Crew Duties: Jib
There are two jib positions, Port and Starboard. When tacking in heavy wind, Cockpit can assist in tailing.
Area of Responsibility:
One side of the cockpit beside the jib winches.
Controls
Jib Sheet
Roller Furling (Port side only)
Jib Car Turning Block
Spinnaker Guy
Spinnaker Sheet
Expectations
Autonomously trim the jib for best speed and time the jib sheet release for the quickest tacks. Adjust the turning block along its track to control the jib’s twist.
When unfurling the jib, ensure the furling line is released at a controlled speed so it doesn’t knot up at the drum. Also take up slack in the lazy sheet as you unfurl so the line doesn’t get caught on the fore hatch. When furling, the active jib sheet and the jib furling line work together for a tight roll when furling.
The jib winches always require three wraps in heavy wind.
Trim the spinnaker sheet with Cockpit Crew’s help. When flying the spinnaker, sit on the opposite cockpit seat to view the sail’s leach (trailing edge). Cockpit will have a winch handle in the spinnaker sheet winch ready to crank. If the sail starts to collapse, yell “Crank crank crank,” Cockpit cranks, then “Stop” when trimmed. A trimmed spinnaker sail has a slightly flopping curve to it’s leach.
Prepare to Come About on the loose side: Three wraps, pull in slack, insert handle, “Ready!”
Prepare to Come About on the tight side: Carefully unwrap the line out of the self-tailing groove, no slacking the line. Hand the winch handle to the other Jib. “Ready!”
Coming about in heavy wind: Wait to release the jib sheet until the wind will push the tack all the way to the other side of the boat. Too early and the tack flops to long, slowing us down. Too late and the other Jibber has to crank more, slowing us down.
Examples:
Deploying the Jib:
Check the wind and determine we will need a port side deployment.
Jib P: 3 wraps on the big winch and roller-furling line handed off to a free crew-member to control the unfurling speed.
Jib SB: Lazy sheet is free and clear.
Helm: “Prepare to deploy the jib, port side!” (You have already foreseen this call and are already set to go.)
Jib P and SB: “Ready!”
Helm: “Deploy the Jib!”
Jib P: Pull the port jib sheet as your designated helper controls the furling line speed.
Jib SB: Keeps the slack out of the starboard jib sheet during unfurling to prevent it snagging on the fore hatch.
Jib P: Once deployed, autonomously trim the sail for best speed.
Spinnaker Hoist:
Helm: “Prepare to hoist the spinnaker, port side…Raise the pole! … Prefeed the guy! … Hoist the spinnaker! … Furl the jib!”
Jib P: Release all but one wrap from the active jib sheet, then pull the furling line until tightly furled.
Jib SB: Ensure the lazy sheet is free and clear any snags while furling.