Jump to content

Self tacking jib options


Recommended Posts

I have seen a couple of references to self tacking jibs that have a straight (not curved) track. I can't find any details but when I ran some tests today it seemed like the sideways force needed to keep the car from centering on the track was quite high. I would imagine this would be a problem in lighter winds. A bit more research brought me to the swift solo that seems to have a straight track. Does anyone know if there are any tricks to getting this to work.

 

The reason I ask is that I have an old section of Ronstan I-track and a car so if I can use that it would be good.

 

Otherwise, if I make a wooden mould to bend it in to, would the I-track work? It seems like a deep section to be bending without some part of it yielding and breaking.

 

Cheers,

Chris

Link to post
Share on other sites

I thought that would be the case. Thanks for the advice.

 

Unfortunately it is for a 1980's Javelin with the rig really far forward. I had thought that a straight track would also give me a little more room to move with jib size so it looks like moving the rig and centrecase back further in the boat will be job number one.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow. Looking good. One day once the mortgage is paid off maybe.

 

Now you've made the mistake of showing your Javelin bent I'll be bombarding you with all sorts of questions.

 

The first one is: Is there any reason not to replace the horrible high front deck on my Jav with a flat deck? The idea is to remove the aluminium bar carrying the lateral rig load with a flat deck that starts at the chainplates and v's forward to in front of the mast. Obviously it's going to be easier to costruct if it is flat. I was thinking of a frame in the same alignment to brace it all a bit better.

 

IMG_20150404_172730 (640x480).jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites

I do like the idea of having no deck at all but I'm a bit worried about the loads involved. The boat is plywood with an exterior fibrglass sheath so isn't going to have the strength and stiffness of a foam/glass or foam/carbon stucture. The other worry is that when I sail it fully powered up with my normal crew we will be around 200kg all up which is pretty heavy.

 

The way I see it, the deck would help carry some of the horizontal torsional loads rather than the floor and side decks having to do this alone. I had thought about extending fully enclosed side decks all the way to the bow to form a stiff box structure to carry all these loads but they are a lot more complicated to build and with my rudimentary abilities probably heavier.

 

My biggest concern with a flat deck is that without any curves it isn't as strong if someone leans on it (eg when trying to retrieve the gennaker that is wrapped around the bow which seemed to happen every third sail or so with the previous one I had). I figure some carefully sized and placed stringers will sort this though.

 

From a rules point of view of course the mast would end up too high above the deck but I can sort that if necessary at a later date.

 

Hope you don't mind all the questions and debate. I'm a bit isolated down here in Nelson when it comes to Javelins so don't have anyone to bounce ideas off or argue with.

 

The boat is number 340 "Transfusion" which is a Salthouse design from the early 80's.

 

The idea is to rehab the hull and then cut a couple of sails down to teach the kids to sail with/let me sail it on my own and then have the option of a full main for the rest of the time. The false floor was a bonus as I had intended on putting one in whatever Javelin I got.

Link to post
Share on other sites

That's 200kg combined crew and skipper weight. I'm 6'8" tall and 110kg and am never going to be a light footed ballerina either.

 

The ideal would be to shift the centrecase and mast back further in the boat to give a bit more room on the fordeck but I'm a bit reluctant to do that as it all looks pretty well built. I hate to undo good work if I can avoid it. The purpose of the new deck has two purposes:

  • Let me remove that horrible looking aluminium section resisting the lateral rig loads
  • Give a better surface for mounting a self tacker.

I have considered not doing the self tacker as it looks pretty expensive but my oldest isn't up to looking after a jib yet and I want to sail with a jib solo.

 

Any advice from the Jav brains trust would be greatly appreciated.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...