Best genoa sheet knot ?

[Boo2]

Hi,

My boat has twin genoa sheets and I wondered what is the best way to attach them to the sail ? I've heard of people using bowlines but is there any reason not to use the halyard knot shown in the Selden guide (p14) ? Or is it better to splice in loops and pass the sheet through them ?

Thanks,

Boo2

 

[sailorman]

Hi,

My boat has twin genoa sheets and I wondered what is the best way to attach them to the sail ? I've heard of people using bowlines but is there any reason not to use the halyard knot shown in the Selden guide (p14) ? Or is it better to splice in loops and pass the sheet through them ?

Thanks,

Boo2

i use small bowlines,

 

[MoodySabre]

A halyard knot is essential a slip knot that gets very tight. It would wreck the corner of the sail. Bowlines as Sailorman says. I tie them with the bulk of the knot on the outside so they don't catch so readily on the babystay. Some people then cross the sheets over and whip them together for a couple of inches so there is nothing to catch on stays when tacking.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Youe BEST solution(although you will have to buy a new sheet) is to have it double the normal length and put a bowline in the centre. This way the sheet NEVER jams on the shrouds/baby stay or other rigging. My experience with two sheets and bowlines is that they always foul when tacking. If you go the single sheet idea trap a couple of short lengths of 10mm three strand rope in the bights and the bowline will come undone easily at layup by teasing out the bits of three strand.
I've used this method the last three years and I'll never go back to bowlines. To even the wear I move bowline slightly each year.

 

[Poignard]

Some people then cross the sheets over and whip them together for a couple of inches so there is nothing to catch on stays when tacking.

That's a good idea! I'll try that.

 

[Tranona]

Hi,

My boat has twin genoa sheets and I wondered what is the best way to attach them to the sail ? I've heard of people using bowlines but is there any reason not to use the halyard knot shown in the Selden guide (p14) ? Or is it better to splice in loops and pass the sheet through them ?

Thanks,

Boo2

Many different ways of doing it. Bowlines are easiest, so try that first to see if they are a problem when tacking. Single length with a large eye in the middle with a short piece of 3 strand and a ball or figure of 8 on the end is another way as is same idea but with two sheets.

You really have to try it first and do what works for you. Biggest problem is if you have a very large overlapping genoa and an inner or baby stay, when it is very difficult not to get hang ups.

 

[Bobc]

Bowlines are fine.

 

[neil_s]

I have tried doubled sheets with a rope shackle (very neat when the sail is rolled up). I have tried single sheets with a sheet bend to a strop in the cringle and various other clever ideas but the best way to attach sheets to a headsail, I think, is bowlines, tied as moody sabre suggests, so that they slide easily over the shrouds as you tack. You do this by threading the sheet through the cringle from the opposite side before tying the knot. ie, for the starboard sheet, pass it through the cringle from the port side of the sail and vice versa. You could have some fun by trying it for yourself!

Neil

 

[minkysailing]

Hi,

My boat has twin genoa sheets and I wondered what is the best way to attach them to the sail ? I've heard of people using bowlines but is there any reason not to use the halyard knot shown in the Selden guide (p14) ? Or is it better to splice in loops and pass the sheet through them ?

Thanks,

Boo2

The simple reason why most people use the Bowline is that it is easy to tie and easy to remove even when it has been under load. Using knots such as a blood knot etc will require the sheet to be cut to remove it from the sail and the knot as already mentioned can actually damage the clew of the sail. On racing boats etc other solutions can be found to prevent as indicated snagging when tacking and these thimble-like devices are popular and easy to use.

 

[ditchcrawler]

I have separate sheets with a soft eye in each end and they are attached to the clew using a dyneema rope shackle.This is the best option for me as it does not snag on the babystay.

 

[ReggieK]

I use bowlines. Usually no problem, but always have to remember not to let the sail flog or it will shake out the knots.

 

[rob2]

When I bought my boat the sheets were one continuous line cow hitched in the middle to the sail - absolutley no snagging. But when I wanted to get them off I had to cut them. I now use bowlines on each, but with the smallest possible loop and long tails so they can't work loose. I like the idea of soft eyes and dyneema shackle, though.

Rob.

 

[prv]

When I bought my boat the sheets were one continuous line cow hitched in the middle to the sail - absolutley no snagging. But when I wanted to get them off I had to cut them.

My sheets are also cow-hitched. Never had any trouble undoing them; can't really imagine how the knot could tighten beyond the capability of a good spike.

Doesn't seem to prevent snagging though . I've re-reeved the staysail sheets inside the shrouds so that the sail sets properly close-hauled (now sets badly on a reach; the two seem to be mutually exclusive; I deemed windward work to be more critical) but it now snags on the shrouds if you leave it too late in the tack to bring it in

Pete

 

[rob2]

My sheets are also cow-hitched. Never had any trouble undoing them; can't really imagine how the knot could tighten beyond the capability of a good spike.

I think the previous owner left them on for at least five years and the core had collapsed!

the two seem to be mutually exclusive; Pete

If anyone knows of a neat solution, there's probably a reward! I know of one guy who has two sets of sheets, one inside the rail and one outside on separate cars.

Rob.

 

[prv]

I think the previous owner left them on for at least five years and the core had collapsed!

Playing fair, I should also admit that the loads on mine are never any higher than can be applied by a strong man by hand (I have no winches or tackles).

I know of one guy who has two sets of sheets, one inside the rail and one outside on separate cars.

Must admit, I've briefly considered it. Don't really like the idea though, as I already have plenty of lines over the sides of the cockpit and involved in each tack. Jib sheet, staysail sheet, running backstay, where an AWB would have a single genoa sheet. Plus the two furling lines cluttering the place up as well.

Perhaps I should just remove those shrouds . There's another one 18" further aft anyway, right?

Pete

 

[Stu Jackson]

Just remember when you tie the bowline to do it in the right direction, facing away from the sail facing aft, or else you'll never get it out.

 

[Cantata]

I have separate sheets with a soft eye in each end and they are attached to the clew using a dyneema rope shackle.This is the best option for me as it does not snag on the babystay.

Pardon my ignorance but what do you mean by a 'rope shackle'?

 

[Lodesman77]

Pardon my ignorance but what do you mean by a 'rope shackle'?

A quick forum search gives:-

http://www.ybw.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-227401.html

A quick Google seach gives:-

http://www.jimmygreen.co.uk/search?qs=liros+soft+shackles

 

[Cantata]

Ooooh....I didn't realise they were things you bought, I thought they were things you made. OK...thanks. Interesting. Never seen one, must pay more attention.

 

[Lodesman77]

Nothing stopping you making one. How's your Dyneema splicing?
.