Index

Jib Tack Pennant - (To raise a hanked on jib)

I use this 8" long 1/8" cable pennant to raise the foot of my hanked on jib above the deck so I can see ahead for navigation and collision avoidance.  In really rough water, it keeps the tack of the jib above the waves that break on deck, saving the sail from tearing.  If I'm in a hurry to secure the anchor or a dock line, I can pull the jib up the forestay for clear access to the mooring cleats.  The jib can also be held up off the deck with a short line looped under it & to the pulpit or a jib halyard wrapped

The tack horns on the bow are designed to hold the tack of the jib to the deck.  The problem I have with this fitting is that if the jib goes slack for any reason the sail usually drops off the horns.  You generally discover this after you tension the forestay against the mast head fitting!  Boy is it frustrating to see the jib pop off, especially if you are racing or sailing in a dicey situation.  If this fitting would have been equipped with a shackle hole it would make life so much easier.  

If you want something captive to attach a jib to, drill a 1/4" hole through the tack horn fitting, between the horns.  Chamfer the edges of the hole to remove the burrs.  Now install a clevis through the hole so you have something captive to attach the tack of the jib to.  If you wish you can also attach a pennant to the clevis as shown above.  Be careful how long you make your pennant. The head of the jib must not be jammed against the masthead.  If that's your situation then it doesn't matter how much you tension the halyard, the scallops will never disappear!  The only way the scallops can be removed is to pull the tack down with a downhaul line.  Adjust the luff tension to your liking.  Don't have a jib downhaul?  Then use the spinnaker downhaul.  It should work quite fine. 
 

Return to Tech Tip Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Have a Question?