Self tending Roller

[Steve Dion]

Bill:I am interested in putting a roller furling jib on my H'31. We are located up in the Delta and have to do quite a bit of tacking. I am interested if you think that there is a way to have a self tending jib with the jib furled in at 95 percent or less and then have it so we could release it when we want it over 100 percent.I do not know if this makes any sence but I did see a similar setup on a Dehler 41.ThanksSteve DionPS: we are presently using a camber spar jib on the boat now.

 

[Michael Birch]

Harken Site

Steve,Have you seen the diagram for system #3 on the Harken web site?http://harken.com/jibs.htmThis system shows a roller-furler with a jib-boom.If blocks (A) & (C) of the diagram where snatch blocks and the blue sheet ran slightly differently it would be easily releasable for use without the jib-boom and vice versa.

 

[Bill Colombo]

Convertible Roller Furling Genoas

Steve, I have designed quite a few roller furling self-tacking jibs and they work great. Usually these sails are designed with a fairly low clew in order to maximize sail area and sheeting efficiency. If you want you sail to be "convertible" you will have to compromise in these areas. An overlapping genoa designed to have a normal clew height when unfurled all the way will have a relatively high clew by the time the clew clears the mast when the sail is reefed to the self-tacking position. As a result you probably can only expect to have closer to an 80% sail when it is in position to sheet properly to the track or Jib Boom. If this is acceptable I think it can work. I also recommend using a seafoam luff pad in order to keep the sail flat as it is reefed. There are many variables here such as R/F drum height and sheeting location so have your rigger and sailmaker discuss the options together before you have any sails cut or holes drilled.Good Sailing, Bill C.