Once a year we like to entertain our neighbours by hoisting our storm jib whilst we’re alongside. Not much new to be learned from it, but it does force us to get it out of the bag and give it a thorough check over for any signs of chafe or other damage.
We have a hanked on staysail for our OVNI 435 Pèlerin which can be reefed, although we’ve never used that facility, but we carry a dedicated hanked on storm jib ready to go when necessary. When that time comes the storm sail comes into its own in so many ways – high visibility orange helps us to be seen by shipping amongst white water, and the sail is designed and built to cope with the brutal treatment dealt out in wild conditions without major damage. We think it’s a vital part of our sail plan.
Any suggestions for those of us who have roller furling jibs and staysails? I admit I am one of many who has never set the storm jib despite a 42,000 mile circumnavigation and a recent trip to Greenland.
Hi David
I can remember storm jibs for racing yachts back in the 70s that had luff tapes to fit headfoils, so I’d have thought that it would be possible to have one made with a tape to fit your roller extrusion – one option. I’d also suggest that it would be far more viable to change a roller staysail for a storm jib, due to its smaller size and position further inboard, something that simply shouldn’t be tried with a big roller headsail.
However, I’m sure your roller staysail and its associated gear is pretty bulletproof, so may be up to the job. Otherwise, maybe have a detachable solent stay just aft of the roller headsail, to fly a hanked on sail.
And may neither you, nor I, have to set the storm jib in anger!
Best wishes
Colin
Nice system, you are much more organised than me…
But saying that, I normally have my storm jib hanked on to the babystay/inner forestay all ready to go with a good sail cover on it, but I suppose that subjects it to a bit more wear and tear, and for tropical sailing I might try storing it below like you do. With a setup like yours I often hank it on under the staysail, just switch the halyard, unhank the staysail and you are ready to go.
I also like to have a downhaul on the sail (normally the loose tail of the halyard) this means I can drop the sail from the mast and there is no chance of losing the halyard up the mast or over the side.
I completely agree with testing it all out in flat water on a nasty very gusty day, gives you a good idea of balance, sheet leads and what kind of halyard and stay tension you might need; for example, is your running backstay system up to it; is the mast pumping too much; is the foredeck flexing; or sheet lead blocks and attachments up to it. Just make sure you have a good sheltered anchorage to leeward…
I am actually pretty comfortable with using the Roller Reefing Genoa clew instead of a storm jib If the wind is aft of the beam, it’s less committing, further forward to help keep the bow down, and very easy to adjust for the perfect amount of sail. But I do this only because my sail and furler are pretty solid. I wouldn’t try it on a much bigger boat, or one with old dodgy gear…
I could switch my storm jib onto the solent stay to do the same thing…maybe I should try that one day, guess it’s less wear on my Genoa clew.
Thanks for the great article and pictures.
Hi Ben
Thanks for some great ideas.
I take your point about having the sail hanked on, and I’ll have a look and see whether that might be viable for our boat, even though I’d prefer to only put it in place if I thought we might actually need it.
I’ve never used downhauls on a modern boat, but why not? We used to have them on the working jib and staysail on a big gaffer with a widowmaker bowsprit and they were a Godsend.
And you’ve got to try the whole kit out, as you say – there’s no point in buying a storm jib and then finding that the necessary gear isn’t up to the job – the strongest point is the weakest link. And practice makes perfect.
We also have a detachable solent stay just aft of the roller headsail for our light weight genoa, which could in theory be put to use for the storm jib downwind. We haven’t tried it out yet, but will give it a try. However, my preference is to use the inner stay, and we’ve found that it works well there, especially if you’re trying to go upwind.
Thanks for the comments
Colin
Colin – Nice post, especially the photos of the setup. In theory at least, how does the reefing of the storm jib work (I can’t quite see it in the photos)? I’ll be ordering one shortly and curious about reef points. What is your sense, are reef points one more complexity to forgo on a sail that should be dead simple (assuming it is properly sized)? Or are they a worthwhile addition?
Hi Christopher
It’s our staysail that can be reefed, not the storm jib. We took the staysail with its reef points on the basis that we can shorten down quickly when sailing coastally, and we haven’t got far to go to get to shelter. I don’t think I’d be interested offshore, as the sail is too low in that configuration and so vulnerable to damage from water across the deck, and in any case, if it’s reached that stage then it’s time to go for the storm jib in my book. The time to reef is, as always, when you think of it.
Kind regards
Colin
Thanks Colin, When snotty out there I have always managed with the staysail or at times a partially rolled staysail but I have yet to see it really really angry out there. But there is still time…
David
I like the orange color! I might have to consider a full set.
Hi Jim
It makes a big difference, especially in rough conditions when a small boat (generally being white) can be very hard to spot.
It was not unknown ( some time ago) for sail training yachts to have the head of the main and genoa to be fluo orange, or a wide stripe just below the head. It does tend to fade, though, so shouldn’t necessarily be an integral part of the sail, just a sacrificial strip that can be replaced. If you sail a lot in busy shipping areas (like the English Channel) it may help.
Best wishes
Colin