Colgate 26 Single Hand Jib Sheets (Using “Alannah Blocks”)
Ted Squire single hands his Colgate a lot and developed this simple two-part jib sheeting system. Need more details or help? Contact Ted at: tsquire@us.ibm.com
The parts needed are:
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2 X Harken #H2615 | 57mm Carbo block with cam cleat ($95) |
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2 X Harken #H061 | Stanchion mount base ($18) |
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2 X Avibank #AVK3R050 | 3/16” x 1/2” Push Button Fast Pins ($15) |
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1 X Layline #THJB2 | 2:1 Jib Sheet Bridles ($39) |
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64’ X 8mm Salsa Braid | Salsa is from New England Ropes ($75) |
The arrangement costs in the neighborhood of $300 and can be ordered from Layline, Inc.
Call Hal at 800-542-5463
Installation - General:
- Attach the 2:1 jib sheet bridle to the jib
- Attach a block with cam cleat to the port and starboard stanchion bases near the helmsman.
- Rig the single continuous sheet as follows:
- Tie one end of the sheet thru the hole in the middle of the starboard cabin top jib block
- Run the other end up thru a jib clew block and back down thru the cabin top block where you just started
- Run aft thru the spinnaker turning block
- Run aft to the block w/cam and then across to the other side of the cockpit
- Finish in the same manner on the port side
Installation - Details:
- Attach the 2:1 Jib blocks with a luggage tag hitch. It’s a squeeze but you can carefully fold the cloth behind the clew ring with pliers.
- The blocks w/cams are attached to the stanchion bases with Harken #H061 stanchion mounts. Make sure the stanchion mount is low and completely inside the stanchion base supports. If not your butt could hit the mount when the block is removed.
- The Fast Pins enable fast and easy block removal. If your blocks will rarely be removed the fast pins can be eliminated. But putting in those pins is a pain.
- Harken Carbo Blocks with cam are specified to allow the sheet to lead correctly across the boat. When correctly adjusted and holding a load, the cam will point slightly forward of athwart ship.
- The sheet was chosen to not absorb water and for best flexibility in light air. We tried 4 other lines and sizes before deciding that 8mm Salsa is perfect or you could substitute New England Ropes Bzzz Line. But normal stiff double braid doesn’t work well.
Sailing Single-Hand:
- Remember to turn off the ratchet on the spinnaker block. If don’t use a spinnaker, swap the blocks to the other side and you’ll have the luxury of racketing jib sheet blocks. Remember to turn off the ratchet in light air.
- Don’t pile the two sheets together. Keep the unused mainsheet forward of the Barney Post. Keep the extra jib sheet under the tiller
- First try it without the tiller extension and while sitting down in the cockpit. Remember that you have an extra sheet in your hands. But you’ll be using it naturally in a single afternoon.
- To ease the sheet, slide slightly aft while releasing the cam
- To pull in the sheet, slide slightly forward and pull thru the cam
Sailing with Crew:
- Pull the slack in the sheet forward
- Use the spinnaker sheet cleat in moderate winds,
- Use the winch in heavy air
- It’s not required that you unreeve the sheet for causal racing. The sheet across the cockpit doesn’t seem to bother the helmsman.
Photos
(taken while experimenting with a Sta-Set sheet)
Overall view without clew bridle blocks.
As the helmsman sees it.
Keep the cockpit tidy. Mainsheet goes forward. Jibsheet aft.
Lead to spinnaker block (note sheet bowlined to lead block).
Sailing
Close-up of block, cleat and mount. Note the angle of the cleat to the stanchion. This is critical and different helmsmen seem to like slightly different adjustments. Port & Starboard may also be adjusted differently. Maybe it is strength or wing span? Just play until it feels right!