I haven't replied earlier as I don't have any experience of these things. But whenever I've seen one, I've noticed the jib is at most 100%, possibly smaller. This seems necessary to allow it to swing across in front of the mast, trimmed by a single sheet.
I've seen this on large yachts where 100% jib is actually quite a decent size. My feeling is that with a Mac, not only would you need to get a smaller sail made, but it would end up too small to be effective.
Macs sail best with a genoa, other than heavy winds, so my feeling is a self-tacking jib just wouldn't be effective.
Anyone else got any thoughts?
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Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
I'm new to Mac M, but had a Timpenny 670 with a self tacking Jib. It was quite small though and had a sliding track just on front of the mast which worked quite well , although I did add extra lines pull the tack across in light winds. The rig was however designed for self tacking jib with a large fully battened main.
My little experience with the M is that it dosen't seem to need the the winch to pull in the working jib so it's manageable single handed, I have to say that I find the way the pullpit interferes with the set of the jib seems odd but I don't know if its supposed to be like that ?
I would be interested to hear how it works if you do go for a self tacker as I intend to sail single handed quite a lot and anything that makes it easier would be good to know.
I've got got a similar aged M to yourself. I always wondered about this issue of the pulpit and the foot of the jib (in my case 150% Genoa).
I saw it as a problem and have always rigged it high enough to fly above the pulpit.
However, watching the Volvo Ocean Race boats recently, I notice that they have fore sails that are tacked below the top of the pulpit and have the issue you mention.
Maybe it's not an issue at all??
—
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
I suspect that with the standard 100% jib a self tacking traveler would be too far forward so it would give lots of leach tension and little foot tension resulting in a poor sail form. Anything less than 100% may not balance with the main very well, unless the main is reefed. You would also lose the option to back the jib which can be useful to help a Mac turn off the wind in light air (unless you also add traveler control lines).
I don't think the jib and pulpit issue is a problem at all. Try playing with the position of the jib cars. Get the jib inside the pulpit when beating and as you slacken off to reach and run, the jib will simply pop over the pulpit rails.
I have no experience of a Genoa on a Mac, an asymmetric spinnaker, jib and main are enough for me.
Hi Jon
I haven't replied earlier as I don't have any experience of these things. But whenever I've seen one, I've noticed the jib is at most 100%, possibly smaller. This seems necessary to allow it to swing across in front of the mast, trimmed by a single sheet.
I've seen this on large yachts where 100% jib is actually quite a decent size. My feeling is that with a Mac, not only would you need to get a smaller sail made, but it would end up too small to be effective.
Macs sail best with a genoa, other than heavy winds, so my feeling is a self-tacking jib just wouldn't be effective.
Anyone else got any thoughts?
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Thanks for the thoughts Rick,
I have the original Jib which by memory is 100% and is as you say pretty small.
Jon
Hi Jon,
I'm new to Mac M, but had a Timpenny 670 with a self tacking Jib. It was quite small though and had a sliding track just on front of the mast which worked quite well , although I did add extra lines pull the tack across in light winds. The rig was however designed for self tacking jib with a large fully battened main.
My little experience with the M is that it dosen't seem to need the the winch to pull in the working jib so it's manageable single handed, I have to say that I find the way the pullpit interferes with the set of the jib seems odd but I don't know if its supposed to be like that ?
I would be interested to hear how it works if you do go for a self tacker as I intend to sail single handed quite a lot and anything that makes it easier would be good to know.
Regards,
John
Ashanti 2008M
Hi John,
I've got got a similar aged M to yourself. I always wondered about this issue of the pulpit and the foot of the jib (in my case 150% Genoa).
I saw it as a problem and have always rigged it high enough to fly above the pulpit.
However, watching the Volvo Ocean Race boats recently, I notice that they have fore sails that are tacked below the top of the pulpit and have the issue you mention.
Maybe it's not an issue at all??
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
I suspect that with the standard 100% jib a self tacking traveler would be too far forward so it would give lots of leach tension and little foot tension resulting in a poor sail form. Anything less than 100% may not balance with the main very well, unless the main is reefed. You would also lose the option to back the jib which can be useful to help a Mac turn off the wind in light air (unless you also add traveler control lines).
Dave.
Dave Newton Sailbadthesinner
I don't think the jib and pulpit issue is a problem at all. Try playing with the position of the jib cars. Get the jib inside the pulpit when beating and as you slacken off to reach and run, the jib will simply pop over the pulpit rails.
I have no experience of a Genoa on a Mac, an asymmetric spinnaker, jib and main are enough for me.
Simon Armitage
Sowenna 26M