Has anybody ever put jib lead tracks on their boat's cabin top???
Yesterday I had the head of the rigging shop inspect my rigging. I asked him
where I should put the track for my new CDI roller/reefing and after playing
with the jib lead on my lapper and talking about the working jib, he
recommended putting track on the cabin top, on the outside where it meedts the
vertical wall of the cockpit (because the corner makes the deck very sturdy
there). He explained that it was too far outboard on the deck for the lapper
and the working jib if I wanted to be able to point high. I was pretty
surprised at that; I had considered putting them on the side deck next to the
cockpit wall, but I never considered putting them on the cabin top.
Today, the sailmaker who is making my new mainsail, came out to look at the
boat. I asked him the same questions and after unfurling the sail, he said
the same thing - put them on the cabin top at the outside edge where it's
strong. Same explanation -- sheet the jib inboard to point higher.
They both said that I'd need a separate lead further back and outboard for the
genoa. I have an existing track and car on the freeboard above the rub rail
that would work.
One attractive feature of this arrangement (if it works) is that I can adjust
the genoa car from the companionway when I furl the sail. No need to go on
the side deck to move the car forward.
Has anybody ever done this? Jerry Barrileau and I are going to go out when I
get my new sail (less than two weeks) and experiment with my jib lead
placement with out gloved hands. We'll let you know what the results are.
Judy Blumhorst, DC
WWP-#266 "Red Wing"
SF Bay, CA