jib pig tails

Hey I was wondering for you guys who use pigtails on the jib, how long do you run them?

Thanks guys,

Adam

I've never measured them, but they're approximiately 12" long, maybe a little less. Basically, they need to be short enough that they don't bottom out when the jib block is in it's forward-most position and the sail is sheeted in tight (The forward-most position that you actually use. Typically we don't run the jib blocks any farther forward than 1/3 of the way back from the front of the track).

Another thing that I've found is that I prefer to tie the pigtails directly to the jib clew grommet and get rid of the shackle all together. You will have to thread up the jib sheet each time you rig, but in doing this, you eliminate the chance of the shackle hanging up on the diamond wires or worse, accidentally becoming undone.

sm

With help from Matt M. and many on the Forum, I changed to pig tails years ago.
(Try a search on the Forum).
Firstly, they are not class legal for racing.
Secondly, they are very user friendly.
If you want, email me off line at lunnjohn at magma dot ca, and I'll send you some pictures - one day I'll figure out how to post pix on the Forum.

I took some line (? 5mm ?), about 48" long, and looped and secured the mid-point of the line though the jib clew shackle, so I ended up with two 'ends' about 24" long. Each loose end got strung through the hole in the jib clew block, then I tied a figure 8 knot. When we rig, I attach the shackle to the grommet at the clew of the jib, and we're good to go.

Now, run the math. Approx 2 feet per pig tail, each side, means that the jib sheet can now be trimmed about 8 feet. That makes for a much tidier and more user friendly trampoline. Smiles, especially from the hard working crew.

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

Incorrect. We have been racing with them for many years and most racers use them. Taken directly from the Hobie 18 class rules:

2.3 Pig tails for the purpose of attaching blocks may
be added to the clew of the jib and the boom
bale

Just to clarify, from my previous post, when I stated that they are approximately 12" long, I was refering to the distance from each block to the clew grommet. The overall length of the line would be closer to three or four feet as stated above. The best method would be to start out with a line that's a little long, rig the boat up, slide your jib blocks forward, and sheet in to an upwind setting. Set the knot in the pigtail so the jib blocks are about 3" away from bottoming out, then trim the excess pig tail.

sm

Live and learn, thanks for this.
Sounds like you are encouraging me to race, which might be a good thing.
If only I could convince the First Mate, she who must be obeyed....

I liked your tips about how to set the pig tails, will try as soon as the ice melts...which may only be in May!

Happy Holidays

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

John,

You can use 1/8" Spectra/Vectra/Dynema line for the pigtails .... I start w/ a piece maybe 36" long .... (approx .95m or 95cm for you metric people). I attach the pigtail to the jib as discribed above ....

I leave the jibsheet rigged all the time w/ the jibsheet blocks on it ... I tie/attach them w/ bowline knots to the pigtail .... I use Harken Micro Blocks ... w/ the SS housings .... I tried some blocks w/ "plastic" housing but had them chip/break from striking the mast while tacking .... Note: My current jibsheet is 1/4" Yale Conception line ... very light ... I'm trying to minimize the wieght hanging on the jib clew ... and thereby effecting the jib shape in light airs ....

My first set of pigtails I made from a broken/ol' jib halyard that I swaged to the jib w/ the blocks also swaged permenately on ... that didn't work too well ... the wire and swages scratched the sh-t out of my mast .....

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

can someone post a pic of these? or send me an email with pics?

_________________
eric, sail #205

While the purpose of this photo is to show off the fancy splice work, this is an example of jib sheet pig tails:


It gets the blocks away from the sail, reduces the length of the jib sheet and reduces windage.

That's some really nice splicing ....

Some of us tie (or sew/whip) the "pigtails" together about 4-6" down from the jib clew attachment point ... it helps w/ the jib passing through while tacking and not getting hung-up on the mast (diamond wires mostly) ..... I tie my blocks on w/ a "bowline knot" to the pigtails when rigging (the blocks stay on my jibsheet line which stays on the boat and is stored in a trampbag) ... and tape them up ..... this prevents the block from flipping/spinning end for end and also there is nothing exposed to get caught on the mast w/.

Those are the blocks I used until one day my "pick-up" crew while racing let the jib flog .... the blocks beat against the mast ... the outer plastic housing broke and the ballbearing(s) came out ... I know use Harken "Micro" blocks which have a SS metal housing .....

Also remember if you are leaving your Jib on the boat overnight furled .... using short piece of small line, go through the clew plate and around the jib, to tie the jib up for the night so it can not come unfurled. (I don't know how many times I have furled up a jib (someone elses) that as come un-furled when I do my "last boat check for the night"

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

wow that is some nice work! thank you... i don't think mine will be that cool but i now see clearly how it works. so, the purpose is to reduce the 2:1 to a minimum length then?

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eric, sail #205

Be careful ....

You should check your jibsheet two different ways ....

Follow SRM's advise above ..... but also check to see that you have enough jibsheet left to "furl" the jib ..... you can shorten the jibsheet too much and then when you go to furl the jib, you may not be able to "furl" the jib all the way.

I have mine set-up so that when the jib traveler car is all the way forward, I'm 4-6" short of being "block to block", tho I sail like SRM w/ my jib traveler set approximently 2/3 the way aft (second rivet usually) .... and when I "furl" the jib (w/ the jib travelers all the way forward) my jib furls except for the last 6-8" which remains exposed. When leaving the jib on/up overnight I tie a line, passing through the clew plate and around the jib (I like to use "2" wraps) as I mentioned above.

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