JC strap (again...)

Emilio Castelli

Emilio Castelli

Active Member
Yesterday I learned, from the "even more fun" thread that my bungee idea has a name (JC strap) and it has been discussed previously.

I searched the forum and came up with several threads, all from 2007.

http://sailingforums.com/threads/honestly-now-what-changes-do-you-want-to-see.5036/


http://sailingforums.com/threads/why-so-strict.5001/


http://sailingforums.com/threads/boom-preventer.4977/


http://sailingforums.com/threads/jc-strap-inhaul-pics-are-up.5073/


All the links to pictures in these threads no longer work.

I learned “it was Peter Seidenberg who said it best in a Jan/06 interview recommending, among other things, a no-cost simple change that the class should adopt (the "JC strap"):

"Evolution won't stop, though, and improvements will come in small steps. Anything that makes sailing the Laser easier, safer and more fun should be welcomed and embraced by the Class. I have sailed the boat for 33 years now and have seen numerous improvements. I would still like to see more. …... There should be a "JC Strap", like on the Finn, that holds the boom forward in light air down-wind sailing.

I also learned the name JC strap came from John Christians who invented it for the Finn. “It is
dead simple and would fit nicely on Laser and would eliminate the slow death we endure as we contort our bodies to hold the boom out in light wind.” John also mentions that “some consideration was given to it for Laser a while back but it was rejected”.

Anyway. I rigged a JC strap and went sailing. It works perfectly at holding your boom out in light air, keeping the mainsheet from sagging and eliminating the need for the extra mainsheet length currently needed to get the boom past 90 degrees.
No difference in jibing, tacking or any sailing. No difference in speed, just more comfort in light air. I spent $10.- for the bungee. It takes 30sec to rig it. The bungee does not move in the bow eye so there would be no wear. It would save about 6' of mainsheet mess in the cockpit. Allowing this rule change would not force everybody to adopt it but would help many older sailors suffer less.
I am attaching pictures as it appears there is some confusion on what a simple JC strap looks like.
JC1.JPGjc4.JPGjc5.JPG jc3.JPG

I would be curious to learn why it was rejected in the past.
E
 
Did it actually get as far as the Tech Committee would be the question? If no submission was made it has fallen before it even gets to the first hurdle...
 
So you just ran it through the bow eye? I rigged one up on a Europe dinghy once, placing a small block on the bow. However, I don't think the boat had a large bow eye like the laser. A block may decrease the friction slightly, but may not be needed on the Laser.

I think we should add this to the Mushroom Class rules.
 
I guess I'm also curious why the class rejected this in the past. I found a few old threads saying this would cost $100 in NZ but that was for a setup involving blocks and hooks. A simple tied shock cord ought to be a few bucks a foot tops?
 
sorosz said:
I think it is a solution in search of a problem.
Click to expand...
The problem (in very light wind) is:
- at the windward mark, when bearing off, you currently need to push the boom out as there isn't enough wind pressure to do it.
- once the boom is out, heeling the boat to windward and the weight of the mainsheet will tend to pull the boom in
- each time you jibe, you need to push the boom back out
Current solutions:
- you still need to push the boom out at the windward mark and after every jibe.
- once the boom is out hold it out with your hand while running. This is requires a very uncomfortable position during the run; rather unstable and tricky if there is any leftover chop.
- use a longer mainsheet, let the boom go well past 90 degrees so the weight of the boom will actually help keeping it out when the boat is heeled to windward. The main disadvantage of this is that you have 6-10 extra feet of mainsheet in the cockpit, ready to tangle up.
With a jc strap, you get to the winward mark, ease you sheet and the boom will go out, just like it does when it's windy enough. It will then stay out with tension on the mainsheet keeping it higher and not dragging in the water. You can do the entire run in a much more comfortable position.
Most importantly, allowing the use of a jc strap would not require its use. If you don't have any problems downwind in light air, don't use it.
Anyone knows if it was formally submitted and if so, why it was rejected?
E
 
I don't know why its needed in a Laser because the loose mast tube allows the rig to settle into a stable position very quickly when bearing away. On a Finn or Europe, where there is minimal 'slop' in mast tube at deck level, I can see the need (as do others) and it works brilliantly.

With the clew sleave collar available for the Laser (provided u did not bend it on installation), shockcord "in hauls" are also redundant - but many seem to continue to swear by them.

The new "Fixed" traveller to sheet blocks may be roller bearing smoooth but the old G clip ones could give a lower profile by packung the G clips:

Frankly, more time in the boat and some good friends racing are what it should be about
 
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