Jib halyard eyestrap

I have heard that many people install a eye strap in the front of the mast a little bit below the mast tang to run their jib halyard through to keep it tight to the mast. Does nayone have any experiecne with this set up. Do you like it? Have you run into any problems with using the eyestrap there? How far below the mast tang would I attach it?

Actually, it is usually located to the side of the mast to keep the jib halyard from catching the jib battens.

Yep . . . on the side is where I have mine but it's edged just a little toward the front. I use an Ausie halyard system but I used a fairlead instead of a eyestrap. No sharp edges on the fairlead. If I'd really been thinking, I woulld've used a roller failrlead. I can't remember how far down from the mast tang I put it but I mounted it at a 45 degree angle and low enough as to minimize the return angle of the halyard. This way, thr drag on the fairlead is minimized when you're tightening it.

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Happy Sailing,

David

Not necessarily. On the newer boats (with the turning block on the front of the mast) it can be located on the front of the mast, just above where the top jib batten crosses.

Isn't that because there is a jib halyard keeper on the side of the mast? The original post appears to be an aftermarket addition to keep the jib away from the halyard.

. . . . or the halyard away from the jib, which ever way you want to look at it.

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Happy Sailing,

David