Weekend Sailing

Great weather this weekend allowed me three days of sailing. I have a question though--with the boat securely beached I will sometimes leave the jib up but loose and just take down the mainsail.

Is there any potential harm to jib sail in doing this?

There is definitely risk leaving the jib up with the boat unattended. A wind shift or increase in windspeed could flog the jib, wrap it around the forestay causing broken battens, or even flip your boat. At the very least, you're exposing the sail to unnecessary UV radiation which causes accelerated breakdown of the dacron and faster aging of the sail. Considering the amount of time it takes to hoist the jib, about two minutes, its really not worth the risk.

sm

I agree, when you hang on the beach loosen the down-haul and release the jib tension and the cat will sit there quietly, if it is blowin, drop the jib and roll it up leaving it rigged and wrap the jib sheet around it to keep it secure, then all you do is raise it and tension, if you are leaving it unattended drop everything.

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Bodhisatfa

Fla. Sailor,

I also went out this last Sunday since it was supposed to be 10-15 mph winds but ended up closer to 5 mph. At least the air was warm and sunny.

I normally sail in St. Andrews Bay and out through the Pass into the Gulf around Panama City Beach.

I see you listed your area as Fla. Panhandle, anywhere near here?

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Tim
84 H16
82 H16
87 H14T
Tortola Sails: 115222
Blue Prism Sails: 88863
Clearwater, FL

Pensacola. I do my sailing in East Bay. Sail #74336.

Oh that's cool, I live on the south side of East Bay off Hwy98 ..

Where do you put in to sail in East Bay ?

I usually sail in the sound, putting in at Navarre or P'cola quietwater beach [ great for cat trax launching ]

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'99 WAVE
Gulf Breeze, FL

I keep the boat on the beach down from my house in a subdivision (and I use that term lightly) called Dickerson City. That was the reason for my question.
There's a boat ramp two blocks south of which I use for loading when needed. With a decent wind Escribano point is just a few minutes away.

i think a furling jib kit would do the trick for you... makes getting out on the water faster....

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•Present boat -1998 Hobie 16 Solana Sails furling jib[/size]