Jib Cunninham/tensioner adj systems

[JP233]

A few questions for you

Who has them?
What do they do?
how do i make one?

i think id like to add them to shiny, but im not 100% sure what the affects would be.
if anyone has any photos, il love to see them.

[Clive Everest]

Who has them?  Not us
What do they do? Cost money and make your boat a bit heavier
how do i make one? Look at cool beans.

[JP233]

Banshee ambulance has one and ive been wondering about why its useful. To be honest, i still haven't found an answer, and on top of that its been in my head all day hence why I've turned to you for help/ridicule.

[Tim Noyce]

It depends if you are talking about a jib cunningham, or an adjustable forestay.

A jib cunningham allows you to adjust the tension in the luff of the jib.

An adjustable forestay allows you to adjust the tension of the rig, via the tension of the forestay.

We had a jib cunningham on 2694, but only because of the zip luff, and it was the easiest way to terminate the halyard. I can't say we ever adjusted it on the water, it just occasionally let go on us (which was very annoying). That was just a cleat under the foredeck with a line lead back to it to adjust the tension. Not very fancy. We did used to adjust the tension of the jib depending on the wind strength for the day, but I can't say it's something i'd necessarily bother with again.

An adjustable forestay requires quite a lot more hardware, as you will need a purchase system capable of pulling on your rig tension, (think boat breaker... but attached to your boat) which is then lead back into the cockpit. This is normally in addition to adjustable shrouds, so that you can adjust your rake and tension on the fly. This is very I14 thing and I am sure it is very fast if you know what you are doing. Probably not any faster than setting up your boat and sailing well without the additional weight you will add though.

[RobinJones]

For a couple of reasons I've a jib cunningham on Banshee Ambulance.

Like Tim on 2694 I've a zip luff jib, which used to be a pain to tie off tightly or accurately.

My system is a 2:1 at the head of the jib, which runs down the luff and through a turning block at the bow, and down the side of the boat to another 2:1 system with a clam cleat.

The main benefit is that its now quicker and simpler to attach the jib, but also we sometimes adjust it on the water, if its windier than expected, or it builds etc. Jib luff tension settings are also now repeatable, which is useful.

I think its quite useful really, and the only extra weight i'm carrying due to it is a block, cleat and 2m of string.

[JP233]

the only extra weight i'm carrying due to it is a block, cleat and 2m of string.

but if we look at your light wind results from the nationals....

[dave_ching]

It is on Beans.
I makes rigging easier and counts to my 50KG
It does allow me to swap between jibs quickly.
Basically It is a fine adjustment to the sheeting angle and also controls the depth.
It is ok.
It is in the list of things on little chilly that can be called nice to have but not important

[Ed]

Ignorant question, so you need to be able to take the jib down without rolling the boat over in the rules?

how do you adjust your sheet angle.
if you dont have an adjustable clew attachement or more complicated sheeting system how do you change the leech tensions i guess you need move the jib up or down the forestay...

I have both an adjustable halyard and cunningham and it is a bit of a pain, would prefer if it more fixed.

[Tim Noyce]

Ed, there are no rules with regards to the hoisting or lowering of sails.

Historically, most people needed to roll their boats to get the white sails on or off the boat. (although it is now more common that people can lower them on the water)

[pratn0]

the is a rule that you have to be able to take the main off without releaseing standing rigging.

4.3.3    The mainsail must be removable without releasing the standing rigging

this is to prevent any laser/moth style luffs.

there is nothing in the rules around jibs.


i like the idea of the Cunningham enabling the change of sail shape on the water.