In the interest of simplifying sailing with a jib and to eliminate lines in the cockpit, I experimented with a few ideas this weekend. My goal was to eliminate the jib sheets altogether and make tacking no more complicated than the original stock AI.
I was inspired by Roger Mann's concept of furling the jib into the main and his idea of using a short line attached to the mast to allow for self-tacking. I first tried this method. I was shocked by how well it worked. Here is a pic of my Roger Mann method.
Although this worked well, the perfectionist in me wanted to eliminate the jib curl at the clew and to prevent excessive cupping of the jib. So I ran, a line under moderate tension, from mid aka to mid aka and used an O-ring to attach the clew to the line. This accomplished both goals for me.
This left the cockpit clean with only one line more than a stock AI. That line is attached to the tack of the jib and allows you to bring the jib in when taking it down. Here is how the cockpit now looks.
Here is the self-tacking jib in action. Winds were about 4-5 mph.
By disconnecting the clew quick release at the O-ring, I can easily furl the sails. Here I have furled the sail 1/2 way making a shape like a lateen sail. Although not very efficient, it still sails.
Here are the sails completely furled.
Finally a few more views showing the slot between jib and main.
Videos to follow. I bet you will be amazed how well it worked.
I was surprised by a quick storm during this sail. I have video to show me frantically furling both sails as the first gusts of wind hit me from behind. The day turned out to be the ultimate test for the jib setup.
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