mid-boom block car / track

[GreenLake]

I have Barber inhauls, so unreeving the jib sheets would mean that I would have to fiddle with getting both sheets and Barber haulers set up again the next time. Also, I have a single, continuous sheet (with a soft shackle tied to the middle) and I like to tie the free ends together (easier for single handing), which would be another knot to retie.

So, I started with disconnecting at the clew, leaving the sheet in place for the season. That worked fine.

Then I realized that I didn't even need to disconnect the shackle, if I flip the rolled sail end-over-end onto the bench. Happy side effect: the sail stays connected to the boat.

(Aside: the continuous sheet with soft shackle connecting the mid point to the clew is somewhat forgiving in that it is noticeably less likely to catch on something during a tack. And if I ever let the jib flog for any reason, there's not a big metal shackle to be whipped into something. I do tie the free ends together so I can use whichever one I can grab while single handing, to pull the other end to me. Also useful with any not so expert crew, as it's easier to reach in and help out if necessary).

[Bud]

My barberhaulers are just aluminum carabiners so clipping them on is no big deal. I also use a single continuous jib sheet* and have considered adding a soft shackle (another winter project, currently using a larkshead knot). I do like the thought of leaving the jib sheets in place.

I also like the idea of tying the jib sheets together, especially for singlhanding.

* My "single jib sheet" is actually one red (port) and one green (starboard) lines spliced together. I find color coding is helpful, especially when taking guests. "There are no passengers on a sailboat, only crew members."

[GreenLake]

I have a green jub sheet Must mean I'm on starboard all the time?

I purchased my jib sheet "as is" from the "off-cut" section at the local sailing store. It's probably a bit heavier than it should be, and strong enough to lift both boat and tow car, but I like the feel of it. I do OK in light winds, so the effect of weighing down the jib can't be that much. So I'll keep it. It will probably outlast (my ownership of) the boat.

Because of the way it's constructed it resists tangling, which is a nice bonus.

As barber haulers I have all-plastic blocks from some one-design dinghy, could be Laser, not sure, spliced to some three strand line. That choice based on my having mastered splicing that type of line at the time. When I rig them at the beginning of a new season, I always mess up something and have to start over. My fairleads are ratchet blocks, which I find really helpful, but in rigging you have to get the orientation right, another reason to not re-rig those during the season.