Where to connect tack of jib, and plastic shroud covers

[Cevin c Taylor]

A couple of issues have come up as I settle into my boat:

1.  I'm not quite sure if I've been attaching the tack of my jib in the correct place on my '83 CP16.  There appears to be no place specifically designed for attaching it, so I have just been hooking it onto the turnbuckle of the forestay.  However, is this correct?  Is it supposed to be attached higher up somehow?  Does it make any difference? 

2. The plastic shroud covers are very worn, and I believe on one side they have completely vanished.  What purpose do they serve?  I imagine it's to protect the jib as it rubs against them.  How far up should they go?  Also, should the turnbuckles on the shrouds be covered?  I'm planning a trip to West Marine this Sat to get a few parts, and I want to plan this out.

Thanks

[Spartan]

Wolverine,

on my '80 CP16 I have two tangs at the bow, one for the forestay turnbuckle and one for the Jib Tack.  In order to make it easier to attach I put a quicklink to the tang and then use a shackle or snap connected to the jib tack.

I  just replaced my should covers, I think it was less than $6 to do both with covers from West Marine. 

Hope this helps

[Pacman]

I believe the two tangs at the bow are to be used for the forestay.

The base of the turnbuckle can slip between them with the pin going through in double-shear so there is no bending stress when the forestay is under load.

When my boat was stock, I attached the tack to the turnbuckle base with a small shackle.

I later modified the boat by adding a Wichard brand U bolt to the bow that now permenantly holds a snap-shackle for the jib tack and a small block for the jib downhaul.

The forestay is still attached using both tangs with the pin in double-shear.

The plastic shroud covers are there to protect jib sheats from chafing on the turnbuckles and to look nice and finished.

My shroud covers are simply PVC tubes.  Cheap and effective.

[Cevin c Taylor]

Thanks guys.  I hope to have some time to work on the boat this weekend.

[Spartan]

Here's the diagram from my CP16 manual
Forestay on the forward tang, Jib on the aft tang:



Cheers

[Pacman]

Spartan, you are right.

The diagram clearly shows that the factory intended to use the tangs separately, one for the jib tack and one for the forestay.

However, because I have installed a U-bolt that now holds a snap shackle for the jib tack, I'll stay with the double-shear approach that uses both tangs for the forestay. 

I stand corrected. 

[Spartan]

Honestly, I wasn't sure myself, that's why I pulled out the manual.  Wanted to be sure for safety sake I was rigged up correctly.  I can see where the double tang method might spread out the tang load while the load on the through bolt would be the same.
There was no intent on proving right or wrong or correcting anyone.  No offense intended.

Cheers

[Pacman]

Spartan, 

No offense taken. 

I really do appreciate that you found and posted the diagram for us.

This kind of information sharing helps us all and is one of the things makes this such a great community.

I have learned a lot about Com Pacs from members here and value the mutual support among our group.

Funny thing is that I have had a number of boats, all but a few larger and more complex than my C-16, but I have become a believer in the saying "little boat, big smile".

Fair winds,

Dave

[Spartan]

Pacman,

Question on your PVC shroud covers, what size PVC covers did you use (diameter and length).  I have noticed my jib sheets are getting hung up on the turnbuckles and are also chaffing aginst them.  The clew when sheeted tight is about mid turnbuckle.  I am picturing that they come down over the turnbuckles?

Thanks

[Pacman]

Spartan,

My PVC shroud covers do cover the turnbuckles. 

My covers are a larger diameter than would be necessary on a stock rig (maybe 1.25"?) because I have used some stainless connecter links to lengthen my shrouds by 1.5" to fit my rotating mast set-up and the connecter links are wider than the turnbuckles.  The shroud covers are 12" long.

However, the shroud covers on my C-16 are just a temporary solution that was done to allow me to test my rotating mast set-up.

Now that I have found the rotating mast set-up to be a success, I will make up a new set of shrouds so I won't need the fat connecter links and that will enable me to make new shroud rollers from smaller diameter PVC that will turn on thrust washers set upon the chainplates.

The freely-rotating shroud covers are not my original idea.  I read about it in a North Sails Tuning Manual for my old Catalina 22 when I was racing it. 

The freely-rotating shroud covers were a a nice improvement because the jib sheets never dragged on the shrouds, even in light air.

[JTMeissner]

Spartan, the right size depends upon your turnbuckles.  I have tubular turnbuckles, so I think I used the smallest set from West Marine (and cheapest), but I might have purchased the next size up which should also cover most open turnbuckles.  This will show some sizes available:http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=11033

Of course, for what they are, a quick trip to a hardware store for PVC tubing would likely save you money.  The specific cap would be the missing piece, but could be fabricated easily enough.  My genoa sheets have a tendency to ride on top of the caps, but can't get fouled in the parts of the turnbuckle jaws.

If you are concerned about rubbing on the cables themselves, then WM has shroud covers (snap-on cable covers for various wire sizes) in 6' lengths: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=11014

-Justin

[Spartan]

Thanks Justin -

I do have the shroud covers from WM I think it cost me around $5 for both, but turns out the turnbuckles are more the issue.  I did scope out those and Jamestown distributers has them online as well.  Next time I'm at the boat I'll need to measure the Turnbuckles for sizing.

Thanks again