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My previous boat, a Luffe 40.04, had a line from the clue that was permanently attached. This line was about 3 meters of so and ended with a loop where we could attach the sheet with a snap shackle. We used to sail with only one sheet attached on the lee side. When gybing, the mentioned loop was close enough to reach so that we could attach the new sheet and let the working sheet go (using the snap shackle). I found this a good method. Perhaps the shackle can be dangerous if whipping around, but we never had that problem (mostly sailing in calm waters).
Cheers and thanks for a great forum.
Hi Christian,
That’s interesting but I don’t think it would work on an outside jibe and I would worry about the time taken increasing the chances of a headstay wrap on an inside jibe. What was the advantage over just having two sheets?
Hi John,
I think there are pros and cons. It makes it simpler and faster to manage only one sheet instead of two (I’m always a bit concerned one could go under the boat). On the downside you’ll have to go up on deck to release the snap shackle. We use it sailing two handed. Perhaps not such a good idea for single handed.
Hi Christian,
Hum, I guess I’m still having trouble seeing this. To me pulling the clew in toward the boat and messing with is just upping the chances of a headstay wrap. Ditto slowing the gybe down. To me anyway, the goal here is to keep the sail as far away as I can get it from the headstay, and on my boat that is aided by the 6′ sprit.
That said, I hear you on the danger of getting the lazy sheet under the boat, but there are two answers to that: a “rhino horn” on the sail just above the tack to catch the lazy sheet (what we have) and/or a batten extending a foot or so past the sprit end for the same purpose. Also, I would rather have a sheet go under the boat, annoying though it is, rather than headstay wrap. More here: https://www.morganscloud.com/2021/12/13/john-goes-sailboat-racing-and-learns-stuff/
What diameter and material are the sheets?
Hi Thomas,
12 mm LIROS Dynamic Plus Cruising Dyneema. I could have gone with 10mm but went with 12 for handling.