Jib Sheet All in a tangle

When out sailing my H18 the jib sheet quite often gets caught up around the mast step. It doesn't happen all the time but often enough for me to write in and ask how to avoid this happening. I have seen on some Hobies a 'jib sheet tangle preventer' is supplied. It looks like a length of bungee but although it is listed as a supplied item there doesn't seem to be any mention of how to set it up. Can anyone offer any advice? I'm sure that I can live with a few tangles but the crew (female) gets pretty sick of it happening - not that I'm blaming anyone!

Any advice that can help prevent mutiny gratefully received.

Thanks

Jon

You are correct, the tangle preventer is simply a piece of bungee cord, probably about 6 or so feet long. Tie one end to the outboard end of the dolphin striker rod (or you can tie directly to the crossbar at the opening in the tramp) pass the line behind the diamond wire turnbuckles, and then tie the other end at the opposite end of the crossbar/dolphin striker rod. Some people have slightly "fancier" systems, but this simple set-up should eliminate 95% of the tangles.

sm

What I had on my 18 was a stainless strap eye riveted (vertically & with sleeves) onto the leading edge of the mast, about 3 feet up from the base. I'd tie a piece of shock cord (bungee) to the striker rod on one side (about a foot away from the hull) then feed the cord thru the strap eye and tie it off on the opposite side in the same way. I never had the sheets get tangled. Good luck, & Merry Christmas.
Rick

Hi Guys,

Hope Your Holidays are going well.

I have my boat set up like Ricks using 1/4" Bungie ... but since I have Magnum Wings for my boat I tie the bungie to the Wing mounts/studs located in the front crossbar

Some further advice ...

It has been my experience that if the jib is released too early while tacking it has a tendency to "FLOG" and ends up tangled in the mast ... either w/ the rotator or downhaul exit blocks I have located on my mast on either side. So I have instructed and trained the people that sail w/ me to release the jib while tacking when they hear the mainsail go "WHOMP" and tack over. This seems to elimenate the hanging up/tangling w/ the rotator as the rotator has swung over to the new tack by this time. But the jib sheets can and still will hang up on the downhaul exit blocks but w/ the installation of the bungie cord as Rich decribed his system that is prevented.

So go out and practice .... here are my commands and actions ...


Helm: "Ready to Tack?" {Helm /course held}
Helm: "The helm is over" { Helm is over and held allowing the boat to curve in a contant arc/turn ... ease mainsheet approx 1', jib still sheeted}

The boat carves a constant circle/turn ..... main sail tacks "WHOMP".

Helm: "Release Jib" {Helm is still held to allow the boat to carve the turn ... Helm/skipper changes sides. Allow the boat to turn until just slightly below your new course ... slowly resheet jib THEN mainsail to desired trim ... allow the boat to slowly come up as it acclerates.}{Please note that the jib should/will have "backwinded" for just a moment and the helm MUST keep the boat turning onto the new tack}

Do you downhill ski??? Think of it as carving a nice turn on a groomed trail... "stick your turn, finish it". Of course there are all kinds of turns .... as you get better then you can pickup the speed of the turn until you can make a quick "check turn" ... in sailing we call that a "Slammed Roll Tack"

Once your crew and you have practiced enough you will find that as a team together you will not need even think about tacking ... through I always try to give a verbal command if only ... "Tacking" to start the tacking sequence.

Last hint: If I'm in close competition w/ another boat and I'm behind don't tack when they are looking back at you ... wait until they look forward ... then tack!!! You can gain a boatlength or more and get your "nose out ahead" into clean air. W/ clean air you should be able to foot out ahead .... slowly accelerate and point up.

This is when your practice will show ....

Oh, turn OFF all your Mainsheet Block and Jib Sheet Block Rachets so you do not give any indications/noises to hint at what you are about to do ... I'll quietly whisper and tell Megan (my niece and crew) several moments before, "when George looks forward we're tacking" ... and when George does we slip silently and quickly away on the opposite tack ...

_________________
HarryMurphey
H-18 mag/ #9458
Fleet 54 Div 11