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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

what's the purpose of a jack line

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/29/2007 : 10:50:18

On another thread about mainsail slugs there was a mention of a jack line.
So tell me all about it please.
So much to learn even after 5 years of sailing. Aint it great?

Frank Gloss
Formerly 89WK/TR
85 Ericson 32-3 shoal draft "Molto Bene"

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2007 : 10:52:37

The slugs are on the line instead of the luff. It allows the luff of the sail to Fall away from the kerf so the hardened reef does not sit on piled up cloth.

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2007 : 11:15:43

Franks,

On Calista the jack lines are 1.5" nylon tapes running from bow to stern on both sides of the boat to which a life vest tether is attached when going forward under extreem conditions.

At least that's what I remember them being in September when Last I was aboard

Val on the hard DAGNABIT,#3936,Patchogue, N.Y.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2007 : 13:40:18

I would guess a "jack line" is probably a line connected at two or more points that things can slide on. On a mainsail it is used as I explained, at least that is what Ullman sails explained to me when I bought my main.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2007 : 13:55:21

A jackline is also a line that you clip your tether to. The other end of the tether clips to your safety harness. This keeps you attached to the boat - or better yet it keeps you from going overboard.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2007 : 13:55:35

Most Jack lines are run along the deck and you schackle your tether to it. In terms of a jack line on a sail? You got me.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2007 : 14:44:02

I believe mainsail jacklines are used mainly when one uses a stop above the mast slot opening to keep the slugs from falling out. The jackline will allow the reef cringle to drop below the sail stop.

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ct95949
Captain

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Aruba
300 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2007 : 16:09:47

Frank-
I have the same Ullman sail that came with the jackline but when I switched to 1/2" slugs I left it off. I don't use a stop in the slot but I see your point about the sail and slugs stacking up when reefing so I might try rigging it again. Problem is I don't remember where it attached.
Do you have a picture of this on your site or could you describe?
Thanks, Craig

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2007 : 17:25:56

this is the best shot I have.

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ct95949
Captain

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Aruba
300 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2007 : 17:50:05

Thanks Frank.
It appears to be just the single bottom slug on the jackline.I think this would also help in flaking the sail on the boom.

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2007 : 18:56:51

I believe the term jackline was somehow hijacked by folks selling jacklines that you clip yourself to. Or it's a relatively new term, because I looked it up in my 1961 International Maritime Dictionary and under jackline it says see Reefing Jackstay. The definition has already been correctly answered, so I won't type it. But there is no mention of a jackline as a means of staying aboard.

Two side points - one, I just sewed my own Jackline that you clip to with parts from SailRitefor about 20 bucks. Two, I found the definition of Jackass in my Maritime Dictionary... Hold on - it's a good one...

"Jackass. 1. A conical canvas stopper stuffed with tarred oakum and fitted where hawseholds lead under the forecastle. Also called hawse bag. It is pulled into the pipe with big end outboard, and hove tight by means of a rope tail. Jackasses are a most effective method of making hawseholes watertight in ships using stocked anchors.
2. Heavy, roughly built boat used in Newfoundland."

sten

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2007 : 19:03:04

My understanding was along the line of Don's--suggesting a jackline on the main is not necessary if one is using mast gate plates to allow the lower few slugs to drop to the boom when reefing. Frank's interpretation suggests that it's useful with the gate plates to allow the reef tack to be pulled all the way down to the boom (as opposed to the distance of several stacked slugs above the boom). Sounds good to me... The line might also help prevent the tension on the reef clew from popping a slug--particularly where a hook isn't used to secure the reef tack.

(Now, how can I make it work on my new boat??)

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2007 : 19:15:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 Frank's interpretation suggests that it's useful with the gate plates to allow the reef tack to be pulled all the way down to the boom (as opposed to the distance of several stacked slugs above the boom).<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Dave,

I'm not so sure the two stacked slugs are going to make a big difference as to how close the reef tack is to the boom. From Frank's photo, it looks like the closest his reef tack will get to the boom is the distance taken up by his reef hook and block.

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At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2007 : 06:33:29

Definitions: http://www.marisafe.com/resources/boatdictionary.asp?vmcid=41&vmpid=16

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2007 : 07:32:45

It isn't the slugs that it helps, it is the luff stack, the cloth is no longer in the way. Don, I do not use the block and hook anymore because I could not get the cringle low enough.

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