Hello, i do alot of distance sailing on lake superior solo with an H16 and the weather can change quit quickly. I find myself strugling with the boat alot when the winds pick up beyond 20 kts. I usually just take the jib down, but sometimes this can be real hairy when the the swells are 4 ft. and the wind is blowing hard. Several times i've been knocked overboard by the jib snapping at me and lake superior isn't warm. I also have to sail through a canal to get out to the lake and there are times when i have to tak back and fourth through the canal to get out. If the jib hangs up, it can get kind of chaotic, especially with other boat traffic. Roller furling seems to be the way to go in this case, but i'm not sure what the performance difference will be? has anyone had experience with the furling system on an H16? Is it significantly slower than a jib with battens? Do i have to change the forestay length any to install one? I see they have a below bridal and a "normal" one for H16s, is one better than the other? I know, so many questions:) Any help would be sweet! Thanks

Reid Rechel
H16, lake superior

Hello,
When I had my H16, I installed a furling jib on it. Since we were strictly recreational sailors and launch from a boat ramp, it seemed like a necessary option to us. We loved it and when we bought our P18 last year, I converted it to RF also. I'm sure there is a performance hit, but I really didn't notice it, maybe because I have limited sailing experience. I used the kit from Murray's that includes the upper forestay pigtail. Idealy, you can eliminate the forestay completely, especially if you trailer the boat. Just raise the mast with the jib attached. Here's a photo of the difference in size from a standard H16 jib and a furling jib (SuperSailmaker's brand)

Good luck,
Jack

Would it be possible to have an rf jib with the same dimensions as a battened jib?

Reid
H16 Lake Superior

Since the jib doesn't have battens, it has to be cut with a curve on the leach, otherwise it would flutter all the time. My Prindle 18 jib is cut a little closer to straight and has a couple 9" battens installed at an angle.
Jack

I've got a H16 jib on my pseudo 17 sport. I took the battens out when I installed my furler, and well, it kills the slot effect because the leech buffets when the sail is powered. I lose a lot of power because of that. I'm going to either buy a TheMightyHobie18 jib or cut mine down. Since I'm a poor college student, I'm thinking about trimming the leech. Any suggestions for an aspiring sailmaker?

I hear ya on the poor college student thing. I have a pretty good canvas place near me that made me a neoprene tramp thats really sweet. Would someone like that be able to trim down my jib for furling? Do you just cut the wire end off the leech part of the jib and then slide the forestay through it? I guess i don't know how the jib attaches to the forestay wire and roles up.

Reid Rechel
H16 Lake Superior

i have rf on my 16. it works great. i use my regular jib for racing, i think its a little faster downwind especially. i quit racing with the rf partly because some of the guys thought i was cheating by using it-! also i needed a little extra speed to try and catch al- hes fast! anyway difference is not great and its a lot more convenient, i'd go for it.

Hello,
If you current jib is in good condition, I would consider storing it and finding a used one somewhere to cut down. That way, if you ever sell the boat, you'll have the original sail set to go with it. Keep an eye out and maybe you can locate an orphan jib at a good price.
Good luck,
Jack