Pearson 26 that, now that I think about it, I may set up a self-tending jib. I thought this terminology had something to do with the fact that the Saga 43 had two headsails but I see not so. Thanks again. Love this website!
RC Sailboats have self tending jibs
I race radio controled sailboats as well as a Capri 22. The jib club (a jib boom) is connected with a sheet through a eye on the deck, then back to a servo. This would work on a Full sized boat. It would be even better as the sheet could be lead to a jam cleat and adjusted in towards the centerline (for beating) then let out when running. Check the link for pictures and diagrams.
I race radio controled sailboats as well as a Capri 22. The jib club (a jib boom) is connected with a sheet through a eye on the deck, then back to a servo. This would work on a Full sized boat. It would be even better as the sheet could be lead to a jam cleat and adjusted in towards the centerline (for beating) then let out when running. Check the link for pictures and diagrams.
I put one on my hunter 235
I had the jib cut down so it would clear the mast. I made a wishbone boom from an old windsursfing rig. The sheeting block is just in front of the foot of the mast. It is easy as pie to use. It lets you sail closer to the wind if the wind is blowing pretty well. It self tacks and gybes easily. Because it has a boom it is really easy to sail wing and wing. When the main gybes it usaully causes the jib to gybe so you stay wing and wing. I really love this set up.
I had the jib cut down so it would clear the mast. I made a wishbone boom from an old windsursfing rig. The sheeting block is just in front of the foot of the mast. It is easy as pie to use. It lets you sail closer to the wind if the wind is blowing pretty well. It self tacks and gybes easily. Because it has a boom it is really easy to sail wing and wing. When the main gybes it usaully causes the jib to gybe so you stay wing and wing. I really love this set up.
Had one on my H23
When I bought my Hunter23 a few years ago, the former owner had a self tending jib set up with a track and block system, so that it was controlled with a single line. It works great but where I sail, the winds are typically light so except for some real windy days, it wasn't much fun. Great for single handing though. I now use a 135 genoa that I bought through this site. B
When I bought my Hunter23 a few years ago, the former owner had a self tending jib set up with a track and block system, so that it was controlled with a single line. It works great but where I sail, the winds are typically light so except for some real windy days, it wasn't much fun. Great for single handing though. I now use a 135 genoa that I bought through this site. B
My Watkins27 PilotHouse has one
We just bought a 1981 Watkins27 pilothouse. Here is the picture from the brochure showing the self-tending jib. We have not used it yet, as we still have to step the mast and finish commissioning the boat
We just bought a 1981 Watkins27 pilothouse. Here is the picture from the brochure showing the self-tending jib. We have not used it yet, as we still have to step the mast and finish commissioning the boat
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