Baggy Jib Sail

[Richard D]

I have recently got a one off boat, a 32 foot Palmer and feel the jib sheet is far too big for the boat as i cannot get the foot tight and is baggy all the time. Also the the leach seems to be too far back and even with the traveller all the way back it is pulling the leach almost vertically down rather than backwards. Does the above sound as if the sail is too big.
If it is too big how do I go about getting it remade or a new one made when no one knows what the measurements should be, being a one off and no history?

Regards Richard

 

[lw395]

Take some photos and ask a local sailmaker.

You could also consider extending the sheet track, or sheeting the sail to the turning block, with a barber hauler (floating pulley) pulling the sheet down toward s the track?

Assuming the tack of the sail cannot be moved further down the forestay?

 

[rob2]

It does sound as though the sail doesn't fit. It's not that uncommon to fin a large, overlapping genoa for which you can't get the sheeting point far enough aft and the boat will sail better with a few rolls on the reefing gear so that you can get the sheeting angle correct and the sail drawing properly.

Whichever way you choose to go, you'll need the dimensions of the boat and rig to give to the sailmaker. If the sail is old and stretched then re-cutting it will only give it a short lease of life and some sailmakers won't touch it, after all if his new stitching just tears away you won't think much of the job!

Have a look at a few sailmakers' websites and download the most comprehensive measurement sheet you can find. Ideally it will require you to measure the length of the mast to deck level, the length of the forestay and the horizontal distance from the tack of the jib to the mast (I, P & J). A good data sheet will also require that you measure the position of the genoa tracks fore and aft and laterally - this will determine the ideal clew height to allow you to achieve correct sheeting within the available adjustment. Armed with these details, you can take your existing sail to the sail loft and discuss which alternative will suit the boat and your wallet the best.

Rob.

 

[prv]

Your sheet lead is too far forward. If there's no more track left to move it aft, then yes it sounds like the sail is too big.

Pete

 

[smth448]

It does sound like your sail is too big. It was probably second hand when your one off was built and may have been "near enough".
I would go to a local sailmaker and get him to come out and measure the boat. That way you can be certain of getting a replacement that will fit perfectly. If not you can blame the sailmaker. At the same time he could advise on recutting the existing sail, but as others have already said, it will probably not be worth it.
This is a good time of year to approach sailmakers as trhey will have very little work on so should offer good discounts.

 

[William_H]

jib size

You do not say if it is a hank on jib or it has roller reefing. Certainly in seems like the jib is too big.
If it is a furling type a sail make would probably cut the leach off and remake the eyelet for the jib sheet.
If it is a small sail you may be able cut it down your self but bigger sails need heavier sewing machine and bigger eyelets. All easy for a sailmaker but not so easy DIY.
The size of the sail is always a compromise so any size will be perfect for some conditions. So if you sail in light winds a big sail is good. If you sail in stronger winds then smaller is much better. Certainly if it is a hank on jib then you will need a smaller jib anyway for strong winds. Look around for something second hand.
For a furling sail then large is good for light winds and you can furl it for strong winds. But it is never that simple and a smaller sail not furled will always go to windward better than a large one furled.
This from someone who does not like furling jibs and carries 4 jibs on board for the perfect match to the wind strength.
Certainly for any windward sailing you must have room to stretch the luff up the forestay and room to move the jib sheet car back (and forward) to get the perfect set. You may get away with another pulley mounted on a saddle aft of the track for the jib sheet. You also may be able to lower the jib down the forestay which has a similar effect to moving the jib car back. (NB not normally called the traveller. That name is for the main sheet pulley on track)
good luck olewill

 

[BAtoo]

As others have said it sounds as though the sail is too long. Re-cutting is probably not something I would do - done it once & not impressed.
Plenty of secondhand sails around (Seateach, Saturn etc) & this would probably give you a better sail. Look for one with a similar luff length and a foot a bit longer than the distance from the fore-stay to the mast which will give you a head-sail of around 110-120% (normal working sail size)
Or splash the cash & get a new one made & make sure the sailmaker comes and measures your boat first.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Sounds to me like you need a new sail.

 

[Richard D]

Been away, so sorry I have not replied sooner to all the welcome and knowledgeable advice. It seems that my feeling it is too big is right and a sailmaker is required.
Thanks to all.

Richard

 

[Daydream believer]

Some furlers are designed to allow a section to be removed to allow the jib to hank to the deck but cannot furl if thus fixed. My Facnor has a segment that can be removed by removing some allen screws. It would not be obvious without the instructions
This would allow you to fit the jib a bot lower
You could also try hanking a block above each car such that the leadout. Is higher thus easing the leach. It has the same effect as moving the car further aft.
I have a wrongly cut Genoa & have done this

 

[Lakesailor]

I've found that sailing in reasonably light airs you can pull the sheet about by hand (if you have taken it out of the track) and find a spot that creates the right tension in both foot and leech. Now you know where your track needs to be. Moving the track will cost you a few quid (some Sikaflex and bolts).

Otherwise go down the sailmaker route. But be aware that the balance of the boat will be altered by a smaller headsail.

 

[dt4134]

Been away, so sorry I have not replied sooner to all the welcome and knowledgeable advice. It seems that my feeling it is too big is right and a sailmaker is required.
Thanks to all.

Richard

Not the only solution. You could fit a U bolt to the deck aft of the track, fit a block to it and run a tweaker line (barber hauler) from a block around the sheet, down and around the block attached to the U-bolt and off to a jammer. If my description isn't clear let me know & I'll try drawing it.

 

[William_H]

Not the only solution. You could fit a U bolt to the deck aft of the track, fit a block to it and run a tweaker line (barber hauler) from a block around the sheet, down and around the block attached to the U-bolt and off to a jammer. If my description isn't clear let me know & I'll try drawing it.

I think you have got it a bit confused. The U bolt would hold a pulley which would be used as the jib sheeting point. ie sheet from clew to the new pulley then to the winch. If that is too far aft then a tweaker using the existing pulley on track could be used to pull the sheet down via a pulley on the jib sheet. This would simulate moving the sheeting point forward.
good luck olewill