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

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

Thanks

Grant Ziebell
SV SOUNION
Pensacola, FL

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 old "rule" was that the jib sheet should be approximately equal to boat
length. Depending on the LP of the sail, one could adjust this up or down
according to preference. However you may want to consider keeping the
sheets a bit longer. This will allow you to adjust the length for wear or
chafe, reverse the sheets more easily, whip or re-whip the ends, etc.

Another idea is to use a single length of rope about twice the boat length,
and then set it up as both sheets with a simple loop through the cringle.
Many people prefer this since there is less likelihood of the sheet hanging
when tacking. Of course this means dedicated sheets for each sail and
consequently more expense.

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

You don't indicate boat size, but I don't think we're talking about an 80
footer (correct me if I'm wrong). For the typical cruising sailboat, the
sheet diameter is usually chosen more for "hand" and ease of use that for
strength. Even thin cordage (say, 1/4 inch) is very strong these days, but
except for special applications (e.g., light air spinnaker sheets), you will
usually be better off choosing the sheet that feels best in your hand. This
turns out to be somewhere between 7/16 and 5/8 for most boats.

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

The old rule of thumb was that the spinnaker sheet was twice the boat
length, plus or minus. I am specifically talking about conventional
spinnakers. The "proper" length will depend to some extent on how the
spinnaker is gibed.

Take a look at Wally Ross's "Sail Power" for an extended discussion.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.tripod.com

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 old "rule" was that the jib sheet should be approximately equal to boat
length. Depending on the LP of the sail, one could adjust this up or down
according to preference. However you may want to consider keeping the
sheets a bit longer. This will allow you to adjust the length for wear or
chafe, reverse the sheets more easily, whip or re-whip the ends, etc.

Another idea is to use a single length of rope about twice the boat length,
and then set it up as both sheets with a simple loop through the cringle.
Many people prefer this since there is less likelihood of the sheet hanging
when tacking. Of course this means dedicated sheets for each sail and
consequently more expense.

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

You don't indicate boat size, but I don't think we're talking about an 80
footer (correct me if I'm wrong). For the typical cruising sailboat, the
sheet diameter is usually chosen more for "hand" and ease of use that for
strength. Even thin cordage (say, 1/4 inch) is very strong these days, but
except for special applications (e.g., light air spinnaker sheets), you will
usually be better off choosing the sheet that feels best in your hand. This
turns out to be somewhere between 7/16 and 5/8 for most boats.

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

The old rule of thumb was that the spinnaker sheet was twice the boat
length, plus or minus. I am specifically talking about conventional
spinnakers. The "proper" length will depend to some extent on how the
spinnaker is gibed.

Take a look at Wally Ross's "Sail Power" for an extended discussion.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.tripod.com

I make my jib sheets only somewhat longer than the minimum needed for the
end of the lazy sheet to be at the jib lead, or clutch, or fairlead or
within reach--whatever is appropriate for the particular boat. Have to be
long enough to roller furl, if applicable.
"Grant Ziebell" wrote in message
om...
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? What line diameter would be best for this application? Jib
is a 135%.

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

Thanks

Grant Ziebell
SV SOUNION
Pensacola, FL

I make my jib sheets only somewhat longer than the minimum needed for the
end of the lazy sheet to be at the jib lead, or clutch, or fairlead or
within reach--whatever is appropriate for the particular boat. Have to be
long enough to roller furl, if applicable.
"Grant Ziebell" wrote in message
om...
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? What line diameter would be best for this application? Jib
is a 135%.

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

Thanks

Grant Ziebell
SV SOUNION
Pensacola, FL

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
new newsgroup users info : http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca

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
new newsgroup users info : http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca

All sheets on my boat are just long enough to engage the prop if dropped
overboard!

I don't recieve e-mail at this address because of spam. E-mail me
at crtsrATmsnDOTcom.

All sheets on my boat are just long enough to engage the prop if dropped
overboard!

I don't recieve e-mail at this address because of spam. E-mail me
at crtsrATmsnDOTcom.

On Fri, 16 Jan 2004 09:49:16 -0500, "Armond Perretta"
wrote:


Take a look at Wally Ross's "Sail Power" for an extended discussion.

Nearly 30 years old and STILL one of the best sail theory and practice
books I've ever read. I am exceedingly happy I found a used copy a few
years back...it's prompted some great mods (like barber-hauling) on my
early '70s cruiser-racer...

R.