Jib luff?

Alright sailors, I'm a newbie with a 18fter. When I am on a reach and almost flying, I can't get the jib leech to stop flapping whether its in tight or a little looser ( I don't think this is a luff). I have moved the block on the fairlead fore and aft (jib traveler?) and can't see the difference. I will adjust course, sheet main or jib in or out and the only time I loose the flapping is when it starts to luff or I head more into the wind. It's somewhat annoying and I am researching and reading to appropriately tune everything but when I'm really moving I just kind of ignore it. There is only one hole on the jib clew. Would pigtails help?

Also, any tips on keeping jib sheets from hanging up on various hardware when tacking?

Am on a lake in Maine with gusty winds and loving it everyday.
Thanks,
Ned

You're the second one today to post a problem with a flapping leech. You need a new jib.
Yep. Tie a length of bungee cord from one point of the front cross beam to the other, and route it around the mast somewhere near the mast rotator bar. I'm lucky because I use the wing seat bolts to tie off of. There are other variants of this solution but I don't know where to find them now.

Granted I'm a newbie to the 18 world, but I attached that bungie to the same ring that holds the daggerboard bungee's forward, wrapped jib sheet bungee through the diamond wires and across to the other dagger board ring. Worked slick, and didn't have a hang up the entire time. Hooking to the wings sounds like it would work too.

Adam

What I have seen mostly, and what I copied is hooking the bungee to one side of the dolphin striker - 4-5 inches off center then run over the boom pin or something close by then down to the other side of the of dolphin striker.

My jib does the same from time to time. New jib needed? Why is going on with the jib to make that the cure -stretching?

Thanks guys.

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1984 Hobie 18

Yep, stretching and a break down of a resin that makes the sails crisp. It's a common problem with old sails. I'm not an expert on sails, but others on the forum have said a sail maker can fix it but the difference between a repair and a new sail is what you need to decide is best for you.

You can remove this by changing the jib clew to a multi hole clew. Usually you need to go up one hole from center to eliminate the helicopter sound. You may also be able to raise the jib, changing the angle.

Think of it this way, even sheeting should pull on the foot and leech equally. If the leech is loose then the sheeting is not even and you need more purchase on the leech and less on the foot. It is possible that the sail is shot but I doubt that is the entire issue. Mast rake and forestay adjuster location have major effects on sail trim.

You can try messing around with the settings as mentioned above. You really don't need a multi-hole clew plate on the 18 jib because the fore & aft jib leads serve the same function.

If the leech or upper section of the sail is luffing or flapping, then move the jib car forward. If the foot is luffing, them move the jib car aft.

At a certain point though, the sails do wear out and the only way to eliminate the flapping is to have the sail re-cut or to replace it. Usually when it gets to this point, it's better to just replace the sail because the overall condition of the material has deteriorated to the point that the sail is likely to fail elsewhere.

It can be a significant chunk of money to get a new sail, but they do last for quite a while, so the amount of money over time is pretty reasonable.

sm

Awesome statement, now I can "figure it out" as opposed to memorizing it.

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H18, H17 & Various motor boats

I missed this part and need to modify my answer. If the jib does this on occasion then follow srm's advice. If the jib does it no matter where you set the jib car then you need a new jib.

Thanks for clarifying. I'll try the jib car adjustments.

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1984 Hobie 18