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Submitted
on June 3, 2004 by Tom Goebel
Question: I just bought
a used North Sails jib and I’m not sure it will work with my boat.
It has a grommet at the foot and head of the sail and a wire along the
luff sewn into the sail. The wire doesn’t extend to the grommets.
There are also several small lengths of webbing with snaps on the ends
that form a small loop when snapped closed. These loops extend along the
luff about every 2 feet or so.
This sail is small. It’s measurements are: Luff- 15’ 8” Foot- 6’
I’d like to convert this sail to hank-on but I’m not sure if it’s ok just to clamp the hanks right on over the wire.
Any feedback would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Tom Goebel
Answer:
Hi Tom, Your
sail is made for a small boat. The rig it was designed for is set up so
that the wire in the luff of the jib will essentially become the working
headstay when the jib is in use. The webbing snaps are there to attach
the jib to a smaller wire that is the permanent headstay. The permanent
headstay will go slack when the jib is fully hoisted.
Your boat probably has a larger permanent headstay that will hold the
rig tension while sailing. You can convert the jib for use on your boat
by removing the wire and webbing snaps and adding #0 grommets and hanks.
If you cut the snaps carefully you may be able to set the spur grommets
in the same holes. The webbing straps should be cut off with a hot knife
and the wire can just be cut at one end and pulled out.
Regards,
Dan Neri
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