Jib Sheet Setup--Opinions?

[Dave R]

Here are some pictures of my jib sheet to clew setup. I'm curious as to what others (particulary the expert ;) ) thinks nof it. Keep in mind this is a small, non-racing boat, 16' LOD. I've been using it for three years without any problems but I'm curious as to what others think of it.

First, the clew. I don't know what to call this little piece of line. It has an eye on one end and a large stopper knot or button on the other.
http://hamiltonwoodworks.com/drichards/Misc/sail/tm10.JPG

Next, the jib sheet(s). A single piece of line, middled with an Alpine Butterfly.
http://hamiltonwoodworks.com/drichards/Misc/sail/tm11.JPG

And finally, the two together. The button is passed through the butterfly and back through the eye.
http://hamiltonwoodworks.com/drichards/Misc/sail/tm12.JPG

I've never had it come apart on its own and I like it better than having a shackle of other metal hardware there. I believe my bride prefers it, too, when she decides to sit on the foredeck.

[MikeR]

Very cool, I'm going to try using it for spinny sheet attachments.

Cheers,

MikeR

[MikeR]

I believe that it would be called a strop. I made a couple from 3/16" Spectra and will try them out on Wednesday evening races.

Will let you know how they work out. Gonna call them 'Davestrops'.

Cheers,

MikeR

[Dave R]

Oh boy! I'm gonna be famous. :D

I'd be interested to hear how this arrangement works for you. I've never had a lick of trouble with mine and it's so smooth I can't see how it would hang up on any thing.

I've been giving it more thought over the weekend and I can understand that on a larger boat tan mine, one might not want to use a sinlge piece of rope as both starboard and port sheets. In that case, I think simple eye splices in the ends of the sheets would suffice with the same sort of strop in the clew of the sail.

It seems to me that this would almost totally eliminate snaggy stuff and would be extremely light weight for light air sails.

Good luck with it.

Dave

[MikeR]

You might just want to middle the sheet and put in two brummels (as if splicing a 12 strand). I've done that for jib sheets and it seems to be the most snag free.

Cheers,

MikeR