Trimming with a self-tacking jib system

[Kalle Wirsch]

Hi!
I was wondering - how can you play with sail trim on a cat that has a self-tacking jib system. There are no jib cars that can be positioned, so… I guess you use the traveler?

Thanks,
Kalle

[Factor]

Originally Posted by Kalle Wirsch

Hi!
I was wondering - how can you play with sail trim on a cat that has a self-tacking jib system. There are no jib cars that can be positioned, so… I guess you use the traveler?

Thanks,
Kalle

Good cats with self travellers have a Jib Clew control system that manages sheeting position

[Kalle Wirsch]

I had no idea. Thanks!

[huckieCA]

With a self-tacking jib, the adjustment that you would normally get from the jib cars comes from adjusting the sheet attachment location on the sail clewboard, which should have 5 or 6 attachment points in an arc.

Moving the sheet attachment point on the clewboard down would equate to moving your jib car towards the stern, flattening the sail and allowing the top of the sail to twist.

Moving the sheet attachment point up on the clewboard would equate to moving your jib car forward, deepening the sail while reducing twist.

All that being said, self-tacking jibs are generally pretty small. So in light air, you've probably switched to a screecher or another larger headsail, rather than trying to fine tune your jib.

[Kalle Wirsch]

Oh man, thx so much. You’ve just solved a riddle for me. Very helpful!

[Hesti]

More possibilities:

Having a strop at the bottom of the sail and hoisting a bit higher (if there is room for it on the furler profile / forestay).

Putting the block that redirects the sheet coming from the bow and going to the sail not directly on the self tacker car but on a strop connected to the car. You can change sail trim by changing the length of this strop.

Both have the same effect as moving a genua sheeting point forward on its track.