JibSheet Replacement

[Fire99]

Hi guys,

This is real novice stuff here but stick with me, i'm still very new to the shift from engines to sails.

I'm doing some 'new boat' checks and have noticed the Jib-Sheets are frayed down both sides so intend to replace.

I've gathered so far that I need braid on braid rope. (a good start )

The current setup is a single line with a loop that connects to a shackle and then that to the headsail. (which is a hank on)

Any suggestions on this or is it simply a case of finding the diameter (6 8 or 10mm) and replacing like for like?

Fairly basic stuff but any suggestions would be appreciated.

rgds,

Nick

 

[Marsupial]

Nick,

It would be nice to know what type of boat you have that needs new sheets but in general you buy sheets based on how they feel and if you can grip them. The result is that they tend to be oversized in terms of strength but easy to grip and tail round winches.

 

[exfinnsailor]

Jib Sheets

You can do it with seperate sheets .. Just put a bowline in when you fasten it to the sail..
Using seperate sheets also means that you can turn them round so they wear in a different place .. Sounds like yours have been fitted because its easier to fit a shackle to the sail than tie a couple of bowlines .. Braided rope is ideal as it will work with your winches .. Use the same size that is fitted .. If you find the sheet hard to handle ie a bit thin then go up a size to something you feel happy with ..

 

[Fire99]

Nick,

It would be nice to know what type of boat you have that needs new sheets but in general you buy sheets based on how they feel and if you can grip them. The result is that they tend to be oversized in terms of strength but easy to grip and tail round winches.

Ah.. It's a little Snapdragon 23 with a Hank-on Headsail.

The sheet is frayed through it's outer thread on a section on both sides.

 

[Fire99]

You can do it with seperate sheets .. Just put a bowline in when you fasten it to the sail..
Using seperate sheets also means that you can turn them round so they wear in a different place .. Sounds like yours have been fitted because its easier to fit a shackle to the sail than tie a couple of bowlines .. Braided rope is ideal as it will work with your winches .. Use the same size that is fitted .. If you find the sheet hard to handle ie a bit thin then go up a size to something you feel happy with ..

Excellent. Thanks for that.

I did wonder about the separate Sheet solution but thought i'd best check, since now i've moved to Sailing i'm very much down the ladder when it comes to sail knowledge.

 

[sailorman]

Ah.. It's a little Snapdragon 23 with a Hank-on Headsail.

The sheet is frayed through it's outer thread on a section on both sides.

12 m/m matt braid on braid
use 2 sheets with a bowline ( you can then end 4 end them to spread the wear ) . the shackle is dangerous when flapping about

 

[Fire99]

12 m/m matt braid on braid
use 2 sheets with a bowline ( you can then end 4 end them to spread the wear ) . the shackle is dangerous when flapping about

Thanks alot for that Good point about the shackle. hadn't thought of that.

 

[Spyro]

Thanks alot for that Good point about the shackle. hadn't thought of that.

12mm is nice to handle but quite hefty on a 23ft boat.

 

[Fire99]

12mm is nice to handle but quite hefty on a 23ft boat.

I'll have a measure up of what's already there. I'm guessing it's 10mm but we will see when I have a nose.

 

[Fantasie 19]

I'm just about to do the same thing on my Fantasie (she's 19') - I'm getting 10 metres of 10mm...

I have an eye spliced into the middle of mine - I'll do the same with the new one, and attach it using a shackle (like the current one)...

 

[William_H]

Jib Sheets

Yes I think 10mm might be better than 12mm. Too big can be too cumbersome on the winches although bigger is easier to handle. Make thm a bit longer so you can shorten them if they get worn at ends.
On my little 21fter jib sheets get really hard work. We tack a lot in racing and the cam cleats are not always kind to the rope.
As said a shackle can be a bit dangerous flying around. Another advantage of bowlines at the jib clew is that each time you tie them on you tend to tie in a different place so move the point of high wear along the rope. You can exagerate this deliberately if you want. ie longer or shorter tails on the bowlines.
There has been a lot of discussion on this forum about actual jib attachment. Bowline is easiest but if you find it gets caught on things as you tack then there are other options.

Most of the contributors however have furling jibs so don't change jibs and sheets as much as you and I do.
Don't be ina rush to convert to furling however as individual jibs certainly sail to windward better than a furling type. good luck olewill

 

[Fire99]

Yes I think 10mm might be better than 12mm. Too big can be too cumbersome on the winches although bigger is easier to handle. Make thm a bit longer so you can shorten them if they get worn at ends.
On my little 21fter jib sheets get really hard work. We tack a lot in racing and the cam cleats are not always kind to the rope.
As said a shackle can be a bit dangerous flying around. Another advantage of bowlines at the jib clew is that each time you tie them on you tend to tie in a different place so move the point of high wear along the rope. You can exagerate this deliberately if you want. ie longer or shorter tails on the bowlines.
There has been a lot of discussion on this forum about actual jib attachment. Bowline is easiest but if you find it gets caught on things as you tack then there are other options.

Most of the contributors however have furling jibs so don't change jibs and sheets as much as you and I do.
Don't be ina rush to convert to furling however as individual jibs certainly sail to windward better than a furling type. good luck olewill

Thanks alot for the info.

When I was doing sailing courses we had furling jibs/genoas and can see the practical benefit. However, my boat is a triple keel and i'm not sure what her windward performance is like so certainly wouldn't want to compromise that in any way at this stage.

Anyway, part of the fun is experimenting and I have a good number of head sails to try out so furling systems are far from my mind at the mo.

 

[Marsupial]

Shackles Hurt!

Please take heed of the advice re shackles, you only need to be hit with one once to convince you that bowlines are on balance better.

 

[TheBoatman]

This might be useful?

Hi and welcome.

All the replies that you have recieved seem to be good advice but just as an aside you might like to look at this site?

http://www.sailingnetworks.com/organisation/view/149

I'm sure that these "other" Snapdragon owners may be able to help you in the future.

Peter.
TheBoatman

 

[PetiteFleur]

On my boat, admittedly larger, I have converted from 2 sheets with bowlines to a single sheet with a bowline in the centre. It's much better and never snags on the babystay. I do modify the bowline in that I add two short pieces of disposable rope in the knot so when it needs to be removed these can be pulled/cut out and therefore making the knot easy to untie. I'll reposition the rope each year.

 

[Fire99]

Hi and welcome.

All the replies that you have recieved seem to be good advice but just as an aside you might like to look at this site?

http://www.sailingnetworks.com/organisation/view/149

I'm sure that these "other" Snapdragon owners may be able to help you in the future.

Peter.
TheBoatman

Hi Pete,

Funnily enough i've looked on the Owners Association page since at some point one of the owners of my boat was a member.
However the website seems pretty bare with very little info on it so i'm not sure if the club is still really active.

 

[Fire99]

I get the advice on the shackle point and i'm sure many people have their own preferences.
I'll take another look today but will probably go with the dual sheet and bowline option. I recon that will do very nicely.

as ever, thanks all for the advice.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Snapdragon and Mirage Owners Assoc

'Funnily enough i've looked on the Owners Association page since at some point one of the owners of my boat was a member.
However the website seems pretty bare with very little info on it so i'm not sure if the club is still really active.[/QUOTE]'

I have a Mirage 28 which shares the same Owners Association website. Useful information on their site is sparse - I always look here for info.

Any comments from Snapdragon and Mirage Owners Assoc?

 

[ianat182]

Jib sheet replacement

A further option you could consider is to have a continuous jibsheet;this means each end of the sheet is put through the clew of the jib and a knot tied on each end. Quite useful when single handing and less sheet cluttering up the cockpit. A sheet that is 2 boat lengths will be just about right. 10mm sheets would probably be as large/comfortable to handle. Unless you have a babystay ahead of the mast you are unlikely to have rigging/sheet chafe.


Ianat182

 

[Fire99]

I have a Mirage 28 which shares the same Owners Association website. Useful information on their site is sparse - I always look here for info.

Any comments from Snapdragon and Mirage Owners Assoc?

I'm tempted (and at this stage it's only tempted) to contact the site owner and maybe offer to take it up a notch or two, depending on how many mirage/snappy owners there are still out there and interested in the site.