tophatyachts.com

Hey All

After spending a week sailing back from Hamo Island on a Hanse I am completely in love with self tacking jibs. So easy and would be great for single handed sailing... the ability just to turn, adjust the main sheet and head off on the new tack without making any changes to the headsail was fantastic.

I am considering trying this with a temporary set up before drilling any holes in deck or making any permanent changes... would be really interested to know if it is workable - and was wanted to know if:

1: Anyone else sails predominately with a jib, I must admit we do most of our sailing with a 130 genoa as we find with a smaller headsail we end up with too much weather helm. Does anyone else sail more with a Jib and reduced main?

2: Has anyone else had experience with self tacking jib on other boats and considered the same.

Not sure if it workable but a fun project me thinks.

Welcome any thoughts...

Karl

Great idea Karl.
I usually sail with the No 2 genoa because it's easier than getting the main out and its on a furler. I don't have a No. 1.
I've sailed in 20 to 28kts with just the genoa and a finger on the wheel. Too easy.
I have also thought about using a self tacker especially when in Port Hacking which has a lot of narrow channels. It would be similar onthe harbour I guess. I was thinking we could get a small boom on the headsail and reef the No2 down to a jib to get it past the mast and use a block and tackle to the samson post/deck cleat.. The problem is here that the pulpit may not let you run square.
I saw one many years ago on a boat called a PR25 a Paramatta River 25 that used to race out of Hen and Chicken Bay.
The main problem is the furler. If you could make it work it would be ideal and make sailing a lot more fun.

I'd also be interested to hear more suggestions.
Greg.