Association Forum - how do i install a jack line?

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

how do i install a jack line?

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

77Gypsy
Captain

Member Avatar

USA
356 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/17/2004 : 22:19:03

I need a jack line for my harken single line reefing system but do not have an idea on how or what it is.

Steve
78 C25 SR/FK - Gypsy

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2004 : 09:52:49

Hi Steve,

I've not heard the term "jackline" used specifically with regard to single line reefing gear. Can you quote the source?

In my experience, a "jackline" is generally the term given to a line that lies on the deck from bow to stern. Sailors secure the tether from their safety harness to the jackline so that they can easily (and safely) move around on deck during foul weather. This "jackline" is often a rope or small SS wire......or -now- more often 1" nylon strapping that lies flat on the deck.

There is an old sailing term - "jack rope" - that refers to the line that secured a sail to a yard arm or other spar. In that framework, I wonder if your "jackline" might be the line that ties up the reefed sail to the boom.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

Dave Laux
Captain

Members Avatar

318 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2004 : 10:02:40

The luff slides on your sail that are near the reef grommet will prevent the grommet from being pulled down tight to the boom for reefing. The solution is to put the slide on a piece of line that is passed through the shackle that would normally hold that slide. The line is then fastened to another location lower on the sail so that when the luff is pulled tight the slide is held in its normal position. I will try to take a picture of ours and post it tomorrow. Dave

Edited by - Dave Laux on 09/18/2004 10:03:50

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2004 : 17:57:52

Take a look at http://www.blumhorst.com/potterpages/Photopoint/0010/h0001.htm

Also http://www.cruisingdirect.com/Images/JackLine.jpg

The rest you can google for yourself...

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 09/18/2004 18:00:38

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2004 : 10:37:23

Hi Dave 'n Dave,

I'd forgotten about the luff jack line since I've had the mast gates for so long.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

Jack Heaston
1st Mate

Members Avatar

48 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2004 : 12:03:41

Hi Steve
The excellent photos from Dave Bristle show a double cringle arrangement for the sail slides that you might not have. My 83 has single gromets.
There is a very clear drawing from the C25 Tech Manual that shows the mainsail jackline arrangement. If you email me your USPS mailing address, I'll photocopy it and send it to you.
The drawing calls for a 1/8" dacron line. I used a metric one a tiny bit larger, but less than 3/16", and wish I had followed the instructions. The line tends to bind up in the sail slide bail and I have to be careful each time the main is raised to make sure the line is running freely before final tensioning with the halyard winch. As a rigger once told me, "The winch always wins."
The single-line reefing works really slick and I have successfully shortened the sail both close hauled and running in 12-15 kts. When going to windward, heaving to allows me to get the last of the slack out of the line from the main's reef clew gromet aft to the turning block on the boom. Not having to leave the cockpit when singlehanding is a real plus. Hope you enjoy it.
Best regards,
Jack
83 FK/SR 3944 Rag Act

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2004 : 11:42:41

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 09/22/2004 11:53:04

Jack Heaston
1st Mate

Members Avatar

48 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2004 : 10:52:43

Hi Frank
Great pictures, as always. Very pretty.
I'm wondering - since you have the wide slot in the mast blocked so the sail slugs can't fall out, why do you have the jacklines? Is it becasue the slugs tend to hang up on the keepers screwed on the mast while you're reefing?
Just curious.
BTW - Since I am new to the C25 this year, I was really impressed with the way the boat sailed with a single reef in the main and the working jib. Close hauled, when the wind picked up past 15 kts, I put in the reef. When it slacked off back to about 10 kts, I was too lazy to shake out the reef, but the boat speed didn't seem to suffer, according to the knot meter. I don't have wind speed/direction, so these are just estimates.
Best regards,
Jack
83 FK/SR 3944 Rag Act

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2004 : 12:14:24

The jack line allows the sail to fall away from the mast and boom so the slides do not stack on bunched up sail. Notice how tight my foot is, and how low the reefed tack is, that is what they do for you, they really clean up the goose-neck area in a reef. They also allow that large single mass of sail to act as a sail cover when your sail is on the boom. It is hard to explain but after you lower the sail you just grab the jack line area of sail and haul it over the top and it covers everything, a quick tie or two and you are done. Of course at the slip you put your cover on.

Edited by - on

Jack Heaston
1st Mate

Members Avatar

48 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2004 : 19:26:12

Frank
Was wondering how you got such a beautiful shape out of a reefed main. Thank you for the explanation.
Best regards,
Jack

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.