TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Self-Tacking Jib

Ahoy,
Anyone ever chartered (or owned) a boat that had this rigging? Chartering a Lagoon 52 in a week and from videos online it looks like the jib is rigged on a traveler.

Looking for reviews on this set up.

Thanks!

Self tacking certainly makes some things easier and simpler. The reason every boat is not rigged that way. You can only make this work with a tiny none overlapping foresail. The jib must be 100% or less. That would normally be the size of a number 3 or heavy weather sail. Easy to furl, easy to tack. The boat will never sail to its rating in light even moderate air.



It looks more like a motor yacht with pole and two stabilization sails for show. No way that design will ever go upwind with all that windage. Also note how far both of those clews are above the deck. The plus side you will also be able to see where you are sailing slowly.

Self tacking will mean easy sail handling. I don't know if it will tack through the wind any easier than a more traditional cat. I would love to hear your feed back about the boat after your charter.

The Island packets from island Yachts all have self tacking stay sails (In addition to larger genoas). I love using main and staysail when the wind pipes up. Great combination and tacks are lightning quick.