A new “twist” on outboard leads

If you are sailing with the headsail, and the apparent wind angle is on a fetch yet not far enough aft for a Code 0 or a spinnaker, you will end up easing off the jib sheet. In doing so, you will see that the top of the jib leech opens and falls off, spilling power and performance.

The traditional “fix” for such a situation is to attach an outboard lead to the clew of the jib with the outboard car positioned in front of the primary jib lead – at approximately a 60° sheeting angle. This outboard lead pulls downward closing the leech to retain power and making the foot of the sail full.

While this two-sheet set-up allows you to move the lateral position of the clew in and out to improve jib leech shape, it also ends up pulling the clew downwards creating excess draft in the lower portion of the sail. This creates additional aerodynamic drag and pushes the bow down. Neither are optimal performance factors. UK Sailmakers Ireland’s Barry Hayes has a different take on the outboard lead. – Full report