H18 jib traveller positions?

Hi. First post. New to forum.

When do you move the jib traveller fore and aft? Ie- aft when close hauled and fore when running?
Apologies if this is a SUPER NEWBIE question.
Thanks in advance,
T from Toronto

Hi Tequila,
Traditionally, sailors move the car forward for downwind sailing (to keep foot tension off and leech tension on) and then aft again for upwind (to flatten foot again). The correct upwind position also is variable depending on how much mast rake you have. The more rake you have, the further forward the car must go.

I, however, just set and forget the fore aft position. To the extreme extent that I have removed the tracks all together.

On the Facebook group HOBIE 18 SCENE there was a recent thread with a photo of the ideal jib sheeting angle for upwind sailing. I will try and post that here (which may fail due to me being technologically challenged at forum pages).

There are numerous photo albums and photos on the website and Facebook pages in the addresses below.

With my “set and forget” jib block position: on the downwind course the crew manually holds the jib in the correct position in light to moderate wind and, when it is too windy to hand hold, use the blocks and ensure it has the right twist. Upwind, just sheet in firm in light wind and very tight in medium to strong wind.

Hope this helps.

_________________
John Forbes
Hobie 18 Reimagined
Sail # 490
Boat name: 18@heart
http://www.hobie18.fun
https://www.facebook.com/Hobie18catamaran/

Thanks John. Greatly appreciate the info. Very helpful to a fellow learning the ropes.