Todays’ odd question

[djr]

So I haven’t had the boat out the water much - but an odd one which I don’t know the answer to - how come the jib is taken off each time they put her on the hard? how come it’s re-fitted when she is in the water?
…. I have never refitted it myself so if anyone as a side note is in Lymington and would be happy to help me - please do get in touch!

D

 

[awol]

Removal reduces windage making the boat more stable on a cradle or props. It also gives an opportunity for valeting and drying of the sail; removal, inspection and cleaning of running rigging and inspection of foil, shackles, etc.. In my opinion you really should know how to remove and refit your sails (including the main).

 

[pandos]

Safest to fit jib whilst on the water but I have done it on a windass day whilst on the hard. Getting the sail stuck half up if there is any wind is not great on land.. but it's also easier to get a tight roll if you can let it fill a little whilst rolling it up...

I always leave it on till the boat is lifted or if I am leaving it at the dock ready for lifting I might drop it , but usually done on the hard when the wind is light and I have plenty of time.

Plenty of silicone or ptfe in the groove as you haul up the sail makes things very easy

 

[djr]

Bloody helpful answers - thank you and does make sense to me. I did send the sail for a valet as it was off the boat

In regards to being able to remove the sails and re-fit - I’ve never had to do the jib myself so looking for advice on that, better to ask than try and cock it up

The main is easy - have done that before.

 

[ashtead]

The jib is easier as it has no battens,slider cars or a gate to undo. . Chose a calm day and the jib should just drop onto the the for deck/side deck once unfurl and halyard released however you don’t say size so weight might be an issue to lift the bagged up sail off to land maybe. Putting it back on can be more fun though if alone agreed.

 

[Tranona]

Depends on what furler you have and how big the jib is. Most furlers have a lead in for the luff tape to go up the groove, but sometimes a pre feeder helps to get the tape aligned. Easiest with 2 people. particularly if it is a large overlapping sail but I can manage my 20 sqm myself. best done on a calm day or with a light wind from just off the bow so that it goes one side or the other. Attach the sheets so you have control as it goes up. if on your own you can work from the mast, cleating off and going forward to keep the luff feeding straight. If 2 people, one on the halyard and the other feeding the luff in. All very logical once you start.

 

[Concerto]

In Spain some years ago there was a yacht on the hard that had the genoa unfurl in strong winds. The boat fell out of the cradle, but started a domino effect with about 25 more falling over. That is the real origin of why a genoa is removed.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

No offence to theOP, but as someone whose introduction to headsails was of the hanked-on type, I am stunned by the thought that there are boat owners out there who don't know how to drop their headsails. What would they do if their furling line broke? This certainly fortifies my contention that all boatowners should take some training courses before venturing out in their vessels.

 

[KompetentKrew]

No offence to theOP, but as someone whose introduction to headsails was of the hanked-on type, I am stunned by the thought that there are boat owners out there who don't know how to drop their headsails. What would they do if their furling line broke? This certainly fortifies my contention that all boatowners should take some training courses before venturing out in their vessels.

Oh, man. I'd been sailing a year when I bought my boat.

The first year of boat ownership I tore my mainsail by reefing incorrectly. Then, after having it repaired, I tore it again the next time I took the boat out because I had routed the reefing lines incorrectly when I put it back on.

Having never stepped on a boat you can be fully "qualified" to sail around the world with only 10 days' training - 5 days for competent crew, and 5 more days gets you Day Skipper and an ICC. "Paper qualified", if you like. I had about 90 days' sailing experience as crew in my first year, and had Coastal Skipper qualification, before making the aforementioned cockups. I really envy those who grew up and learned to sail on their parents' boats, and I often think that many on here underestimate how much they know or how much there is for a newcomer to learn about sailing.

If they doubled or tripled the Day Skipper syllabus it wouldn't be enough - not to properly soak in. Putting sails on and off isn't part of the syllabus. A training course is no substitute for hands-on experience anyway, and I'm sure I'm not the only one here who's cussed themselves for their mistakes, saying "I should have known that". I honestly think that sailing is unrivalled in the depth and breath of knowledge required, and the "holistic" nature of it; you never stop learning.

I've had my jib off twice, and learned how to do it pretty much by trial and error. There's nothing hard about it, @djr - you just attach the halyard and hoist it up; it can be a bit tricky with only a single pair of hands, but probably one of the marina staff (weekdays) or a neighbour (weekends) will help you - the only thing you need them for is to feed the sail into the slot as you hoist. If you're fitting the furling line then it may be the opposite way around to which you think.