GP14 Sailing Forums Forum Jib halyard tensioning

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    • #5034
      Anonymous
      Inactive

      Hi all,

      Sorry if this is a topic already covered else where but if it is I conuldn’t find it.

      My friend has just moved from a Mirror to an old wooden GP14. I have sailed a lot but never in a GP and helped him take it out for a first sail the other day.

      I am not convinced the jib tensioner is setup correctly (see photo). It is made up of a wire and a couple of pulleys, one end has a hook to attach to the loop in the halyard wire, the tensioner wire then goes down, round a pulley, back up to a second pulley and finally down to a shackle that fastens it to the mast.

      This feels wrong as there is no way to adjust the tension (which is way to slack) and getting the end of the halyard onto the hook takes a lot of brute force.

      Can anybody offer any advice or e-mail me a photo of how it should be set up?

      Regards

      Dave

       

       

    • #5036
      norman
      Participant

      Hi

      I can’t see the pic. all I get is “small bitmap”.  Could you please check and clarify if possible.

    • #5037
      Oliver Shaw
      Moderator

      I also can’t see the photo.

       

      Assuming that the hook is on the upper block,  it seems from your description that the boat probably has a 3:1 purchase,  in traditional nautical terminology known (I think) as a gun tackle rove to advantage;     if you google “gun tackle” I would expect that you should find some diagrams.    Essentially the tensioning line should be attached to a becket on the upper block,  then go down to the lower block,  round that,  back up to the upper block,  then round that,  and then down again.   Then,  crucially,  what from your description appears to be missing,  the line needs to be taken to a cleat,  or (preferably) your choice of jam cleat.

       

      Having said that,  a much simpler method of getting adequate tension,  and fairly inexpensive,  is a Highfield lever.    Just ensure that you use it safely,  by not allowing the lever to fly open unchecked when you release it,  and by keeping fingers well out of the way!

       

      With the older boats it is vitally important that you do not apply modern rig tensions,  unless the mast step conversion has been done;  the boat was not originally designed for modern tensions,  and there is a real risk of serious structural damage.   But a Highfield lever gives an acceptable half way house;  the maximum tension it can produce is safe for the boat (provided she is in sound condition,  but still large enough to be useful.

       

       

       

      Oliver

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