Single sheet and block on jib/genoa?

[MoorOrLess]

Hi Jim, You might be correct. I am just using the naming convention used by Lagoon. Previously would have just called it a self tracking jib, but been reading the Lagoon manual too much....

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by MoorOrLess

Hi Jim, You might be correct. I am just using the naming convention used by Lagoon. Previously would have just called it a self tracking jib, but been reading the Lagoon manual too much....

Perhaps it’s a French to English translation issue, as the non-overlapping, self-tacking headsail on our sloop rigged French catamaran is called a solent in the boat’s manual.

In any case, our self-tacking jib has exactly the set up described by the OP. One end of the jib sheet is made fast to one end of the jib traveller track (which is about 4 m long and sits directly in front of the mast, going athwartship between the two hulls) then goes through a block on a traveller car, out to the jib clew and around a Harken 75 block, back through the second block on the traveller car, then through a couple of fairlead blocks and back to the cockpit. A separate line controls the traveller car offset from centre.

The sail is completely self tending during tacks and gybes. Due to the long track the jib rarely has more than a metre of sheet between the clew block and traveller blocks. For reaching if we really cared we could barber haul it out to the rail but it’s not really worth the hassle unless there’s not enough wind pressure to hold the sail out (in which case we have probably furled it and use the gennaker instead). A curved track would preserve the trim when moving the traveller out or in, but wouldn’t fit on our boat and the small jib sheet adjustment needed is no big deal.

There is absolutely no safety risk with the block on the clew plate as the sail never has so much sheet out that it could flog to any degree. Except of course when easing the sheet to furl. And keeping clear of the jib clew is easier on a catamaran as the working platform doesn’t narrow as you go forward.

Our model of boat has apparently sold approximately equal numbers of self-tacking jib as of overlapping genoas. We certainly prefer the ease of tacking and gybing and accept the poorer light air pointing performance. Hence our gennaker is likely flatter than for those with genoas, but we can carry it to 40 AWA in up to 7 knots true, above which the jib performs just as well at a slightly tighter angle.

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by fxykty

one end of the jib traveller track (which is about 4 m long .

so, on the sheeting angle (and the block flailing issue) - yes, probably way less of an issue for multi-hulls (because of the possibility of a very long track) than on Monohulls where the track will be much shorter and the jib wanting to be sheeted beyond its end on a reach.

[Flcapt]

Years ago when ever we heard the term Solent Jib it refered to a self tacking jib that either had the sheet leading forward to the stem or up the mast to allow equal setting port and starboard. In recent years the same name has been applied to a large stay sail that sets close to the head stay and does not require runners.
So I guess you differentiate between a solent jib and a solent sheeting system (which can be rigged on a staysail, solent jib ,or a non overlaping working jib for self tacking.

To the OPs question, if there is a single sheet with a block on the clew, then it is most likely a attached to a track and is a self tacking rig. If well designed its a handy thing.

A solent sheet does not need a block on the clew to self tend. If creating a self tending rig that does not take a turn up the mast or forward, then you will need a block on the clew.

[JBP]

Probably a staysail, but a twinger rigged sheet also uses a block (typically a low friction ring) to control the sheet angle instead of the traditional track slide. Though there would be the standard two sheets.
https://l-36.com/twing.php