Date: 4/7/2009
Name: Steve
email: steve.blumer@gmail.com
subject:jib cunningham
In response to my suggestion the class reconsider the ban on jib cunninghams, given how difficult it can be to fine tune halyard tension under sail in heavy air, Doug suggests:"Try the old Harken Magic Box. The box mounted on the side of the mast and the control line run to the cockpit will give you 6" to "10" of adjustment(depending on size of the box). Just rig it with a cleated fid block and it works great. Been using one for 10+ years. Should they be out of production you can make the same type of rig with a few blocks and not mess with the class rules."
That's a good idea, or even rigging extra purchase through a series of blocks. I think that's what I'll do.
But that a more expensive and complicated system is required to perform a simple task than a $15 investment in a jib cunningham, seems evidence that the ban should be rethought.
I recall the Laser class abiding the same philosophy. A simple boom vang with only a few inexpensive prescribed pieces of hardware, for example, was all that was allowed. But it offered insufficient purchase, making the rule therefore highly advantageous for stronger sailors, while seriously disadvantaging weaker ones who could not make sufficient adjustment in heavy air. How ironic that those who most needed to depower were the ones who couldn't do it. Over time, to compensate, increasingly sophisticated systems of knots and loops were developed to increase purchase. Until the class finally changed the rule to allow a bit more hardware doubling purchase.
Keep it simple is a good idea. But when simple effectively means more complicated, then perhaps revisiting a decision makes sense.
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