Storm jib questions

BubbleheadMd · #1 01-08-2010

If I were to have a storm jib made up for my boat, what is the typical percent-size? Or do you specify a size when you have one made based on the specifications of your boat?

What are they typically made of, as compared to a working jib? Are they less or more expensive than a working jib?

I have an older boat, without a roller furling, and I actually don't want to install one (for now, anyways). I'm just trying to keep things mechanically uncomplicated.

I'm thinking one of these may be useful for the Chesapeake summers.

Here are my rig dimensions: Coronado 25 dimensions

sailingfool · #2 01-08-2010

the storm jib is really a sail for survival conditions, I had one on my last boat and in ten years never founfd myyself in conditions where I needed to use it.

A small jib like a 85% is a very nice item to have though...that got used a lot!

JohnRPollard · #3 01-08-2010

Bublehead,

Unless you're planning to head out to Bermuda, invest your money elsewhere. You will get no use out of a storm jib on the Chesapeake. As SF said, and I mentioned in a previous post, storm jibs are for near-survival conditions off-shore. Coastal sailors will be holed-up before conditions get to the point where storm sails are called for.

During the summer, Chesapeake winds tend to be light-to-moderate, occasionally punctuated by a summer squall. Your best approach in the high-wind thunder squalls is to stow sails for a few minutes while the storm passes. Even with a storm jib aboard, by the time you strike the working sail and set the storm jib to fly, the high winds will have passed.

A smallish jib in the 90-100% range would come in useful during the autumn or spring times when winds tend to be heavier. Am I remembering correctly that you already have one in that size range?

BubbleheadMd · #4 01-08-2010

Yes, I have one in that size. I think it's 100%. Hey, it's great to be told that I don't have to buy something!

deniseO30 · #5 01-08-2010

a couple of years ago my son and I got caught in one of those squalls when we were up near still pond. My gawd! I was actually sailing a reach. (one of the few times I actually got the wheel away from my adrenalin junkie son)
he said.. "see that?" see what?? the clouds are coming over fast! "nah" said I. "better roll em in!" he said! wake up Denise! this is the young man that loves sailing with the rail dipped and he's telling me to roll em in? Well no sooner did we get the sails down and engine running we were in like 6ft waves! yee haw! it was fun but brutal with the bow crashing. finally we made it into a cove and dropped the hook to wait it out. but got bored after a couple of hours and motored up to ordinary point as the conditions eased up.

Don't think I'd ever want a storm jib or have the time to deploy one on such short notice.

MarkCK · #6 01-08-2010

I have an off the rack storm jib. It was intended for a boat a lot bigger than what I have. Basically I bought it for a really small jib when the wind conditions dictate. I never bought it with the intent to use it as a survival sail. Its probably not the best choice in sails but it works great for what I use it for.

imagine2frolic · #7 01-08-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by deniseO30

a couple of years ago my son and I got caught in one of those squalls when we were up near still pond. My gawd! I was actually sailing a reach. (one of the few times I actually got the wheel away from my adrenalin junkie son)
he said.. "see that?" see what?? the clouds are coming over fast! "nah" said I. "better roll em in!" he said! wake up Denise! this is the young man that loves sailing with the rail dipped and he's telling me to roll em in? Well no sooner did we get the sails down and engine running we were in like 6ft waves! yee haw! it was fun but brutal with the bow crashing. finally we made it into a cove and dropped the hook to wait it out. but got bored after a couple of hours and motored up to ordinary point as the conditions eased up.

Don't think I'd ever want a storm jib or have the time to deploy one on such short notice.

This is why I love my cutter. Roll up the genny, and unfurl the stysail.

.........i2f

nolatom · #8 01-08-2010

It would be made of dacron, same as your working jib, except *really* heavy, say 9-10 ounce cloth weight, versus about 3-4 oz for your weekend jib.

Also much smaller, say about half the size of your working jib, it would cover only about 30-40% or the foretriangle, maybe less. Basically, you want just enough jib to balance out a storm trysail, so you can bear off when you need to and not have too much weather helm.

blt2ski · #9 01-08-2010

I'm going to put the do you need a storm jib from a "maybe" standpoint. If you sail as Denise did on her day out with her son, the chance you will need a SJ is slim or none!

"IF" on the other hand you end up racing as I do. An SJ can be a help, or as mentioned, a sail in the 60-80% range vs a SJ at 30-40% of the fortriangle area. I find with a double reef with winds above 30-35 my SJ is nice to have. On the other hand, I will admit, it would be nice to have something tween the SJ and my 110, ie about a 70-80% sail.

The do you or do you not, frankly, will depend upon "YOUR" useage of your boat in what seasons conditions etc. I sail all year here in Puget Sound, and have found myself caught racing in some 30+ winds, a small jib is nice to have. If not, you turn on the iron genoa in these conditions, then a SJ si not really needed. So put me in the "DEPENDS" vote end of things.

Marty

pdqaltair · #10 01-08-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by BubbleheadMd

If I were to have a storm jib made up for my boat, what is the typical percent-size? Or do you specify a size when you have one made based on the specifications of your boat?

What are they typically made of, as compared to a working jib? Are they less or more expensive than a working jib?

I have an older boat, without a roller furling, and I actually don't want to install one (for now, anyways). I'm just trying to keep things mechanically uncomplicated.

I'm thinking one of these may be useful for the Chesapeake summers.

Here are my rig dimensions: Coronado 25 dimensions

Many have never been used, and you won't use it in a "real" storm.

A storm sail is NOT just a small jib. It is heavier cloth. More importantly, it is cut high on the foot and is very flat. This is IMPORTANT. The high foot makes it easy to get the sail flat and it keeps it from taking your ear off. It must be flat because you cannot feather a full-cut sail. For this reason, self tacking jibs make poor storm sails - they are hard to flatten and are cut low on the foot.