Hi all...I have a question as to the length of the jib/genoa sheets...How do you figure the length. or what is the formula?
Sheet length
- Thread starter flgypsysoul
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Depends on the size of your jib. The bigger a jib, the longer the sheets need to be. You have the boat, suggest you simply measure them on YOUR boat. No formula necessary. 
Leeward winch to mast around to where jib clew will be on the next tack, some more to add for ties and tails.
Leeward winch to mast around to where jib clew will be on the next tack, some more to add for ties and tails.
Each sheet needs to be long enoough to extend from the clew of the sail when it is set, around the mast and shrouds and back down through the lead block to the winch on the other plus five feet or so to be sure.
Or, according to this websites rigging calculator............ 46 feet
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/cordage/cordage.htm?fno=400&gclid=CIWcpfjXiqsCFSR6gwod1QrJwA
Or, according to this websites rigging calculator............ 46 feet
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/cordage/cordage.htm?fno=400&gclid=CIWcpfjXiqsCFSR6gwod1QrJwA
The sheets on any sailboat need to be long enough so your feet don't stick out!
Sorry for that, it's raining here in PA, and we've been spending a lot of time in the barn sanding the wood on the Celebrity and repairing the deck damage. Phil
Sorry for that, it's raining here in PA, and we've been spending a lot of time in the barn sanding the wood on the Celebrity and repairing the deck damage. Phil
When I got new jib sheets I admit that I cheated and looked up the specs in the owners manual. However, I would say with roller furling you should be able to get two wraps around your furled jib and still have enough line for two turns on the sheet winch a couple of turns on the cleat with a few feet left over.
Lay the jib/genoa on deck. Take the tape measure and go from the clew around the mast OR THE INNER HEADSTAY if you have one and then to the opposite side winch. Most people forget about that inner headstay. then add for a bowline and the tail. I have a six foo tail and another 2 feet for the knot. Once I had to cut the line because of an over ride. Alway cut as close to the clew as possible if you have to. With enough extra line you don't need to buy a new line.
Also, if you plan on using a whisker pole you will need to plan for enough sheet length on the lazy sheet side when the clew of the sail is poled out. This is the only time I have ever noticed short sheets... PS: Ross, isn't it easier to cut a line that's too long, rather than splice one that's too short??
In addition to the usual length,I'm sure you'd want the sheets to reach to the helmsman.
If you are not able to measure yourself, I think a workable rule of thumb is one and a half times the LOA on your boat. My H28.5, for example, uses headsail sheets that are about 42 ft long and that works well for both my 150 and 120 genoas.
I was using short sheets with my smaller jib on a very windy day one time and when tacking, a couple of sharp flaps from the jib yanked the sheet clear out of the fairlead so that when I wanted to sheet in, there was nothing to grab. I thought that sheets that were just long enough to get back to the helm when the sail is on the other side would be long enough ... it wasn't. I had to drop the jib to untangle the mess since going back to the other tack would have put me on shore in no time. Length of boat plus 10' or 1.5 times LOA appears to be about right.
My formula? The ones that came with the boat work well for me so I just measure them for the length of the replacements.
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