Has anyone looked into making a self tacking Jib for the 235?
The Jib clew comes such a little way past the mast (if at all) that it almost seems a pity not to have one.
The elements would be
- a boom pivoted at the foot of fore-stay (would the bowsprit be long enough?/ too long). The sheet would lead to the forestay and back along the boom through a block to the sail
- a horse (if that is the right word) mounted between the existing tracks to hold the boom down via a a block running on a circular section horse, or a car running on a track. Thames barges used a rope grommet I think on a steel bar.

Alternatives are possible:-
- No boom, but the horse geometry has to be more precise so that the jib has the same sheet tension as it tacks, and I am not sure how the sheet would work (still back to the fore-stay foot, or cleated through a mainsail type block on the horse?)

There are no doubt lots of reasons why this would not be practicable, but I would be interested to know of peoples speculations.

---

I used to sail on a Maxi 1000 which had a self-tacking jib. It didn't have a boom and the horse was a section of a circle centred on the forestay. The sheet went from the clew, down to a block on a ball-bearing carriage on the horse, then to a block near the tack and back via various guides to a sheet winch.

It was great for beating up narrow channels but it was hopeless off the wind. Your boom could improve that no end!

Geoff

Thanks for the info

Perhaps you could have a secondary sheet, for use off the wind?? ( in light winds would/should be using the assymetric or my new genoa

http://freespace.virgin....james.hamilton/forum.jpg 

---