Rigging a storm jib

[Travelling Westerly]

Maybe a stupid question but I'm not sure so here goes.

I'm going to try my storm sails out so I get used to setting them up if I ever need them.

My storm jib set up seems straight forward, hanked on to my removable inner forestay, hoised with storm jib halyard, set up some storm jib sheets but thats when I run into a problem. My furled away genoa sheets are using the sheet cars so where do I route the storm jib sheets? Am I supposed to remove the furled genoa sheets and use them on the storm jib instead? That would free up the sheet car issue but how would I keep my furled genoa secure with no sheets wrapped around it? The clew is very high up when furled and would be difficult for me to reach to tie up with a bit of temp line.

Thanks

 

[michael_w]

Either lead the storm jib sheets through the same cars, as the jib is high clewed, they'll probably be in the right place and there's usually space to get two sheets through. Or, buy another set of cars.

 

[DJE]

I fitted a second set of cars and double-stacked the turning blocks which lead onto the winches to make it easier to use the removeable inner forestay. The turning blocks have jammers on them so I can leave the genoa sheets rigged when I have a jib on the inner forestay.

 

[westhinder]

I have the same set up as the OP. I wrap the genoa sheets a couple more times around the rolled genoa so it remains firmly rolled and tie them off on a cleat on the foredeck. That frees up the genoa cars, turning blocks and primary winches.

 

[Travelling Westerly]

I have the same set up as the OP. I wrap the genoa sheets a couple more times around the rolled genoa so it remains firmly rolled and tie them off on a cleat on the foredeck. That frees up the genoa cars, turning blocks and primary winches.

Ah now thats a good idea - appreciate this advice -I'm going to go with this- cheers

 

[dom]

I fitted a second set of cars and double-stacked the turning blocks which lead onto the winches to make it easier to use the removeable inner forestay. The turning blocks have jammers on them so I can leave the genoa sheets rigged when I have a jib on the inner forestay.

Yours is a really well sussed system, ready to go at a moments notice.

IMHO, exactly as it should be, for a lot of tinkering basically ensures that the storm sails, inner blade jibs, etc., will rarely/never be set in anger.

 

[Wansworth]

Know of a friend who has an Albin Vega and has no storm sails,a deep reef in the main and unrolls as much jib as required,in conditions for storm sails is time to be in the cockpit not on the foredeck.With modern sail cloth it’s pleanty strong enough to be set in strong winds.

 

[Iliade]

Been there done that, then had the reefing system fail at least twice: Once I'd rigged the furling line on the wrong side of the unfamiliar furler which came unscrewed from the foil (daft design!) Once the clutch on the furling line failed, and more than once I've tried to change the sail area and lost control of the plot.

I now have blocks shackled to the toe rail which suit both one of the staysails and the storm jib (not at the same time.)

 

[DJE]

Yours is a really well sussed system, ready to go at a moments notice.

IMHO, exactly as it should be, for a lot of tinkering basically ensures that the storm sails, inner blade jibs, etc., will rarely/never be set in anger.

The spare turning blocks are also handy for a guy when we pole out the genoa, or just a downwind sheet through a block on the toerail when broad reaching.

 

[LadyInBed]

If your storm jib clew is fairly high, the car will be fairly far aft so you might also want to put on a snatch block (maybe on the end of the kicker) to help sheet the storm jib in tight if beating.

 

[Neeves]

It is very unlikely the car position for a genoa will be correct for a storm jib, in order to move the car you may need to slacken the genoa sheets - so now your genoa sheets are slack - the consequences of which might be....?. I also hope you never need to beat to windward with a storm jib (though it might eventuate - plan for it).

Hopefully you will be running off, or want to run off - you need a snatch block you can attach to the toe rail, you will not be tacking - so you only need one. Equally you only need one sheet.

We would prepare in advance. You know which direction will be best to run off, set up with that in mind (and hope you do not need to change!).

Consider how you are going to attach the storm jib, if you leave it too late - it will be a nightmare. But if you hank it on early make sure you can secure it before it needs to be hoisted.

The only good thing about installing a storm jib in anger - its easier than a tri-sail.

Jonathan

 

[steve yates]

Know of a friend who has an Albin Vega and has no storm sails,a deep reef in the main and unrolls as much jib as required,in conditions for storm sails is time to be in the cockpit not on the foredeck.With modern sail cloth it’s pleanty strong enough to be set in strong winds.

Is he using them in actual storm conditions out on an ocean miles away from anywhere though or is that set up for very strong winds around uk or the med?

 

[Sybarite]

Know of a friend who has an Albin Vega and has no storm sails,a deep reef in the main and unrolls as much jib as required,in conditions for storm sails is time to be in the cockpit not on the foredeck.With modern sail cloth it’s pleanty strong enough to be set in strong winds.

Ever since a 60 knt squall physically ripped open the metal hanks on my storm jib I would never underestimate what the wind is capable of.

 

[Wansworth]

Is he using them in actual storm conditions out on an ocean miles away from anywhere though or is that set up for very strong winds around uk or the med?

He did the Azores and back and an Atlantic crossing to New York and back and encountered bad weather.From my limited experience in a 27 footer going to wind ward is probably not going to happen out in the ocean so a furling jib will not be a problem sail shape wise

 

[Sharky34]

Maybe a stupid question but I'm not sure so here goes.

I'm going to try my storm sails out so I get used to setting them up if I ever need them.

My storm jib set up seems straight forward, hanked on to my removable inner forestay, hoised with storm jib halyard, set up some storm jib sheets but thats when I run into a problem. My furled away genoa sheets are using the sheet cars so where do I route the storm jib sheets? Am I supposed to remove the furled genoa sheets and use them on the storm jib instead? That would free up the sheet car issue but how would I keep my furled genoa secure with no sheets wrapped around it? The clew is very high up when furled and would be difficult for me to reach to tie up with a bit of temp line.

Thanks

Always best to see if its even possible to rig, well in advance.
I was always suprised to find them in pristine condition, never been taken out of original wrapping on RYA school boats.
Some, even when moored alongside, were completely useless, particularly those 'wrap around' a rolled genny type.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Here’s many two penny worth which contradicts some answers already given and enlarges on others.

I suggest that although there will be strong enough winds and seas encountered that make beating to windward extremely difficult or impossible, one of the main purposes of a storm jib is to give you the best chance possible.

If you’re going to leave your roller Genoa hoisted and furled it needs to be secured like you’ve never secured it before. It should go without saying that if you really know heavy weather is coming, you should seriously consider getting the Genoa down and stowed below. Clearly once the wind starts building, striking the Genoa might not be an option but that’s another thread perhaps.

I suggest that the storm jib needs to be hanked onto a VERY tight forestay. I’ve hanked it on and then left it in its bag lashed down securely before now when heavy weather is forecast. Sheets already on and all you’ve got to do to hoist is unlash it and make your way aft while being flogged by the sheets. From an armchair it sounds easy. It isn’t.

I suggest that serious consideration should be given to sheeting angles and position of the sheet lead. I’ve sailed on several boats where there’s been a separate track or on one strong pad eyes in the deck where you shackle blocks for the storm jib sheets. You often need the sheeting angle to be inboard of where your normal sheets are led. To beat to windward you need the sheeting angle to be small.

I’m sorry but I completely disagree with the notion that you only need one sheet. You’ve no idea what’s going to happen really, you’ve only a prediction of the weather system and why tie one arm behind your back? One sheet arrangements will come back and bite you IMHO.

Small bits of Roller Genoa don’t help you beat to windward.

Two lines through the same Genoa car? Don’t underestimate the chafe and load on lines in a storm.

A well set up storm jib is a great asset, but it takes a bit of prior preparation and planning. All IMHO and from my experience of the few storms I haven’t managed to avoid or be in port or anchored somewhere sheltered for.

 

[Travelling Westerly]

Thanks for all replies, great help. I'm not sure how to fit additional sheet cars as my present ones are adjustable on the fly. They have lines rigged to them and I can't see how new ones would stay put without derigging the current ones which would be a pain. Also not much room to put another sheet in the car so going with removing genoa sheets and securing genoa well.

Next question following on, I have an inmast furling main and a trysail. From what Google has shown me it appears that others with the same set up heavily reef the main and set the storm jib without bothering to set up the trysail. Is this good info or should I practice fitting the trysail and dousing the main? Is it best to secure the trysail clew to the boom?

 

[laika]

I’ve sailed on several boats where there’s been a separate track or on one strong pad eyes in the deck where you shackle blocks for the storm jib sheets. You often need the sheeting angle to be inboard of where your normal sheets are led. To beat to windward you need the sheeting angle to be small.

I'd be interested in what your set-up on your sealord is. A few years back I had a removable inner forestay installed on my oceanlord. There's a separate track forward but the sheets need to be routed through that and then back through the main cars to the (thankfully twin) turning blocks. The main genoa cars are fairly big so I can feed two through with the "active" one being held tight and not chafing against the "lazy" one below it. I've also got a hanked on #3 I can use with the removable inner forestay meaning I can if necessary get rid of the furling genoa long before a storm jib is needed.

Having said that, in the past few years I've avoided going out in unpleasant weather so all the practice has been entirely unrepresentative.

On the subject of trysails, a standard offering from Kemps is extra reinforcement for the top part of the main with a "4th reef". I'm aware of many of the trysail vs 4th reef arguments but tbh the likelihood of me ever wishing I'd gone to the hassle of fitting a track for a trysail is vanishingly small.

Is it best to secure the trysail clew to the boom?

I'm not an expert but I'd say doing that negates the "taking the boom out of the equation" argument in favour of trysails (although there are still others)

 

[Neeves]

You don't mention how many will be on board, if you are single handing or just the two of you its a totally different story to there being 6 competent individuals.

My comments are based on limited crew numbers.

Having used a tri-sail with a crew of 6 - I would never want to consider it with a crew of 2. Other may have better ideas.

Because of this we specified that our third (and final reefing point) massively reduces our main area. Our main is 45^2 and the third reef brings it down to 12m^2, on a 38' cat. We don't have a further reef, which might have been another option. But trying to attach a tri sail standing on a cabin roof in buildings seas, effectively single handed is not for the faint hearted.

As mentioned by another member we try to prepare in advance. We have 2 attached headsails a screecher, a sort of Code Zero (also 45m^2), and a 150% genoa (35m^2). We also carry a self tacking jib, which as it fits inside the foretriangle is a 'sort of' No4. If bad weather is forecast we remove the screecher and the genoa and simply replace the, furling, genoa with the self tacking jib and hank on the storm jib to the inner forestay.

I'll be interested in comments on use of tri sails.

As you are asking sensible questions on your 'developing' theme - you might want to extend the queries to jackstays and tethers.

Jonathan

 

[steve1963]

Know of a friend who has an Albin Vega and has no storm sails,a deep reef in the main and unrolls as much jib as required,in conditions for storm sails is time to be in the cockpit not on the foredeck.With modern sail cloth it’s pleanty strong enough to be set in strong winds.

That's Skip Novaks advice, I think. At least for the main. A very deep reef on the main. He says, this is much quicker and simpler, and hence safer than rigging a tri-sail. I think he is probably right in this