Converting a jib to be self-tacking

[TWB]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

I thought about this too. Although I'm on a cat. I thought a pulley, deck mounted on centre line in front of the mast with a sheet running back to the helm. Once the sheet is tied and adjusted to your tack angle the jib will swap side to side just like a self tacking set up.


PS.. just read the above post and my method would not have good tension along the jibs luff, particularly on the wider the angles.

I had this problem tensioning the luff and also the foot on my last boat, which was self tacking. I was stuck with one angle of pull and could not pull down or back as needed. Always seemed to be a little bit of flutter.

When I ordered my next boat I got both a curved track in front of the mast and tracks on the sides. Now I can switch between them depending on my mood or the conditions. Definitely like having this ability.

[charliehows]

saw a lovely old schooner wafting around the other day with windsurfer style wishbone booms on both fore and jib - effortless self tacking.

[degouwb]

Tell me more. I have a staysail arrangement that could use your pulley idea I think.