Jib Sheets
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- Old Salt
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Jib Sheets
I have read about many different ways of attaching jib sheets to the jib. On my wee boat I have been using a small snapshackle which was held in the centre of the sheet by some whipping. The whipping has now fallen apart so I am trying a new method. I have run the sheet through the clew and tied a figure of eight knot each side of, and as close to the clew as I can manage. Do you think that this will work? Thanks.
- marisca
- Yellow Admiral
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Re: Jib Sheets
the way I have seen but never tried (I use a cow hitch on one sail and bowlines on others) is a loop and a tail whipped into/onto the sheets. The loop is poked through the clew cringle and the tail put through the loop.
- Silkie
- Admiral of the Fleet
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Re: Jib Sheets
I have a one piece sheet secured to the clew cringle with cow hitch variant. Basically a cow hitch with an extra turn around the tails, like this:
we can be heroes
- aquaplane
- Admiral of the White Rose
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Re: Jib Sheets
Aquaplane had one continuous rope with a loop in the middle poked through the clew and both sheets then through the loop as Marisca said.
The Mirror had a knot either side of the clew cringle.
All other boats use bowlines.
The Mirror had a knot either side of the clew cringle.
All other boats use bowlines.
Seminole.
Cheers Bob.
Cheers Bob.
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- Old Salt
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Re: Jib Sheets
I have used bowlines - and have had problems, albeit minor, with them catching on various bits of rigging. I have used the cowhitch method and found that by the end of the season the knot was too tight to undo and I had to cut the rope. I'll see how my method works on Wednesday. Thanks all.
- ash
- Yellow Admiral
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Re: Jib Sheets
aquaplane wrote:Aquaplane had one continuous rope with a loop in the middle poked through the clew and both sheets then through the loop ..
That's what I have, I thought that was a cow hitch. I've heard that it will damage the sail, but I've found it OK. I managed to open the knot and remove the sheet for washing over the winter. Despite appearances, it doesn't slip. I think that it is less likely to catch on the shrouds.
I thought that Marisca was describing the other system where you have an extra piece of line whipped on which pokes through the loop like a marlin spike.
Ash
"This is a sailing Forum"
Albin Vega "Mistral" is now sold
Albin Vega "Mistral" is now sold
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- Old Salt
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Re: Jib Sheets
bowlines are the simplest and easiest and mean you can easily remove one or both sheets if necessary (if a sheet gets chafed or damaged.
Alternatively, splice a loop in the end of each sheet (not easy if braided rope, simple if dyneema) and use a soft shackle to attach all to the sail. Hardware/steel shackles at the end of a sheet flapping in the wind is not a great idea.
Alternatively, splice a loop in the end of each sheet (not easy if braided rope, simple if dyneema) and use a soft shackle to attach all to the sail. Hardware/steel shackles at the end of a sheet flapping in the wind is not a great idea.
- Nick
- Admiral of the Blue
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Re: Jib Sheets
.
I've used a cowhitch and managed - with a bit of effort - to get the knot untied after three seasons or longer. I have had the same genoa sheets since purchasing them in Kilmore Quay in 2006 on the way to Spain and I don't think they have been removed from the sail more than 3 times max.
It is far superior to any other method on any other boat I have sailed from the pov of not snagging on the shrouds (or anything else).
I've used a cowhitch and managed - with a bit of effort - to get the knot untied after three seasons or longer. I have had the same genoa sheets since purchasing them in Kilmore Quay in 2006 on the way to Spain and I don't think they have been removed from the sail more than 3 times max.
It is far superior to any other method on any other boat I have sailed from the pov of not snagging on the shrouds (or anything else).
- Booby Trapper
- Old Salt
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Re: Jib Sheets
Bought new rope for genoa sheets last season and thought I'd try the cow hitch. I was a bit dubious thinking it may slip but it never has. Maybe more to do with the rope being braid on braid. easy enough to get undone end of last season. I wish I'd used this method years ago. never catches now when tacking.


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- Old Salt
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Re: Jib Sheets
If my double figure of eight doesn't work I'll give the cowhitch another try.
- DaveS
- Yellow Admiral
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Re: Jib Sheets
I used a variant on a previous boat which had hanked on jibs. A continuous jib sheet had a seized and sewn loop in the middle. Each jib had a length of line attached to the clew by either another seized and sewn loop or possibly a bowline - I forget. This was then attached to the sheet loop using a double sheet bend which could be easily untied even after heavy load.
I currently use two jib sheets and bowlines, but they do occasionally catch and I'm thinking about converting to something better, possibly involving a soft shackle.
I currently use two jib sheets and bowlines, but they do occasionally catch and I'm thinking about converting to something better, possibly involving a soft shackle.
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- Old Salt
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Re: Jib Sheets
Just a wee update ... I tried a figure of 8 each side of the clew and it worked but didn't look right and I was concerned that the clew had a few inches to slide on the sheet at each tack and might have caused premature wear so I have reverted to a cow hitch as suggested. My jibs are hanked on but as I only really use 2 of them, I have separate sheets for each jib and they now stay attached.
- mm5aho
- Old Salt
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Re: Jib Sheets
What annoys me about genoa sheets is them catching on the stays or shrouds. I like the look of the cow hitch, but that probably only works for a single rope forming both sheets?
I have two sheets, one with red fleck and one with green (to remind which is stbd and which port!), any suggestions for individual sheet attachment?
I have two sheets, one with red fleck and one with green (to remind which is stbd and which port!), any suggestions for individual sheet attachment?
Geoff.
"Contender" Rival 32: Roseneath this winter, Gourock in summer.
"Contender" Rival 32: Roseneath this winter, Gourock in summer.
- Booby Trapper
- Old Salt
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Re: Jib Sheets
Prob best for single sheets is a bowline with the bite taped down
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