Which is more use, a storm jib or a trysail ?

I don't give a monkey's about the fleet review, and i hope the admiral's barge runs into Ballast buo

  • I'd prefer the admiral's barge to sink the volunteer harbour patrol

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • The admiral''s barge failing to start and having to call Sea Start would be enough

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
savageseadog

savageseadog

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 Jun 2005
Messages
23,291
Visit site
Have a theory that by the time conditions are bad enough for storm sails, fitting a storm jib on the foredeck would be an extremely difficult task. I would have thought that fitting a trysail would allow a yacht to make some headway upwind or at least allow more points of sailing plus would be a lot easier to set.
What does anyone think ?
 
I've set a storm jib many times. Trysails, when carried, have remained firmly in the locker.

I have made to windward under storm jib alone in F9.
 
I would prefer to set both. Hanking on a storm jib is not all that difficult and IMHO easier than feeding the luff of a trisail into a groove or whatever on the mast. Mind you, in the days of wooden masts they often had 2 tracks so that you could slide the trisail up without removing the mainsail. Not everything modern is for the best!
Why do you ask the either/or question?
 
Storm jib on a separate forestay. Never seen a tri-sail set in well over 30 years of sailing. With a deep third reef, I think they are redundant these days.
 
If I am heading out for longer than three days (or less if the weather forecasts are not reliable), I hank the storm jib on before I leave. Once hanked on, it gets stuffed back into it's sailbag so if needed, all I have to do is remove it from the bag and then hoist it.
 
Back in the late 70's we were beating to windward in winds of up to 65 knots the boat was performing well with the storm jib alone and showing 4 knts on the speedo but we had by this time given up trying to use any sort of mainsail, that scrap of jib was quite enough. Eventually the tumultuous sea and still rising wind forced us to turn and run- bare poles and then 7knots on the speedo- entrance loads of warps over the stern to slow her down.

So for my money by the time you need a storm jib you probably will have quite enough to deal with without the complication of a trysail and as for a deep reefed main all I can say is that I certainly wouldn't want to deal with a madly flogging boom whilst I douse the final bit of the main nor would I want to go forward to secure it.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Why do you ask the either/or question?

[/ QUOTE ]
It's about time I had something, although I've got a very small "no 4" it would be too big for anything above 11.
I recently read a book about the Sydney Hobart Disaster and most of the boats seemed to be flying storm jibs.
I reckon that some sail is better than no sail for anything up to the very worst conditions.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have made to windward under storm jib alone in F9.

[/ QUOTE ]

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif You have my utmost respect..I get seasick in the bath /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif You have my utmost respect..I get seasick in the bath /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[/ QUOTE ] Duh!, are you sure you have taken up the correct hobby?
--------------------
hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
[ QUOTE ]
Mind you, in the days of wooden masts they often had 2 tracks so that you could slide the trisail up without removing the mainsail. Not everything modern is for the best!

[/ QUOTE ]

Not a problem with metal masts, either. We have a separate track for our trisail, rivetted on beside the normal mainsail tack and going down to the deck. The sail can be hanked on then left in its bag in case it is needed. Most mast manufacturers can do the same
 
Re: So let\'s find out...

Come ON!! SOMEONE must have a tri-sail out there, even if only for show!!

Someone may even have used one, and I for one, be very interested in the prevailing conditions/period deployed/effectiveness etc.
 
Re: So let\'s find out...

[ QUOTE ]
According to Snowleopard's poll, 9 people have them of which 4 have been used, out of 34 responses. Thats 12% which seems pretty high !

[/ QUOTE ]

Some of those responses might just be non-boat owners who were forced to answer the questions in order to view the results of the poll!
 
I\'ve certainly used a trysail

However, most of my sailing has been on medium sized gaff rigged boats which are a little different in this respect - one really wants the gaff and boom stowed and out of the way and replaced with the trysail if things are going to get really silly.

The old style flax trysails were no use for going upwind as they were always too baggy. OK for heaving to.

The modern terylene ones are quite different. Sheet via the spinnaker blocks to winches.
 
Re: So let\'s find out...

Hi!

Am I looking at a different poll then? 'Cos the results on my page show no one with a tri-sail and therefore no one having used one! Do I need to 'refresh' the poll or summin'?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top