Genoa/Jib Sheet Track Positions

[savageseadog]

I'm OK on the inboard/outboard situation but what angle should the tracks be to the fore and aft centreline. I've seen tracks angled such that they point at the bow of the boat and I've seen virtually the reverse ie the rear of the track point at the mid stern . I'm talking about bermudan sloop rigged yachts by the way.

 

[ebbtide]

Start with how you find the sheet should run and build from there -
You don't have to rebuild your deck layout if a barberhauler will do the trick.

 

[sailorman]

wot boat ???

 

[William_H]

The angle of the track will determine the inboard /outboard dimension for the different jibs or jib size. So tracks pointing at the bow will give a smaller sheeting angle for the smaller jibs. A spreading track willl give a larger sheeting angle for smaller jibs.
Which is best. I don't know. A smaller jib is used in stronger winds and a wider sheeting angle will give less power and stress and probably OK for pointing in strong winds.
A smaller sheeting angle in strong winds may give you better pointing into the wind but probably less power (drive forward against big seas).
Obviously adjustable sheeting angle is best but as this option is usually only available on ocean racers. (maxi Yachts) i think I would prefer the wider sheeting angle in wild weather .

The maxi yachts I have seen Leopard was your UK entry in last years Sydney to Hobart and other maxis had a sideways track adjacent to the mast or a little aft. This carried a block which carried a line adjustable which went vertically to a ring through which the jib sheet passed. the line is adjustable to get the sheet pulling at the jib at the correct angle in a vertical direction. While the sheeting angle inboard outboard was adjusted by the pulley on the track. Note however that they only use blade type high aspect ratio jibs with small overlap.

I have used a barber hauler to get a wider sheeting angle (and further forward for reaching with success. It is a bit tedious with more lines though. good luck olewill

 

[savageseadog]

That's a comprehensive reply thanks. The ultimate solution is twin parallel ineer and outer tracks. On the two different boats in question by the same designer I wondered if it was the designers spec or the builder was using his own judgement. On many boats there is the toe rail which allows you to do almost anything.

 

[Twister_Ken]

"On many boats there is the toe rail which allows you to do almost anything."

I'd make sure first that the toe rail and its attachments are engineered to take the sort of point load that a genoa in a breeze can exert.