I did have a jib downhaul when Manatee was gunter rigged. The working jib
was small enough that there wasn't much to blow around when the downhaul
and jibsheets were pulled tight and cleated, and the boat balanced well
with reefed main and no jib. I would have more faith in my ability to
reduce sail with a jib downhaul than with the much more complex furling
gear. What do you do when the wind is overpowering and you can't lower or
furl your genoa or lapper because the furling gear is jammed? Still the
convenience and flexibility of jib furling would be nice, so long as it
worked. It's a tradeoff.
The gunter-rigged Potters sold by HMS Marine in the late 60s and early 70s
had few options. There was no reefing capability. The rigging and sailing
instructions said that reefing a Potter consisted of lowering the jib. I
believed that and sailed for many years with no other means of reducing
sail, often with white knuckles, repeatedly releasing the mainsheet to
spill air. The mainsail, on its yard, could be quickly and positively
lowered in seconds, if necessary, and I could then power in on the ol'
reliable Seagull, which was the standard issue outboard for Potters.
I eventually got smarter (that took a long time) and conceived a reefing
method for the gunter rig. I was amazed at the increase in my comfort
level. I also added a jib downhaul, which not only allowed me to lower the
jib quickly from the cockpit but also secured the jib down so it would not
relaunch up the forestay if I turned into the wind. I acquired a genoa
also, but I found it to be useful only in near calm conditions, so going
forward to change foresails was never a problem.
Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain v=View, CA