self-working jib

[scherbhe]

The new boats of Jeanneau have the option for a self-working jib. This will be a good help for cruising on narrow waterways like rivers.

Is there anyone with the experience for such a jib on a 36i ?

My conception is to mount a rail in front of the mast and lead the sheet of the jib some metres up to a pulley in front side of the mast and back inside down to a pulley in the side wall on port side, than over a block at the end of the rail to the genua-winch port side.
This needs of course a new special sail of about 90 %.
I like to hear from anyone.

Attachments:

[MalcolmP]

Your set up looks similar to this retrofit on an SO40

www.jeanneau-owners.com/hintsandtips/selftackingso40.html

Do keep the forum informed how you get on

[sitara]

The new 379 has a self-tacking jib as an option. The methods and gear used on the 379 boat may be suitable for the 36i given the similarity in sizes. It certainly would be a nice option for heavier weather.

[tedp]

On my old 23 foot boat I had a self-tacking jib which was great for river sailing, making short tacks upwind. It also was my working foresail in winds over 12-16 knots. I include a diagram (unfortunately with Dutch text but I hope the principle is clear) of the way I rigged the sheet:



I had a sheet block on the traveller carriage running on a curved rail. The sheet was carried forward to a block fitted just below the forestay putting, continuing along the deck to the starboard sheet winch. I would fit some guiding blocks to the rail stanchions to keep the sheet clear of the cabin sides.

Hope this is useful to you.

[lateron]

I had a self tacking foresail on my last boat, a Hunter Ranger 265, and indeed it was brilliant for upwind tacking in rivers and for ease of use generally uowind. but downwind was another story as it slatted around annoyingly on its track [ which was very like Tedp's drawing and the webcrew photoattachment] and was too small for any useful speed.

Love hate for me. I still sometimes miss it and to have the option of a self tacker upwind is very tempting but the normal genoa on my SO32 is generally more rewarding. For me. As long as the crew does the winching !!

Ron