|
Author
|
Topic: Sandpiper jib leech flutters.
|
Richard
Member
|
posted June 12, 2004 10:04 PM
   
Hi,
I'm a novice sailor, and I've only had my Sandpiper out a few times. I'm pretty happy with how it sails, but I can't seem to stop the leech of the jib from fluttering.
I'm wondering if I have something adjusted wrong, or is it is a problem with the sail? It has a furling jib, and the previous owner had left the sail rolled up out in the sun without any protection, so I am beginning to suspect this may have damaged the exposed edge of the sail, as it is quite faded.
I'd welcome any advice on what may be the cause and how to correct the problem.
Thanks, Richard.IP: 216.86.96.83 |
Hyprstitch
Member
|
posted June 12, 2004 10:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Richard:
Hi,
I'm a novice sailor, and I've only had my Sandpiper out a few times. I'm pretty happy with how it sails, but I can't seem to stop the leech of the jib from fluttering.
I'm wondering if I have something adjusted wrong, or is it is a problem with the sail? It has a furling jib, and the previous owner had left the sail rolled up out in the sun without any protection, so I am beginning to suspect this may have damaged the exposed edge of the sail, as it is quite faded.
I'd welcome any advice on what may be the cause and how to correct the problem.
Thanks, Richard.
IP: 67.40.133.135 |
Hyprstitch
Member
|
posted June 12, 2004 10:53 PM
I've never used a roller furling jib, but it sounds like your not close enough to the wind.Sid IP: 67.40.133.135 |
piper576
Member
|
posted June 13, 2004 01:04 AM
Hi Richard I have found that the furling jib on my piper works fine but must be all the way unfurld. Because its a wire luff you have to make sure its really tight and the bottom of the furl drum is as close to the deck as possible, when I got mine it had a long shackle that I removed because it kept the foot to high in relation to the jib sheet slide block. I find the working jib best unless theres little wind - theres alot of pressure on that furled jib make sure you pull it in tight or steer a couple of degrees of or into the wind and see if it makes a differance.
BobIP: 209.226.190.180 |
Richard
Member
|
posted June 13, 2004 09:00 AM
Thanks for the replies, Sid and Bob.
I should have mentioned the problem is worse when close hauled, and seems to be less or goes away when reaching or running. It is just the edge that flutters, annoying to watch and makes a motorboating sound, otherwise the sail shape seems OK, and the tell tales stream back nicely. The furler is not the type that works for reefing, it is just used to roll and unroll the sail. I don't have a working jib, just the genoa. I will try tightening it more next time I go out.
Thanks, Richard.
IP: 216.86.96.83 |
Hyprstitch
Member
|
posted June 13, 2004 09:12 AM
I got my new turnbuckles yesterday form CL boats. Going to West Marine today to get a couple of other thing I need. I should have all in order to go sail the Valhalla Breeze next weekend.Sid IP: 67.40.133.135 |
whited
unregistered
|
posted June 13, 2004 11:13 AM
Sid... were your turnbuckles broken or just bent a bit? I can see a small bend in mine. CL charges $ 35.00 each but the 'Binnacle' here in Halifax charges $ 39.00 each. With postage costs they are probably even unless the CL ones are better quality.IP: 156.34.81.41 |
Richard
Member
|
posted June 13, 2004 12:16 PM
I recently replaced mine due to slightly bent screws, with the ones from CL because Binnacle's would have been too long according to their info online.
Must be nice to have a store like Binnacle nearby! I have to mail order everything, and even though I'm on the other side of the country, Binnacle is one of the best places to shop online.IP: 216.86.96.83 |
Hyprstitch
Member
|
posted June 13, 2004 02:23 PM
Mine have been bent for as long as I've had the boat. But the last time out I was wondering why my wife was working so hard at raising the mast. I forgot to set the turn buckles in the up position. Bent them good. If I would have been raising the mast without her help I would have caught it and corrected the problem.The Turnbuckles seem to be a sandpipper item. They sure are pretty stainless steel. I'll get them put on the boat during the week. I'm starting to twitch from lack of sailing. Sid IP: 67.40.133.135 |
whited
unregistered
|
posted June 13, 2004 05:15 PM
It's even better than that. We also have 'Marine Mail Order Supply' within walking distance of the 'Binnacle'. This keeps the Binnacle's prices reasonable. At one time Binnacle was located downtown and seemed very expensive. We used to have 'John Leckey Marine supplies but they merged with IMP and moved to Burnside Business Park across the harbour. If you like a 90 mile drive, another good supply store is 'Stright MacKay' in New Glasgow.
see ** http://ca.binnacle.com/online/
** www.mmosonline.com
** http://www.stright-mackay.com/
** http://www.impgroup.com/ IP: 156.34.90.38 |
Eric
Member
|
posted June 13, 2004 06:58 PM
Very interesting thread.
I too have some difficulties with leech fluttering on the headsail, mostly the bottom 1/3 or 1/4 of the leech. I have been flying the hank on headsails lately.
A couple of things I've thought about to try and resolve this problem are, to have leech lines sewn into the leeches of the jib and genoa. As in the mainsail, tightening the leech line may correct the flutter. The other item that may correct the problem is getting longer tracks for the jib car. It appears to me that the sliding block needs to go further forward. If I pull on the sheet, downward near the turnbuckle, the fluttering stops.
Both these solutions are going to cost though, and making the right choice first could save money if one of the ideas is not correct.
I will try Bob's idea of lowering the tack a little more. I am able to try that right away.
Any thoughts on my ideas?Eric IP: 130.63.85.93 |
elmet3
Member
|
posted June 14, 2004 08:43 AM
Never had that problem. The tack of my genoa is directly shackled to the stem plate. IP: 67.107.33.106 |
Darcy
Member
|
posted June 14, 2004 08:57 AM
I'd would try sliding the fairlead (Sliding block) further forward too. That should put some more downward tension on the leach stopping the flutter. In a real blow I'd shift it back to open the slot more. This will reduce power in the sail.As a past racer I would have kept the furler low as well. However when cruising a number of the Sanpipers seem to keep it higher. This helps stop the jib from fouling in the lifelines. You can also see a lot better under the sail. (Comfort over speed? - As a racer I never thought I'd hear myself say that!) I don't think the furler height will cause flutter as you can adjust for that at the fairlead. D'Arcy IP: 67.71.52.150 |
Eric
Member
|
posted June 17, 2004 06:52 AM
I went out for a sail yesterday and did some experimentation. The winds were very light, >10knots. I had my #2 up. I did not reduce the hieght of the tack, however I did experiment with the jib lead car. On my point of sail, close reach(?) I had the car fully aft, and the leech fluttered. Moving the car forward reduced and elliminated the fluttering!
Not sure if the track is long enough for the #1, or the storm jib to have the same effect. IP: 130.63.85.93 |
Darcy
Member
|
posted June 17, 2004 09:20 AM
I'll be experimenting (happily) with the fairlead settings all summer.Keep in mind that as you move them forward you might get too much tension on the leach. You don't want the upper portion curling in. I think some upper twist is good. As you move the fairleads forward you might try easing off on the sheet some to induce some curl. My opinion may change as I sail the boat more but the Genco jib we have seems a bit flat. If I was getting a new sail I would talk with the sailmaker and see if it could be cut to induce more twist. When you want to reduce the twist - move the lead back and sheet in more. D'Arcy IP: 65.95.109.57 |
Eric
Member
|
posted June 17, 2004 10:17 AM
Ah yes the fine art of sail trim!! 
I bought some ticklers for the jibs but have yet to apply them.
My 3yr old main has ticklers on the batten ends of the leech. It takes a while, (for me anyway ), to figure out how to get them to all flow aft! I've noticed a lot of interaction with the slot and jib trimming, and the effect on the main. Sometimes when the main is set perfect, and I mess with the jib, I can mess up the main telltales! I'm certain you know what I mean D'Arcy !
Interestingly, yesterday, that Tanzer 7.5 I was talking about in another post, set his sails, and promptly left me in his wake. We were sailing on the same tack. I was trying to work the wind to my advantage, and maintain good trim, to the point where I was a few boat lengths behind him! He saw me gaining on him, and realized he had better pay attention, and trimmed his sails!! I later got a real chuckle out of that! I guess my point is, I enjoy using the tools I have to ensure effecient trim, and I'll catch you if I'm in the mood  . If you owe me time, as in the Tanzer, you wouldn't want to be embarrassed by a Sandpiper!!! Sail on, Eric IP: 130.63.85.93 |
Richard
Member
|
posted May 11, 2005 09:01 AM
Just a follow-up regarding the jib leech flutter problem I posted aboutlast summer:
I took the sail to a sailmaker, she said it was sun damaged, and installed a leech line which has completely solved the problem.IP: 207.200.159.116 |
Eric
Member
|
posted May 11, 2005 12:58 PM
Thanks for the update! I've wondered if that could solve some of my problem too. Pulling down on the leech does solve my problem. Having longer tracks, and moving the car up forward has the same effect! It pretty expensive to replace the track and cars though!
Happy sailing!
Eric[This message has been edited by Eric (edited May 11, 2005).] IP: 130.63.85.93 |
Ken
Member
|
posted May 11, 2005 01:02 PM
I find that sail ticklers are very useful, especially on a jib. ShortWave's Plastimo bulkhead compass has a built-in inclinometer to indicate angle of heel. We once had it over at 35 degrees while beating upwind, until the rudder stalled and the boat rounded up into the wind. 
Our Niagara 35 has a fancy brass pendulum style heel angle inclinometer. When it exceeds 25 degrees we hear things crashing around in the cabin. Guess we need some more bungee cords!
Our winter marina neighbours live year-round on their lovely Hunter, built in the 80's.
It has a special inclinometer. A voice says, "What are you DOING?" when he allows the boat to heel excessively. IP: 141.117.228.250 | |
