Is there a WIRE embedded in the luff of this sail ???????
If so its a free-flying wire luff jib that is usually found on boats that can radically rake their masts while 'on-the-fly' (ILYA Scows, high speed planing boats, etc.). If a luff WIRE, its is NOT a 'hank-on' sail; and, those 'tabs' are to control the slacked fore/heastay from swinging around (out of control) when the forestay is loose and the jibstay (inside the luff) takes ALL the luff tension (usually by winch or Harken 'magic-box'). On smaller boats, many times there isnt any wire, letting the 'luff tape' take all the load (and then ultimately stretches out of shape/length). Such free & wire luffed headsails 'usually' have battens (at least small 'auxilliary' battens permanently sewn in to pockets). Such sails are usually cut VERY flat (little draft/camber) for high speed sailing ..... and will not be very good for beating into 'chop'
Nevertheless, you can add metal grommets and piston (bronze or 'plastic') hanks to make such a sail a 'hank-on' .... or cut off the luff sleeve (and battens) and apply/sew a 'continuous support tape' to make it into a 'rolling furled' sail --- easy to roll-in beyond the normal limit of 30% SA reduction due to its unusual 'flat' shape.
Other caution: such sails are usually cut with a 'straight luff' .... the geometry between the head of the sail and i ts tack is 'straight as an arrow' .... no smooth 'luff hollow' cut into the luff to compensate for 'stretching'/sagging forestay; so, ..... such sails are controlled usually by VERY 'bendable' masts and 'bodaceous' backstay tensioners.
