Repair & maintenance: Jib Sheet Knots

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Jib Sheet Knots

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Repair & maintenance
Forum Discription: Questions & tips on the subject
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5518
Printed Date: 15 May 25 at 12:48am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Jib Sheet Knots

Posted By: Captain Morgan
Subject: Jib Sheet Knots
Date Posted: 15 May 09 at 12:53pm

OK, so what type of knots are people using to tie their jib sheets onto the clew of their jibs?

I'm not talking about high-load jibs, just general purpose stuff, that isn't necessarily "permanent". I'd rather not bother with shackles or plastic bobbers that might stick or thrash against the mast.

Figure-of-eight (was recommended - But it creeps towards the end of the sheet if the jib is flogging in windy conditions!)

Bowline (seems best)?

Replies:

Posted By: stuarthop
Date Posted: 15 May 09 at 1:11pm

I use a tiny boble and a bowline permanently tied clos to the end of the sheet, I'll take a photo tommorow if i remeber, otherwise i tend to tie the sheets in the boatdont like knots hanging off the clew of the jib.

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Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 15 May 09 at 1:23pm

Depends on the boat and the wind.

Tying a bowline uses more rope and therefore more weight at the clew, using a figure of 8 is best, or you could do i larks foot and join in the boat instead.

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Posted By: Contender 541
Date Posted: 15 May 09 at 1:32pm

On the 5oh we have continuous jib sheets with the 'open end' at the jib.

The open ends are tapered and these tapers are connected to the jib via a bowline

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When you find a big kettle of crazy it's probably best not to stir it - Pointy Haired Boss

Crew on 505 8780

Posted By: Captain Morgan
Date Posted: 15 May 09 at 2:10pm

Originally posted by Contender 541

On the 5oh we have continuous jib sheets with the 'open end' at the jib.

The open ends are tapered and these tapers are connected to the jib via a bowline

Yes - This is the system that I was thinking about.

Damn! I never thought to consider the weight issue (with bowlines). I don't think that I can be bothered tapering the ends of the jib sheets though.

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 15 May 09 at 2:16pm

I usually pass both sheets through the jib clew, then tie an overhand knot on each end round the opposite sheet. This effectively gives you a fisherman's knot with the clew in the middle. This is good for asymettric kites too, especially if you tape across the clew to reduce what can catch on the jib luff.

However if there's plenty of room I might have a light line attached to the clew with a lark's foot, and then each end tied to the full size jib sheet with a double sheet bend.

Posted By: Captain Morgan
Date Posted: 15 May 09 at 2:33pm

After yet more googling - I found this courtesy of Wayfarer-International:

http://www.wayfarer-international.org/WIT/race.related/RiggingTips/TonJaspers/TJhalsheet.html - http://www.wayfarer-international.org/WIT/race.related/Riggi ngTips/TonJaspers/TJhalsheet.html

I guess that the Fisherman's Knot method that JimC has just described is in there - Looks promising. Has anyone tried this, and similarly the same arrangement with the two Figure-of-eight knots?

Posted By: ASok
Date Posted: 15 May 09 at 3:22pm

On the Dart its a continuous system with a clip for the jib. On any other boat (including yachts) I have always tied bowline. I think that they are undoubtedly the most reliable knots and won't shake loose. Also easy to undo when you've given them a high load unlike stoppers.

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Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 15 May 09 at 6:41pm

Originally posted by radixon

or you could do i larks foot and join in the boat instead.

This would be my favoured method I reckon, and is close to how we've got our spinnaker sheets- not an issue on the B14 jib though as we've got 2:1 jib sheets.

(and ratchets. and cleats. The loads are rather high)

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-_
Al

Posted By: Captain Morgan
Date Posted: 18 May 09 at 3:39pm

Choices, choices! Thanks for the replies. I'm still not sure which method is most suitable, but for now I think that I'll go with the larks foot and connect the two ends in the cockpit. I'm guessing, bt I'd say that this would minimise weight at the clew, as well as being secure.

Posted By: laser193713
Date Posted: 19 May 09 at 7:00pm

That is a pretty standard way of doing it and works well, same for kite sheets on asymetrics too unless you have tapered sheets and even then it can still be used if the taper is in the middle of the sheet.

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