The most unused bit of kit

[Peppermint]

I've seen on many many boats. The storm jib.

Are they worth having for channel/coastal cruising?

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[dulcibella]

Yes, they are worth having. Apart from the reassurance of knowing that there is one to hand, they are useful sails even in less than a full gale. I suspect that a lot of people knock the daylights out of reefed furling genoas in fresh-strong winds when they would sail better if they hoisted the storm jib.

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[Sybarite]

Like insurance - they are only useful when you need them.

John

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[Paul_H]

Nah - the most unused bit of kit is a motoring-under-sail cone.

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[VicS]

Haven't used the distress flares yet!

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Ne te confundant illegitimi.</font color=purple>

 

[Evadne]

My least used bit of kit is the spare anchor. I bought 2 anchors after a mishap at Dungeness in 1986 when I dropped the hook, and it stayed dropped.

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[Twister_Ken]

Rust marks

Has anyone ever seen a storm jib that doesn't have rust marks in it?

Sometimes I think they're delivered that way.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[kilkerr1]

Most unused bit of kit for the past 3 weeks - my boat. /forums/images/icons/frown.gif

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[MainlySteam]

Re: Rust marks

Isn't that why it is recommended they be orange, so the rust stains don't show?

John

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[Jacket]

And the only time you'll ever need either is when you haven't got them.

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[DeeGee]

Strangely enough, we have NEVER used our CD player. We have taken CDs with us on weekends and summer hols, but never seemed to have time to play them. Other folk play theirs all the time, even on the water. One loves to pretend he is in Apocalypse Now, and plays the ride of the valkyries every time he clears port...ugh.

<hr width=100% size=1>Black Sugar - the sweetest of all

 

[Jacket]

Could be worse. My girlfriend at the time insisted on playing ABBA all the time while we were sailing in Sweden. Embarasing doesn't even begin to describe it.

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[Twister_Ken]

Re: Rust marks

Maybe it's not rust?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[sailorman]

not these days in isnt we have cones/pfds wall to wall on the east coast.
oh & fenders, lots of fenders.

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[Guest]

Some would say ...

The most unused bit of kit on a boat is a brain - considering some of the antics you see !!!!


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[Oldhand]

Pity this serious question has produced responses degenerating into somthing totally irrelevant.

My answer is yes they are worth having, especially if by channel cruising you include cross-channel trips. There will come the time when every weather indication is wrong and you will get caught out in stronger conditions than you would normally go to sea in. On that occasion you are likely to be very glad of a storm jib, especially if you have a typical modern cruiser which easily becomes over-pressed.

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[Mirelle]

This has been a summer of exceptionally fine weather!

Indeed the storm jib has not been out of its bag so far, this year,whereas various fancy kites have been used quite a bit.

BUT - I would not want to be without it.

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[peterb]

Surely the least used bit of kit on the average boat is the life raft. If it's used at all then it's only used once, and the yacht is thrown away!

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[BrendanS]

least used bits of kit on most boats are all the expensive safety paraphenalia you hope never to use...life jackets and attached lights, flares, throwing lines, multiple electric and manual bilge pumps, etc, etc

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[NigeCh]

It\'s only of use when ...

you have a detachable inner forestay. Most AWB boats that you see around on the seas today have but 2 sails: a furling genoa and a non-reefing main: and neither are used much.

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