Blade jib to high clew conversion.

[jonjo]

I have an under used deck hugging blade jib cut to about 95% at present to comply as an irc storm job. The sail is x-cut in a heavy woven fabric and lives on the forestay furler in cruising mode.

Would it be practical to get this sail modified as a high clew jib?

My motivation is:

1. Depower the boat for cruising since the big performance rig often requires early reefing/furling.
2. Reduce the incidence of counter unfurling in the upper 1/3 of the sail on the furler.
3. Reduce genoa car position sensitivity and the problem that at a 40% furl I run out of car track forward of the inboard shrouds.
4. Enhance under jib visibility.

My concern is that as a result of slicing across the bottom cross cut sail panels to create a high clew the resultant stress along the foot of the new sail will pull diagonally across the weave.

 

[William_H]

It may be more practical to raise the foot off the deck ona strop.
However if you really want to cut the jib then you must look at the lay of the weave. It is likely to be square on the weave along the foot and this is desirable to minimise stretch.
If you take a handkerchief you will find that it will not stretch when pulled corner to corner along each side. Square to the weave or in line with warp or weft. However if you try pull from diagonal corners it will stretch a lot more. Called on the bias.sail cloth is the same.
it is also likely that the luff is cut on the square also. So cut material out of the area above the bottom panel. Or consult a sailmaker who will know what he is talking about even if I don't olewill

 

[Daydream believer]

Why do you not just ask your local sailmakers?

 

[MikeBz]

My concern is that as a result of slicing across the bottom cross cut sail panels to create a high clew the resultant stress along the foot of the new sail will pull diagonally across the weave.

I think you've hit the nail on the head there. However as part of the cut-down operation you could have some reinforcing added along the foot with the warp aligned to take the load.

Our (cruising) boat has a deck-hugging jib which I also don't like for exactly reasons 3 & 4 in your motivation list. If I were having a new sail made then it would have a high clew.