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Self tending jib
Hi Jim,
Based on your statement that you will be doing a lot of single handed sailing, I would offer the advice to consider a boat with self tacking jib. My old 30' Cape Dory ketch had a club footed jib and it made sail handling a breeze. No more jib sheets to crank in, just point and go. I think the question for other people is whether they feel this sail arrangement results in a noticeable loss of performance. The jib can not overlap the mast since the jib traveler if before the mast, so it results in larger mains and smaller jibs. For my money it's worth it. I just went to the New England boat show in Boston and there's a 32' Hanse ($130K+/-) that has self tacking jib. I told my "crew" that this single feature would make me buy that boat if all else were more or less equal. There are other manufacturers who have self tacking or club footed jibs, new or used, so think about it. If you sail in an area where you are forced to tack in or out of narrow passegways you would certainly appreciate the benefits. Good luck with your boat search.
-Nazz :)
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