Submitted on August 9, 2003 by Bob Vander Ploeg

Question: Hi, I've learned loads from your Q & A page, and your website in general. Thanks for all the help, now I have a question.

My 28' masthead sloop came with a storm jib which I'm preparing to try out, hopefully before I need it. Should it be sheeted to the toe rail, the inboard genoa lead track, the coach roof, or somewhere else? How can I determine how far from centreline the storm jib should be sheeted?

Many thanks,
Bob Vander Ploeg

Answer: Hi Bob, Most storm jibs are built with a high clew so that the athwartship sheeting position is less critical than with a genoa. The fore and aft position of the sheet lead is more important than the athwartships position. You will probably want to set the sail with a short pennant (about 1') at the tack in order to raise the foot of the sail so it doesn't rub on the pulpit or lifelines. With the sail hoisted, find a sheet lead position where a line projected along the sheet would intersect the sail luff halfway between the tack and head. If there is a genoa track and an outboard rail position available for that sheet angle, either one will work. The outboard lead will be a little better if you are sailing at apparent wind angles of greater than 50 degrees. However, when you use a sheet lead on the rail you will have to move the sheet from inside the lifelines to outside the lifelines as the sailing angle changes. For that reason the genoa track may be the better call.

Regards,
Dan Neri

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