Jib sheets for 25D?

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Feb 24th, '07, 11:50

Hi all:

Well, I finally bit the bullet and ordered a 130 genny for my 25D. I'm sure it will make a big difference, since I've been sailing only with my working jib.

However, I'm not sure how long my jib sheets should be. I looked it up in the owner's manual, and it seems to say that the standard jib sheet should be 50 feet of 7/16 line.

Any recommendations from those of you who already have gennies?

Also, should I invest in a whisker pole? If so, should I put a track and moveable ring on for it on the mast?

Thanks,

--Joe

Cathy Monaghan · Post by **Cathy Monaghan** » Feb 24th, '07, 12:25

Hi Joe,

You should be able to use your old sheets, unless it's time to replace them, sheets of the same size should be fine. If anything, you may need to shorten them a bit. Wait until after you've used them before deciding to shorten them.

Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

Dick Kobayashi · Post by **Dick Kobayashi** » Feb 24th, '07, 13:41

Joe, I am with Cathy on this. Use your old sheets for a while and work with your new Genny before deciding on whether to buy a whisker pole etc. The whisker poles tend to come with a little plastic ring to fasten to the mast. I say use it and after using it for a while decide if you really will benefit from being able to adjust the height of the ring invest in the appropriate hardware. I, too, sail on Buzzards Bay and it was only last year after having owned my Gennt for four years that I purchased a Whisker pole (in part because it was on sale). We ususally have plenty of wind obviating the need for whisker poles, except in racing situations - but I am never in one of these.

Springs commin, Joe.

dk

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Feb 24th, '07, 18:19

I need to double check, but I think (yes it hurts AND I could be mistaken, also I am getting older

), but I think I use 3/8" on my jenny, and working jib!

I have been working on my trailer all day today (

) and hope to make it to the boat tomorrow afternoon (wx depending). I'll let you know for sure. 7/16 is big!

Fair Winds from the land of blooming Daffodils (and we have less than a half a rick of wood left, ergo, Spring is just around the corner{meaning days for us})

chase · Post by **chase** » Feb 24th, '07, 19:07

I also thought 7/16 was big, but after consulting my owners manual, which includes specs for the 25, I see they recommend 7/16 x 50 for jib and 7/16 x 35 for Genoa. Just FYI.

Chase

Neil Gordon · Post by **Neil Gordon** » Feb 25th, '07, 11:18

Joe Myerson wrote:Any recommendations from those of you who already have gennies?

Also, should I invest in a whisker pole?

Anyone who has downsized diameter? High tech line has greater breaking strength than when our boats were built.

As for the whisker pole, I'd sail for a while and see how often you get "I wish I had one" conditions.

Ed Haley · Post by **Ed Haley** » Feb 25th, '07, 11:58

I'm not sure what jibsheet winches you may have but if you have self-tailing winches, make sure that the sheets to do buy will work in them. If you do have self-tailing winches and use 7/16th inch sheets the 3/8th inch sheets may not be thick enough for the horns of the winches to grab the sheet.

Anthony P. Jeske · Post by **Anthony P. Jeske** » Feb 25th, '07, 12:12

Hi:
While a thinner line is strong enough, I feel a line with enough diameter to give some "hand" while you're using it is important.
I'd give some serious thought to a whisker pole. Once you have it, I think you'll be happy that you have one. A good pole will last just about forever, so you should be able to get a used one for a reasonable price. Your downwind sailing will improve greatly.
I'd also vote for a track rather than just a ring on the mast. With a track you'll be able to adjust the pole position for your genoa and your working jib, which will increase the versatility of the pole. And who knows, having the track will put you one step closer to adding the Cape Dory downwind secret weapon, a spinnaker!
Regards,

Tony Jeske
CD-28 #365
San Diego

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Feb 25th, '07, 12:43

Thanks everybody for the comments.

I realize that my current sheets (not the originals) are 3/8-inch Sta-Set, and they seem to work just fine. So I'll follow Cathy's (and others') advice and keep my present sheets for a while.

Tony, you hit on the reason I was asking about a whisker pole: My downwind performance has been abysmal, and I'm resisting moving to the "secret weapon" because I almost always sail singlehanded.

Also, this month's Good Old Boat has an article by Jerry Powlas on cruising "with one wing." I would probably not want to sail upwind with just a genny--but anything from a broad reach to a run sounds like it would be possible, particularly if I used a pole.

Still, it certainly makes sense to wait until I actually get to try sailing with the new sail.

It's just one more reason I'm counting the seconds until the sailing season begins!

--Joe

rtbates · Post by **rtbates** » Feb 26th, '07, 10:16

Joe Myerson wrote:Thanks everybody for the comments.

I realize that my current sheets (not the originals) are 3/8-inch Sta-Set, and they seem to work just fine. So I'll follow Cathy's (and others') advice and keep my present sheets for a while.

Tony, you hit on the reason I was asking about a whisker pole: My downwind performance has been abysmal, and I'm resisting moving to the "secret weapon" because I almost always sail singlehanded.

Also, this month's Good Old Boat has an article by Jerry Powlas on cruising "with one wing." I would probably not want to sail upwind with just a genny--but anything from a broad reach to a run sounds like it would be possible, particularly if I used a pole.

Still, it certainly makes sense to wait until I actually get to try sailing with the new sail.

It's just one more reason I'm counting the seconds until the sailing season begins!

--Joe

Joe:

On Seraph I use 3/8 line for ALL running rigging. For the 130 I use 3/8x70 with a loop at the clew. No knot to hang up.

As for sailing upwind with just the 130, as long as you can get some heel, rail awash is best, the 25D will point extremely well. Weekend before last I ran for 5 miles with just the 130 in 15kts and a Catalina 34 and a Catalina 30 with all sails couldn't keep up!!. And being on a roller furler/reefer sailing is a gentleman's sport, even to weather.

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Feb 26th, '07, 11:31

Randy,

Thanks for the feedback. Like yours (if I remember correctly), my new genny is a 130 with a rope luff pad. And I think it probably makes sense to use a one-piece sheet for this sail.

What knot do you use to secure the sheet to the sail? I've been using two separate sheets, tied with bowlines.

I'm glad to hear that you find sailing with this sail to be a "gentleman's sport." Even though I make no claim to such a title, the idea of sailing with a minimum of exertion has considerable appeal.

--Joe

rtbates · Post by **rtbates** » Feb 26th, '07, 14:02

Joe Myerson wrote:Randy,

Thanks for the feedback. Like yours (if I remember correctly), my new genny is a 130 with a rope luff pad. And I think it probably makes sense to use a one-piece sheet for this sail.

What knot do you use to secure the sheet to the sail? I've been using two separate sheets, tied with bowlines.

I'm glad to hear that you find sailing with this sail to be a "gentleman's sport." Even though I make no claim to such a title, the idea of sailing with a minimum of exertion has considerable appeal.

--Joe

Joe:

Not sure what the 'knot' is correctly called, but it's a version of the Prusk.
http://www.thepirateking.com/knots/knot_prusik.htm
Stop after step two or I suppose if you have any slipping (I never have) you could continue with the second wrap if you have room in your clew gromment.

Oswego John · Post by **Oswego John** » Feb 26th, '07, 16:03

Randy and Joe,

Not sure, but I think that maybe you are referring to the lark's head, cow hitch or lanyard hitch.

I, too, use one continuous sheet that is tied at it's center to the jib with a lark's head knot. One half of which is the busy sheet and the other half, the lazy sheet.

Think spring,
O J

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Feb 26th, '07, 16:09

Yes, OJ, I looked at Randy's reference to the beginnings of a Prussik knot, and it turns out to be a lark's head.

I'm wondering if that's all I'd need, or whether I should secure it in some way.

--Joe

Oswego John · Post by **Oswego John** » Feb 26th, '07, 16:25

- - - for the jib sheet.

Joe,

I guess that the main reason that I went for the lark's head knot was because it was less obtrusive than other knots that had a more evident profile.

The lark's head knot seems to have a flatter shape and is less likely to get hung up on anything while passing through during the tacking process.

Even under heavy load strain, I've never had the knot slip or loosen in any way.

O J

The Cape Dory Board

Jib sheets for 25D?

Jib sheets for 25D?

New Genny for 25D

Hey Joe

sheet sizes

Re: Jib sheets for 25D?

3/8 or 7/16 sheets

Jib Sheets

I've already got 3/8 sheets

Re: I've already got 3/8 sheets

Thanks, Randy

Re: Thanks, Randy

Jib Knot

Lark's head it is

Lark's Head Knot - - -