Setting the storm jib

[geem]

Following on from another thread but not wishing to drift that one, does anybody actually ever use their storm jib? If so, what kind of wind speed was it used in? What sea state? Coastal or off shore? Going up wind or down wind? Was it used in conjunction with other sails or on its own? Was the engine used? It seems to me that most boats carry a storm jib but like me, it never gets an airing.

 

[flaming]

Only once in anger. Delivery from the Solent to Dartmouth in the Elan. 30ish knots TWS initially could lay Dartmouth going upwind on port tack, but then got headed and ended up tacking the last 15 miles or so. Set the storm jib in conjunction with a double reefed main on leaving the Solent. Boat was reasonably balanced like this, and actually pretty fast. Did Hamble to Dartmouth in about 15 hours if I recall, one of the faster deliveries.... Sea state was typical channel short seas, frequently breaking over the boat. Very unpleasant sail all told. No way I would have done that passage for fun, it was very much a "get to Dartmouth for the racing" job.
Pretty reassuring from a "what the boat can cope with" point of view though. Only issue was that I drowned the engine panel with the waves sweeping through the cockpit, which made the overheating alarm sound continuously. Which was a bit worrying until I figured out what had happened.

 

[mattonthesea]

On approach to and in the Eastern Caribbean I used it in squalls. Single handed I would have the storm jib up as a sort of staysail and two reefs in main (sometimes three). It meant I could go from full genny to storm jib in seconds by pulling one line.

 

[geem]

Only once in anger. Delivery from the Solent to Dartmouth in the Elan. 30ish knots TWS initially could lay Dartmouth going upwind on port tack, but then got headed and ended up tacking the last 15 miles or so. Set the storm jib in conjunction with a double reefed main on leaving the Solent. Boat was reasonably balanced like this, and actually pretty fast. Did Hamble to Dartmouth in about 15 hours if I recall, one of the faster deliveries.... Sea state was typical channel short seas, frequently breaking over the boat. Very unpleasant sail all told. No way I would have done that passage for fun, it was very much a "get to Dartmouth for the racing" job.
Pretty reassuring from a "what the boat can cope with" point of view though. Only issue was that I drowned the engine panel with the waves sweeping through the cockpit, which made the overheating alarm sound continuously. Which was a bit worrying until I figured out what had happened.

What size Elan? Did you drop the existing headsail and set the storm jib on the furler?

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Was crewing on the delivery of a SO32i from Baltimore to Paimpol a few years ago, (in November). Wind WSW, (on the quarter) increased to higher than forecast in mid Channel, rising to F9-10. Skipper considered running under bare poles but thought we would be more manoeuvreable with the storm jib, in case we encountered shipping. I went forward with the skipper and helped to deploy the temporary inner forestay and hank it on. We had rehearsed before departure and ensured that the sail was folded so that it could be hanked on quickly, the sheets were flaked in the bag and could easily be put through the dedicated blocks on the coachroof as we retreated to the cockpit.
We found ourselves doing a SOG of 10 kt under the one small sail. Helming was a stressfull job but the wind died down a bit after 2-3 hours.

 

[flaming]

What size Elan? Did you drop the existing headsail and set the storm jib on the furler?

37. And it was a race boat, so no furler.

 

[jwilson]

Twice in earnest: once for about 48 hours after being fully inverted once and keel-in-the air three more times whilst running under bare poles, UFO34 beamy high-ballast ratio IOR design. Windspeed not known, probably at least F9. Storm jib allowed us to reach fast and luff into every breaking sea.

Other time only about F7: 37 ft X-Yacht ocean racing, broad-reaching under main and small genoa, averaging 12-13 knots and going what felt like airborne at times. When one stay wire started to strand went down to storm jib and triple-reefed main and added halyard to stay on dodgy side. Still making about 9 knots but the hull was staying in the water and we were out of the race.

 

[Kukri]

Yes, 37 ft gaff cutter, with reefed staysail and close reefed mainsail, F7, Broad Fourteens, southern North Sea, 1987. When the wind strengthened further, stowed it and the mainsail and lay to under close reefed staysail only. One rather impressive knock down.

 

[BabaYaga]

Since installing the inner forestay some 10 years ago (and taking the old storm jib to service again after 15 years in storage), I have only used it on a handful of occasions. Always for shorter passages in coastal waters, never in 'survival' conditions. I have also yet to set it while on passage.
Still think it is an option well worth having, but much will depend on what boat you have. Mine is of modest size, not so beamy and needs to be reefed early (main). Larger boats may take stronger winds without having to reduce so much sail.
The photo was taken in about 25 knots and sheltered waters. Two out of three reefs in the main taken. Fairly good balance in these circumstances.
In stronger wind, with three reefs taken in the main, I get pronounced lee helm – so it could perhaps be argued that the jib is a little too large. However, when properly heeled over the center of effort (if that is the term?) moves aft and balance is much improved.

 

[geem]

Since installing the inner forestay some 10 years ago (and taking the old storm jib to service again after 15 years in storage), I have only used it on a handful of occasions. Always for shorter passages in coastal waters, never in 'survival' conditions. I have also yet to set it while on passage.
Still think it is an option well worth having, but much will depend on what boat you have. Mine is of modest size, not so beamy and needs to be reefed early (main). Larger boats may take stronger winds without having to reduce so much sail.
The photo was taken in about 25 knots and sheltered waters. Two out of three reefs in the main taken. Fairly good balance in these circumstances.
In stronger wind, with three reefs taken in the main, I get pronounced lee helm – so it could perhaps be argued that the jib is a little too large. However, when properly heeled over the center of effort (if that is the term?) moves aft and balance is much improved.

Interesting to see you say the use of the storm jib may depend on what boat you have. Although we quite often see squalls to high 30s and occasionally above 40kts here sailing between the Caribbean islands in the acceleration zone, we have never felt the need for a storm jib or anything close. Our boat is generously canvassed but has a high ballast ratio. Once we are reefed down for stronger winds we have a lower centre of effort with our slab reefed main, blade jib and mizzen. We adjust this set up to suit the higher wind strengths but we are predominantly sailing with on the beam. If we see a line squall coming and we are already in high 20s wind speed we simple drop the main and sail on blade jib and mizzen. This set up is good for top end of F8 with wind on the beam.

 

[dunedin]

Added a third reef to our last two boats, and this extra reef has been used quite extensively.
Have foam luff on jib, another essential. These two upgrades I would put way ahead of a storm jib in importance.
Don’t carry a storm jib and in 20 seasons never felt a need for one. If I was doing a transatlantic upwind I might consider it, but otherwise not. Extra inner forestay would be a hassle 95% of the time.

NB. perhaps a bit of a theme emerging. If go out into bad weather in “delivery mode” it might be needed, whereas if prefer to watch weather and wait for a window, not needed for most crossings within weather forecast confidence (typically 3-5 day voyages)

 

[Iain C]

I've yet to try mine, although it's a rather clever design that has lines with rollers that go around the already furled genoa (a bit like the mainsail hoops on a gaffer, but string not hoops).

I guess in practice I'd really need to have a second set of headsail sheets already on the jib, as untying the existing genoa ones could be a bit exciting. The sail is a lovely piece of workmanship...Sanders, international orange, very heavy, and as far as I can see, totally unused.

 

[greeny]

Once only, crossing Biscay N to S. Bowman 40. Winds 7-8. Storm jib only most of the time for 18hrs, on the inner forestay. Genoa rolled and securely tied in.
Staysail bagged and stored away. Boat as comfortable as could be expected.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

I've yet to try mine, although it's a rather clever design that has lines with rollers that go around the already furled genoa (a bit like the mainsail hoops on a gaffer, but string not hoops).

I guess in practice I'd really need to have a second set of headsail sheets already on the jib, as untying the existing genoa ones could be a bit exciting. The sail is a lovely piece of workmanship...Sanders, international orange, very heavy, and as far as I can see, totally unused.

+1 for dedicated sheets. The sail change needs to be as quick and slick as possible, to minimise the time spent on deck in strong conditions.

 

[geem]

Once only, crossing Biscay N to S. Bowman 40. Winds 7-8. Storm jib only most of the time for 18hrs, on the inner forestay. Genoa rolled and securely tied in.
Staysail bagged and stored away. Boat as comfortable as could be expected.

Were you heading up wind, across the wind or down wind?
I suspect the need for a storm jib increases if you need to make progress up wind. If you dont have a second furler with a staysail fitted then the only option is use a large furled genoa or storm jib. Clearly going up wind the heavily furled genoa would be useless and risk blowing out as the cloth weight and stitching wont be up to that kind of wind for long.
In that situation a storm jib makes lots of sense. For our boat in the wind strenth you describe we would likely be on staysail alone. The weight of the sail and triple stitching can deal with those wind speeds. We have used it along the coast of Guadeloupe, albeit in flat sea, just to see how it coped. We had gusts to 40kts and with staysail alone we could sail hard upwind at 7kts with the toerail kissing the water. Not a comparison with Biscay and the associated sea but the sail will reef down well so we still expect to use it in that kind of wind.
Going to windward in the Windward Passage in similar winds we had full staysail and triple reefed main and made reasonable progress. We didnt get near the point that we needed a storm jib though.

 

[greeny]

Were you heading up wind, across the wind or down wind?
I suspect the need for a storm jib increases if you need to make progress up wind. If you dont have a second furler with a staysail fitted then the only option is use a large furled genoa or storm jib. Clearly going up wind the heavily furled genoa would be useless and risk blowing out as the cloth weight and stitching wont be up to that kind of wind for long.
In that situation a storm jib makes lots of sense. For our boat in the wind strenth you describe we would likely be on staysail alone. The weight of the sail and triple stitching can deal with those wind speeds. We have used it along the coast of Guadeloupe, albeit in flat sea, just to see how it coped. We had gusts to 40kts and with staysail alone we could sail hard upwind at 7kts with the toerail kissing the water. Not a comparison with Biscay and the associated sea but the sail will reef down well so we still expect to use it in that kind of wind.
Going to windward in the Windward Passage in similar winds we had full staysail and triple reefed main and made reasonable progress. We didnt get near the point that we needed a storm jib though.

Started on a reach and went broad off he wind as the low went through as I remember. 18yrs ago now. Well offshore and plenty of sea room.

 

[ghostlymoron]

As a novice sailer with a Leisure 17, I read somewhere that "no yacht should put to sea without a storm jib" so I bought one, a bright orange one. We did hoist it once to see what it looked like but apart from that it never came out of the bag! I've had several boats since then and some of them had unused storm jibs among their inventory. I get the impression that most sailors don't use them.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Our boat came with a hank on storm jib with a galvanised luff wire which had rusted away. No way to use it though as the inner forestay had never been fitted with anything at the deck end! A local sailmaker replaced the wire with a rope(Dyneema?) luff and new hanks. I then fitted the inner stay with an adjustable turnbuckle and strengthened deck eye. Only practised with it, never used in anger. Moody 33.

 

[weustace]

Another voice for never having used it... in fact I still haven't sorted out rigging it on Aphrodite. Newish 120% foam luff genoa on furler has been successfully tested upwind in F8 in the Solent and F6 in the Channel (on a 24'er). I would require some considerable motivation to put to sea in more than F6 upwind outside sheltered waters, which is not normally supplied by a relaxed cruising agenda. Having a removable inner forestay fitted near the masthead is on the to-do list, though—it would be nice to have a storm jib available in case one gets caught out.

When at sea in F7-8 off Orkney aboard a F40.7 last summer, which was decidedly on the "sporty" side (though actually not too bad), I ordered the storm jib to be retrieved and left on the cabin sole in case it was required, but a reefed #3 headsail and 3rd reef did the job on all occasions.

William

 

[westhinder]

One more that has never been used in anger.
It is meant to be set on the removable inner forestay. But so far I have never had the need for it.
First of all, the new genoa is a hybrid dacron and dyneema cloth that is built to withstand a lot of punishment. Secondly, if I foresee a lot of upwind work in strong winds, I set a heavy blade jib on the inner forestay, which works perfectly. The storm jib is the last resort, but so far I have not needed it as I try to avoid being out there in those conditions. With the forecasts we have today and passages of 3-4 days, it must be possible to avoid the worst of the weather. Once the passages get longer and you have to deal with whatever the sea throws at you, it is nice to know you have that storm jib in the locker just in case.