Booming Out A Jib Safely

[Dab]

In the Nautical Know-how section of the June PBO, there is article explaining how to boom out a jib safely.

Because the article is about safety, as opposed to convenience, speed or short handed, I am surprised it doesn't talk about using an after guy. This is the way I was taught and I think it has a number of safety advantages. Once you have got tension on the uphaul, downhaul and after guy, the end of the pole is fixed in space, so you have full control throughout the pole hoisting part. Because the pole is under full control, you can set up the pole independently of the foresail, so when you bring the foreails across you only have to worry about the foresail sheets without having the adsust the uphaul and downhaul at the same time to allow the end of the pole to come aft. Lastly, if anything happens, like a MOB, so that you have to re-rig the foresail for normal sailing, then all you have to do initially is release the extra sheet. The pole will can then sit there without banging about while you work throught he initial confusion and come up with plan, after which you you can sort it out at your leisure.

This may be over the top for an experienced or large racing (although they are more likely to be flying a spinnaker at this stage), but I would have thought it ideal for cruising.

All of this is very well described in John Goode's Let's Do It Under Sail artical from the May 1992 PBO, with excellent illustrations of the ropework from Dick Everitt.

This is the method I always use. Am I being too cautious? What do other forumites do?

 

[MoodySabre]

I pole out with a whisker pole so no uphaul or down haul. Just clip the pole on to the sheet not the bowline loop. I can then let go the genoa if I need to.

 

[davidej]

Since no one else has replied, here is my 2p worth.

I used to try fitting the pole to a foresail that was already unfurled and full of wind. Now, learning from my mistakes iI fit the pole with the genny full furled. I use an uphaul (the spinny haliard) to take the not inconsiderable weight of the pole, but have never found any need for a downhaul.

When the pole is in place and at the right height, I pull out as much of the genny as I require. If I need to gybe, I furl the genny and set the pole on the other side.

BTW, I haven't seen the article you refer to, so don't know if this is the recommended method.

 

[Dab]

In the article, both the uphaul and downhaul are used to control the pole, and a seperate sheet is led through the pole jaws and clipped onto the foresail clew, leaving both the original sheets lazy.

 

[fishermantwo]

I use a whisker pole made from a Windsurfer mast. I do use a topping lift and the inboard end of the pole clips to the side of the mast on the jumperstrut rings so the pole is much lower than the spinnaker pole.

 

[capnsensible]

In the article, both the uphaul and downhaul are used to control the pole, and a seperate sheet is led through the pole jaws and clipped onto the foresail clew, leaving both the original sheets lazy.

Uphaul, downhaul and guy, seperate sheet. Used exactly this in the jolly good Goode fashion on a number of transatlantics.

Brill, very safe and easily managed. Never found a better way in tens of thousands of miles.

But there might be one.....

 

[Poignard]

John Goode's method is the one I use.

For a short time in very light winds I sometimes sit on the coachroof holding the clew out with a boathook .

 

[tudorsailor]

In the Nautical Know-how section of the June PBO, there is article explaining how to boom out a jib safely.

Because the article is about safety, as opposed to convenience, speed or short handed, I am surprised it doesn't talk about using an after guy. This is the way I was taught and I think it has a number of safety advantages. Once you have got tension on the uphaul, downhaul and after guy, the end of the pole is fixed in space, so you have full control throughout the pole hoisting part. Because the pole is under full control, you can set up the pole independently of the foresail, so when you bring the foreails across you only have to worry about the foresail sheets without having the adsust the uphaul and downhaul at the same time to allow the end of the pole to come aft. Lastly, if anything happens, like a MOB, so that you have to re-rig the foresail for normal sailing, then all you have to do initially is release the extra sheet. The pole will can then sit there without banging about while you work throught he initial confusion and come up with plan, after which you you can sort it out at your leisure.

This may be over the top for an experienced or large racing (although they are more likely to be flying a spinnaker at this stage), but I would have thought it ideal for cruising.

All of this is very well described in John Goode's Let's Do It Under Sail artical from the May 1992 PBO, with excellent illustrations of the ropework from Dick Everitt.

This is the method I always use. Am I being too cautious? What do other forumites do?

Any chance you still have the article that you could scan and copy for me??????

Thanks

TS

 

[Seajet]

My spin / jib pole is carried upright on the front of the mast; slackening off the pole uphaul line lowers it to horizontal.

I then detach it from the mast track, clip the outer end onto the sheet ( never the sheet connecting shackle ) and push the pole out until I can put the inner end onto the mast track eye.

There is quite a push inboard from the pole in strong winds, so I am doubtful if this would be safe on boats a lot larger than my 22' job.

I did know a Fireball dinghy crew using an elasticated pole up / downhaul who somehow managed to accidentally fire the pole like a crossbow, straight through a brand new spinnaker !

 

[davidej]

I can sort of see why people use downhauls but with the weight of my pole, it seems otiose.

However whats with the extra sheet? Take it to a turning block much further aft like a spinney ? Never found any problem with the normal sheet.

Poling out a genny is meant to be a relaxing alternative to putting out the spinney -or cruising chute in my case. Why make it so complicated? My suspicion is that to be considered an 'expert', you need to tell everyone else they are wrong!

 

[Seajet]

I can sort of see why people use downhauls but with the weight of my pole, it seems otiose.

However whats with the extra sheet? Take it to a turning block much further aft like a spinney ? Never found any problem with the normal sheet.

Poling out a genny is meant to be a relaxing alternative to putting out the spinney -or cruising chute in my case. Why make it so complicated? My suspicion is that to be considered an 'expert', you need to tell everyone else they are wrong!

davidej,

like you I simply use the normal headsail sheets when poling out the foresail; I do have lighter 6mm sheets on swivel snap-shackles for the cruising chute & spinnaker, as they tend to be used in lighter winds when the weight of the jib sheets would prevent the sail setting.

 

[davidej]

Unless you take the heavier sheets off completely, they will still be hanging down from the clew - which I couldn't do as they are too high.

The reason I use an uphaul is to take the weight of the pole and the sheets so they are not dragging the clew down in light weather.

I must admit my pole is heavy -probably unnecessarily so by a factor of 2 or 3 or even 4. Again the problems of listening to an expert. I wanted to buy one of those lightweight telescopic ones but my co-owner insisted on consulting a mast maker who sold us his most expensive product.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Uphaul, downhaul and guy, seperate sheet. Used exactly this in the jolly good Goode fashion on a number of transatlantics.

Brill, very safe and easily managed. Never found a better way in tens of thousands of miles.

But there might be one.....

I worked for John Goode in the late 80's and I agree - its the way I learned and it worked really well. Covers all the bases and its the one I use.

John Goode's method is the one I use.

For a short time in very light winds I sometimes sit on the coachroof holding the clew out with a boathook .

I have been know to do the same!

I can sort of see why people use downhauls but with the weight of my pole, it seems otiose.

However whats with the extra sheet? Take it to a turning block much further aft like a spinney ? Never found any problem with the normal sheet.

Poling out a genny is meant to be a relaxing alternative to putting out the spinney -or cruising chute in my case. Why make it so complicated? My suspicion is that to be considered an 'expert', you need to tell everyone else they are wrong!

The reason is that its very easy for the wind to build and you not notice it until it all starts to get a bit hairy. With the pole set up rigidly as suggested, then you can gybe the genoa onto the other tack or roll it away and then go to the mast and de-rig the pole in comfort. Your downwind easy run can turn into a nightmare very quickly. Its also designed for longer offshore passages perhaps? Not the quick downwind gentle run in confined waters. Seamanship will tell you which way to rig the poled out genoa for the best in different circumstances? Setting up the pole with uphaul foreguy and after guy isn't a lot of work...?

The extra sheet is in case you want to sail upwind in an emergency - the sheet through the pole is ignored and you use the normal sheet in the normal way and sail up wind with the pole still rigged. You might have to roll some genoa away, but that's a lot quicker than de-rigging a pole if there's someone gone overboard.

 

[GrahamM376]

My spin / jib pole is carried upright on the front of the mast; slackening off the pole uphaul line lowers it to horizontal.

I then detach it from the mast track, clip the outer end onto the sheet ( never the sheet connecting shackle ) and push the pole out until I can put the inner end onto the mast track eye.

There is quite a push inboard from the pole in strong winds, so I am doubtful if this would be safe on boats a lot larger than my 22' job.

I do it much the same as you except that my pole is kept at deck level. Works OK most of the time on 38ft boat but don't stand in line with the pole end!

 

[john_morris_uk]

I do it much the same as you except that my pole is kept at deck level. Works OK most of the time on 38ft boat but don't stand in line with the pole end!

Its fine so long as the wind will let you do it. The problem is that if the wind gets up and (heaven forbid) you had someone go over the side and you need to de-rig then you can be in a VERY dangerous situation. The forces on the pole in strong winds are large and unpredictable as the boat rolls and the wind gusts. With respect, its much safer to do it the slightly more complicated way that has been described. You might 'get away' with doing it the way you describe, but especially in a larger boat, its potentially very risky.

 

[GrahamM376]

Its fine so long as the wind will let you do it. The problem is that if the wind gets up and (heaven forbid) you had someone go over the side and you need to de-rig then you can be in a VERY dangerous situation. The forces on the pole in strong winds are large and unpredictable as the boat rolls and the wind gusts. With respect, its much safer to do it the slightly more complicated way that has been described. You might 'get away' with doing it the way you describe, but especially in a larger boat, its potentially very risky.

Yes, it can get a bit tricky at times, that's why I say don't stand in-line with the end of the pole, it could push someone overboard. I do sometimes use a downhaul, depending on conditions. I can see the sense in having a second sheet, presumably this is fed loose through the pole so there's no load on it whilst rigging the pole?

 

[john_morris_uk]

Yes, it can get a bit tricky at times, that's why I say don't stand in-line with the end of the pole, it could push someone overboard. I do sometimes use a downhaul, depending on conditions. I can see the sense in having a second sheet, presumably this is fed loose through the pole so there's no load on it whilst rigging the pole?

Yes that's about the long and the short of it. It means you can set the pole up and Gybe the genoa onto it from the safety of the cockpit. Saves doing a dance with a loaded up pole on the foredeck by the mast.

 

[Dab]

John Morris is doing such a good job I almost hesitate to jump back in! My my original line of argumentwas was about safety, not speed, or convenience or simplicity. Like most things in sailing there is more than one way to do things. You can get away with more with smaller more lightly loaded sails, and light poles, but when something goes wrong, nothing beats the ability to deal with the sail immediately without worrying about what the end of the pole is doing, or having to re-run jib sheets because you adjusted them to stop them rubbing on the guardwires. Another thing I like about it is that because setting up the pole is completely independant of the sail, it is easy to practice without a sail in sight.

 

[davidej]

I worked for John Goode in the late 80's and I agree - its the way I learned and it worked really well. Covers all the bases and its the one I use.

I have been know to do the same!

The reason is that its very easy for the wind to build and you not notice it until it all starts to get a bit hairy. With the pole set up rigidly as suggested, then you can gybe the genoa onto the other tack or roll it away and then go to the mast and de-rig the pole in comfort. Your downwind easy run can turn into a nightmare very quickly. Its also designed for longer offshore passages perhaps? Not the quick downwind gentle run in confined waters. Seamanship will tell you which way to rig the poled out genoa for the best in different circumstances? Setting up the pole with uphaul foreguy and after guy isn't a lot of work...?

The extra sheet is in case you want to sail upwind in an emergency - the sheet through the pole is ignored and you use the normal sheet in the normal way and sail up wind with the pole still rigged. You might have to roll some genoa away, but that's a lot quicker than de-rigging a pole if there's someone gone overboard.

De-powering in a hurry is absolutely no probs. I just roll the jenny up in the normal way and the pole would rest against the rolled up sail until I was ready to take it off.

Going to windward wuld take longer as I would have to get the pole down and disconnect the sheet from the outer end of the pole.

I haven't seen the PBO recommended method but I cannot imagine how you could luff right up onto a beat without getting the pole away.

 

[capnsensible]

Its because the pole is fixed with uphaul, guy and downhaul/foreguy and a seperate sheet has been used through the pole. Ergo as you luff, you trim in on the normal sheet, hey presto.

No banging around of an uncontrolled pole. Safe.

It works, used it loads. And loads!