Question for traditional riggers

[Roger Long]

One of those things I never thought about:

What kind of knot was tradionally used to fasten headsail sheets to the clews? Bowlines snag on headstays. The topsail sheet bend seems like a good candidate but, why is it called that if it is also used on jibs?

[Thad Van Gilder]

well, you know, some of us have a jib tos'l, as well as a main tos'l.

-Thad

[Roger Long]

Originally posted by Thad Van Gilder:
well, you know, some of us have a jib tos'l, as well as a main tos'l.

-ThadWell, what do you use on your jib topsail?

I can't belive I'm not getting a quick and real answer out of this group of traditionalists.

[Don Kurylko]

Okay, okay, I’ll give it a shot. Double the sheet and seize a small loop into the middle of it. Then seize another separate length of the same size line about 9” long to the sheet as near to the eye (loop) as possible. To attach the sheet to the sail, pass the loop through the clew cringle and then pass the separate short line through the loop where it is sticking out through the cringle. (Kind of a loop and toggle thing, but without the wooden toggle.) The whole fit should be tight enough to keep the loop from pulling back out. It works well, if arranged properly, and should minimize hang ups on the forestay. I’ll bet someone out there can post some pictures of it.

Incidentally, on traditional boats, before the advent of sheet winches, it was usual to have lizards or blocks seized to the clews for a 2 to 1 purchase on the sheets. Hence, no real traditional method for attaching single sheets, except with bowlines, the above method or with shackles.

[John B]

I have never found bowlines to be an issue.

[Dave R]

Seems to me from my reading that bowlines were traditional with one being tied left handed and the other right.

This is not traditional but it works on my boat. The sheet is doubled and has a butterfly loop tied in it. There's a little strop with an eye seiezed in one end and a button in the other to act as a toggle. Never had it come loose or snag on anything.

http://hamiltonwoodworks.com/drichards/Misc/sail/tm12.JPG

[Canoeyawl]

From the Drascombe Lugger handbook...
http://www.gunkholing.org/images/jibsheetknot.jpg

[Roger Long]

Excellent.

But, if you've already accidentally bought your sheets in two parts:

This has got to be the way to do it for roller jibs or other headsails you don't need to detach for quick sheet changes. With the trick I've
been trying to dredge out of my memory, it is very clean.
Jib Sheet Attachement (http://home.maine.rr.com/rlma/Strider0603.htm#sheet)

My security blocks the URL. If yours does, cut and paste this:

http://home.maine.rr.com/rlma/Strider0603.htm#sheet

The clump of rope (which will be smaller with the actual sheets) could still give you a good rap on the noggin but it actually pads the hardware in the corner of the sail. Knots right at the clew should also be less painful than bowline knots which can pick up some extra flick speed due to the slack.

[ 03-15-2006, 08:15 AM: Message edited by: Roger Long ]

[Thad Van Gilder]

I use bowlines.

one time, when I was drunk and bored, I spliced an eye in the center of a three strand jib sheet. I then remade the lay of the sheet for the rest of its length. I think I did three tucks.

It looked good, and set well, but it took for ever!!!!

This was for a 19 or 20 foot daysailor. I think a serious jib sheet would take a realy, realy long time to do!!!

-Thad