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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Jack Lines

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mroettersr
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/07/2002 : 00:40:25

Over the past few years, I have often heard of using a jack line in conjuction with a mainsail jiffy reefing set up. On my C22, I intalled mast gates to avoid having to drop slugs out of the mast slot when reefing and it seemed to work well. As an alternate way of setting up the first reef, I'd like to know more about the set up using a jack line on the first few slugs. Can anyone say how this jack line is rigged? Are there disadvantages of the jack line over using mastgates?

Mike Roetter
'83 C25 #3568 SK SR

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Rick Heaverly 86 C25 5382
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Belize
206 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2002 : 06:30:33

i am not sure of how to set up jack lines for reefing. all i did was install two sail stops. one above the slot to stop the main from coming out of the track and one below the slot so the gooseneck doesn't pop out. i do have a tall rig, so i'm not sure that has any bearing on it.

Rick Heaverly
"Invictus"

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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2002 : 09:19:46

Hi Mike,

There's no question that the mast gates make reefing, hoisting, and lowering the mainsail much easier than other methods. Plus, you get the sail down to the gooseneck for furling instead of bunched up above the wide part in the kerf.

The easiest way to describe the "jack line" setup you're thinking about is to say that on the bottom four slugs (or from the bottom slug to the slug above the reef point) you'll use a light (1/8") line instead of shackles. It's a pretty simple lacing affair.

Tie the light line securely to the bottom slug. Lead the line through the next grommet up and then lace the line through the slug and back through the grommet. Then up the sail again to the next grommet and slug. Finally tie off the line securely on the uppermost slug. This whole operation of lacing and tieing is most easily done with the mainsail hoisted fully. That way you can snug up the grommets closely to the slugs.

This system works. But, you'll get a bunch of "string" that tends to catch on the gooseneck and other fittings close by just about the time the sail is within 2 or 3 feet of being fully hoisted. Someone will have to go forward to untangle the mess (assuming your halyards are led aft on the cabin top).

Frankly, I've got the mast gates and wouldn't go back to the "jack line".

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

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