On 16 Jan 2004 05:59:45 -0800, (Grant Ziebell)
wrote:

Jib sheets which came with the boat are in need of replacement. The
existing sheets sem o be excessively long leading to much clutter in
the cockpit.

Is there a rule of thumb for determining the correct length of the
sheets?

The sheets should be long enough so that, with the sail sheeted in
hard on one side, the free sheet will make it back to its winch, have
a couple of turns on the winch, and at least another three feet or so,
for you to pull on.


What line diameter would be best for this application? Jib
is a 135%.

Depends on the size of the boat - under 25 ft or so, the size will be
determined by handling characteristics rather than strength - you want
a line large enough that you can easily hold and pull it, without
cutting your hands.

For larger boats, the line size will more likely be determined by the
safe working load of the line, and anticipated load from the sail.


What about cruising spinaker sheet lengths and sizes? Boat came with
the sail but no running rigging.

Something like twice the length of the boat seems good - when dropping
the spinnaker, you want to be able to get the sail down the hatch
without the sheets getting pulled out of their blocks (but you DO NOT
want to put stopper knots in spinnaker sheets!!!)

Again, line size is determined by working load and handling
characteristics - although it is common to have very light sheets
(1/4" or less) even on larger boats, for use in very light air.


--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
peterbb (at) interchange.ubc.ca
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