jib view window

ddilman · #1 (**permalink**) 07-25-2005

I am considering a jib view window for safety purposes.
The other day, we almost ran over a tiny fishing boat at
anchor. Since then the blind spot is always stressing us.
Are there any draw backs to installing a jib view window?
Are there any guidelines as to the location and the size of
a jib view window?

RichH · #2 (**permalink**) 07-25-2005

A vinyl window installed as a retrofit is usually an easy job for a sailmaker. Things to avoid: placing the window near the edges of the sail or near any seams. If the window must go through a seam consider two windows - leaving the original seam.
One downside with furling headsails and vinyl windows: the moisture from a wet rolled/furled sail will turn the vinyl ''milky''; but, this will dissappear when the vinyl ''dries out'' and the absorbed water exits the vinyl.

Go for it, better than raising the sail up from the deck .... and losing all the ''end-plate'' effect of a ''deck sweeper'' that makes a genoa sooooo efficient.

ddilman · #3 (**permalink**) 07-25-2005

I should have mentioned I have a 135% sail with a roller furling and the boat is a Catalina 36.