Hi Brian,
It is a good idea and I think many or most on this list have their boats
rigged with a jib downhaul. And it's an essential element if you want to
control all functions of the boat from the cockpit.
One problem that I've encountered with my jib downhaul is that the working
jib, which has the twist type nylon headstay clips, often fouls when dropped
with the downhaul. My genoa has the brass spring clips and the downhaul
operation works very nicely.
The system is very simple, a light line going from the jib halyard shackle
down to a small block at the stem head, turning the line back to the
cockpit. A cleat somewhere at the aft end of the cabin will allow you to
keep the line shipshape when the jib is up and keep the halyard tight when
the jib is down.
If you need to drop the jib in a hurry, it's the only way to go,especially
on our small boats, where going forward is not only dangerous, but changes
everything about the way the boat sails.
Fair Tides,
Rick Langer
M15 #337
Bluebird
Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2006 11:57:54 -0400
From: Brian Gilbert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: M_Boats: Poor man's roller furling... does it work?
To: <[email protected]>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Hi Everybody:
I'm curious about something... has anybody ever used a jib downhaul to
control their headsail on their boats? You know, where you tie a light
line
to the head of the jib abd run it through a small block at the stem of the
boat. A pull from the cockpit is supposed to bring the jib down without
having to send a crew forward. If you've ever tried it, does it work?
It seems like a good idea, but if it worked, I'd imagine more folks would
have their boats rigged that way, and it seems we never hear of anyone
actually using a jib downhaul. I'd suppose you'd need halyards led to the
cockpit as well.
Just wondering!
Best
BG
_______________________________________________
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
