Self Tacking JIb Kit

[Paul White]

Tacking and gybing the Weta solo means you often have to do three jobs at the same time – handle the tiller, tack the jib and gybe the gennaker – which is fine if you get it right every time but can cause havoc on a crowded turning mark.

The Weta Self Tacking JIb kit takes care of one of those tasks so you can concentrate on sailing and keeping your eyes out of the boat.  It also means there’s less rope to tread on or get caught around your foot.

In the recent Queensland State Championships, the two leaders both with self-tackers, had a 15 tack dual up the last beat that ended with a dead heat. Try doing 15 tacks in a row without making a mistake.

No fixings are required to attach the track to the deck – just the right adhesive – and tracks are available for both older (<#1000) and newer boats. The sail is 6% smaller but deeper cut and in race testing, it’s proved to be no slower than the standard jib because you make up ground in the tacks and gybes.

Standard colour of the track supports is white – custom colours available with boat order.

The revised 2022 installation guide is here

TIP: Apply the adhesive in beads using a notched adhesive spreader rather than dabbing it on, as it will cure faster as the air can get to the adhesive (see technical bulletin here)

Note that the central track support doesn’t seem to be necessary as in practice we’ve found there’s little stress there when the jib is tacking.

Here’s Glenn executing a perfect planing gybe using the Self Tacker in a fresh breeze, while keeping his weight at the back of the boat.

• This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Paul White.
• This topic was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Paul White.

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[Paul White]

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Self Tacking Jib Tips

If you’re having issues with scratches on the top of the bow from the original all-steel block  which has sharp edges, consider replacing it with the all-plastic RF25109 (standard on new boats) which comes with a Dyneema core lashing. NOTE Tie the lashing through the middle of the block as shown – otherwise the block may split apart under load. Alternatively, use a 5mm Ronstan Shock (Sheeveless Block) which is lightweight adonised aluminium, cannot fail under load and has rounded edges that won’t scratch. The Dyneema is slippery enough to allow the line to feed through the Shock without causing wear. For best security, instead of tying a stop knot in the lashing for the block which can pull through the hole in the deck, knot the lashing under the bow. Check the holes in the deck. If you find the lashing is starting to wear a groove in the deck where it exist the holes, consider adding a Deck Bush, like this range from Allen Bros. Available in colourful adonised aluminium, Acetel or Acetel with a stainless steel insert. If you have an older boat without the central track support, you may find it helpful to add a pad eye to the deck in front of the track and attach a pair of blocks so the sheets are fed under the track without snagging.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by Paul White.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by Paul White.

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