Get Your Jib Leads Inboard

The current cuts of jibs perform best and provide the best pointing ability when they can be sheeted with leads much further inboard than allowed with the original Jet 14 design where jib tracks were bolted directly to the top of the side decks.

New Jet 14s are built with a jib lead system that places the leads at the proper position using either a separate platform for the jib block or a series of floating blocks designed to accomplish the same effect.

There are many ways to bring the jib leads inboard on an older boat. One of the easiest ways is to build a platform or shelf in either of the 2 methods outlined below. Diagrams follow on the next page.

1) Build a shelf on the inside edge of the side tanks and re-mount tracks on this shelf, just below the deck-level.

2) Mount your tracks vertically on the inside of your side tanks just below the deck level. Fabricate a small shelf at whatever size is required to get your leads to the desired spot and mount your block/eyes directly to this shelf.

Typical sheeting tracks/cars is Holt Allen #427476 or equivalent. You must be able to separate the lead/cleat from the car to build option #2 above.

Some people have been successful placing the blocks on the thwart of older boats. This depends on what the thwart position is for your boat. Some prefer having the blocks/cleats on the leeward side and others prefer having only a turning block and place cleats on the windward tank. This is all a personal preference discussion, as there is no “right” way.

Talk to your sail maker about the best location of these blocks as different cuts of sails require different sheeting angles. A general rule is to get the leads between 27”-33” apart (13.5”-16.5” off of the centerline), with 30” separation being common.

If you are in a total boat re-build project (new side decks/tanks), you can bring the leads inboard by making the side decks the 14” maximum width allowed at the fore deck. This gives you less distance to span with the shelf and also will give more flotation and a dryer boat after capsizes. (See article on Tanking a Jet 14 and the class plans/specifications)