Question on running jib sheets

[Survivor]

I've always run my jib sheets outside the lifelines but a friend of mine who has sailed the west coast and Bahamas has suggested that I run them inside the lifelines. He says that since I can pull my jib closer to the wind if the sheets and foresail are iniside the lifelines, it's the way to go. I'd appreciate any comments on this?

Harris

[blt2ski]

That is a correct answer, the issue/problem will be if you can do this to your boat with out incurring many $$ in expense's putting the lines inward. OR< if you stays are connected to the outer hull, putting them inside the lifelines, may do little of anything for your boat! My boat where my stays come down at the edge of the cabin, a foot inside the lifelines, does make a HUGE difference in how tight I can sheet my genoa/jib vs if I had to sheet the genoa/jib to the rail and outside the life lines.

Marty

[lbdavis]

Depends on the boat (size of head sail, location of primaries, height of life lines, location of shrouds, etc), but your friend is likely correct.

Bring them inside if it allows you to sheet in better, just watch for chafe points on the sheets (e.g., stantion, shroud, lifeline) at different points of sail.

[scottyt]

on my boat the sheets run out side the life lines. the reason is if i run them inside i cant run as tight to the wind for some reason. my stays are attached to the toe rail, and i run about a 115 jib. now, i do sheet them in tight to the life lines, and my boat does not have a jib sheet travler. also if i run them inside and i am on a reach they rub all over the stays holding the clew in too much for decent sail shape. i think it really depends on a lot of things, including the condition of the sails, location of where the clew of the fore sail is when sheeted in etc.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by Survivor

I've always run my jib sheets outside the lifelines but a friend of mine who has sailed the west coast and Bahamas has suggested that I run them inside the lifelines.

Depends on the boat and how she's rigged. If your shrouds are out at the toe rail, as are those on our Pearson P30: Can't do it. But if your shrouds are more inboard, so there's actually some room between the lifelines and shrouds: Then perhaps you could gain some pointing ability by moving the sheets inboard of the lifelines.

Jim

[Boasun]

Stays or shrouds?? Come on guys....

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by Boasun

Stays or shrouds?? Come on guys....

Corrected. Thanks, Boasun: That was quite a synapse lapse

Jim