Hi there,
while spending my night on the web, I passed by this idea
for a self tacking jib (for a sailboat) by a guy named dogsbone.
YOu think that (with some modifications) would work on a cat as well ?
Here it is:
Go to a hardware store (any hardware store) and purchase a shovel, hoe or rake handle. (Even better... borrow your neighbor's rake) Cut it to just a bit longer than the foot of the jib. Also pick up a 1/4" eyebolt (either lag or threaded)... drill a (slightly smaller than 1/4" hole in the business end of the handle and cut a very small section at the joint of the eye so that you can insert it in the inboard hole of your stem-head fitting.
Once you've installed it... it has transformed itself from a rake handle to a "club foot" boom for the jib. Tie the clew of the jib to the end of you new boom and lash on a single block to be located right above your bow cleat. Attach (even with a piece of line) a single block with a becket to the bow cleat. Run an adequate length of 1/4 - 5/16" line from the becket on the cleat block... up through the block on you new club foot..back through the single block on the cleat... and up on the deck where you normally cleat your jib. (See similar rig from Wichard:
http://www.wichard-usa.com/Boat%20pages/Cape%20Dory%2028%20page.pdfthat was rigged on a Cape Dory 28 at the bottom of the page)
Michael
