[Rhodes22-list] Self Tending JIb

Tue Oct 8 10:14:53 EDT 2013

I tried this with furling my 130....it worked great .... I rigged my the opposite hand (started at the starboard shroud and ran through the port side, because I had a cam cleat there that would service; and maybe I get a little dyslexic)..... very happy with the results and may use this a great deal more, except of course in very light winds ..... 

Charles
98 R 22
s/v Day Dream
Arlington, TX

> From: jac2 at wavecable.com
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 05:52:54 -0700
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Self Tending JIb
> 
> Some time ago, I posted a request to those on list for any information 
> anyone had on self tending jib options for my refurbished 92 Rhodes. I asked 
> about sail dimensions, rigging options etc. What I got in response were 
> questions and a note from Stan that he would be willing to revisit his 
> design on the problem. I just went ahead and started with the only known 
> requirement...... A smaller jib sail.
> 
> I wanted to solve several problems.
> 
> 1. The 175% jib is too large for easy single handed operation unless it 
> stays reefed.
> 2. The 175% unbalances the boat severely in moderate winds above 12 knots or 
> so.
> 3. The 175% is too small to be useful when reefed far enough for a self 
> tending rig.
> 
> I had seen many comments on the list about concerns in winds above 15 knots 
> or so. In my experience with other boats, things don't get fun until you get 
> above 15 knots. This has been our first summer on the boat. It was clear 
> immediately the 175% had to go unless you wanted to race and had an 
> experienced first mate willing to constantly tend it.
> 
> Reefed however, the 175% operated wonderfully even in light winds. It was 
> clear a smaller sail would be prudent and a self tending rig that could be 
> easily used or not as desired would be ideal but, I had no idea what kind of 
> rigging would be required. All I knew is that the jib sail needed to be able 
> to swing free when fully deployed. I measured the boat for a 100% sail, sent 
> the dimensions to Doyle and had one made.
> 
> The 100% worked great with normal rigging. Winds above 20 knots were no 
> problem even under full sail. Furling was easy even under a full wind load 
> and swapping sheets in tacking was quick and simple.
> 
> Options for the self tending rig included everything from a full duplication 
> of the main rigging (boom, topping lift, traveler and sheet) to just a 
> single line run through the clew and tied between two points somewhere on 
> the bow. The single line has worked very, very well  and allowed sustained 
> speeds above 5 knots in 10 to 15 knot winds. It also handled higher winds 
> with no trouble.
> 
> Here is how it is rigged.
> 
> The clew of the 100% sail just passes the forward shrouds under normal 
> rigging with port and starboard sheets. A slight furling can stop it at the 
> forward shroud and still leave about 90% of the sail deployed. This is the 
> position it is in for self tending. The normal sheets stay connected and 
> just loose enough to allow it to swing freely to each side. A single block 
> is attached to the jib clew and another single block is attached to the base 
> of the starboard forward shroud. The self tending line is secured first to 
> the base of the port forward shroud, routed through the block in the sail 
> clew, then through the block at the base of the starboard forward shroud and 
> finally through the starboard inboard eye and jam cleat to the the left of 
> the jib furling line. This allows the single line to act as outhaul, 
> traveler and sheet and leads all lines to the cockpit. Sail shape can be set 
> easily by adjusting the furling line and the self tending line.
> 
> Switching between use of the normal sheets and the self tending sheet is 
> quick and easy. The boat sails under perfect balance on either rigging 
> because of the smaller jib. I was able to let the rudder loose and keep the 
> boat on course by just adjusting the main sheet under both rigging 
> conditions. Down wind runs were easy and reaches were even better than 
> normal since the jib sail could be pulled closer to the center line. Speeds 
> above 5 knots were easily reached and maintained. I doubt, I will be going 
> back to the 175% under any conditions.
> 
> I have no intent to post pictures on the list. If anyone would like me to 
> take some and send them, please email me directly. I will be happy to supply 
> the sail dimensions and pictures of the rig.
> 
> One other note. I removed the winch.  I considered it dangerous since it had 
> no automatic kill switch at its top limit and could pull its self out of the 
> transom if something happened to the remote. It was a 3,000 winch. In its 
> place, I set up 4 double blocks to serve as a hoist. Two were attached to 
> the upper winch strap bar and two to the lower. I installed a jam cleat on 
> the platform over the strap slot in the transom to secure the line. It works 
> great and allows me to lift and lower the engine ( 6 HP 4 Stroke Tohatsu) 
> with one hand. I used the now vacant strap slot to route the wires for my 
> Humminbird 858 DI Combo system.
> 
> Take care and good sailing........
> 
> Jay
> Port Angeles, WA 
> 
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