Hardware & Reinforcement
Headsail Hardware & Reinforcement
Section titled “Headsail Hardware & Reinforcement”Hardware components and reinforcement specifications for headsail construction.
Tack Finishing Types
Section titled “Tack Finishing Types”Jib Tack Finishing Options
Section titled “Jib Tack Finishing Options”Hardware installed at the tack (luff-foot intersection) for attachment to forestay or furler drum.
| Name | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Tack with STD Webbing Loop | Standard webbing loop (25-50mm width) | General cruising, easy attachment |
| Tack with Narrow Webbing Loop | Narrow webbing loop (max 15-25mm width) | Small boats, tight spaces |
| Tack with O-Ring | Stainless steel O-ring pressed with webbing | Standard cruising, traditional |
| Fixed Tack Shackle | Shackle permanently attached to sail | Quick attachment/removal |
| Hanging Free Tack Shackle | Shackle captured on webbing loop (free movement) | Racing, flexible attachment |
| Tack with Soft Shackle | Dyneema soft shackle attachment point | Racing, adjustable, lightweight |
| Fixed Wichard Tack Hook | Wichard hook permanently lashed/sewn | Traditional cruising, quick release |
| Hanging Free Wichard Tack Hook | Wichard hook on webbing loop | Offshore, redundant attachment |
Tack Shackle Brand Specifications
Section titled “Tack Shackle Brand Specifications”For JTFTSK and JTHFTSK tack finishing types (shackle-based)
Wichard Snap Shackles
Section titled “Wichard Snap Shackles”| Model | Length | Rope Size | Working Load | Breaking Load | Boat Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2470 | 35mm | - | 160 kg | 400 kg | Small dinghies |
| 2471 | 50mm | - | 960 kg | 2000 kg | 20-30ft |
| 2472 | 70mm | 8-10mm | 1280 kg | 3000 kg | 30-40ft |
| 2473 | 70mm (std bail) | - | 960 kg | 2000 kg | 30-40ft |
| 2475 | 90mm (std bail) | 10-14mm | 1280 kg | 3700 kg | 40-50ft |
| 2477 | 120mm (std bail) | 16-20mm | 2800 kg | 7000 kg | 50ft+ |
Features:
- HR 17.4 PH stainless steel
- Captive plunger pin
- Swivel eye for better sail orientation
- Standard, large bail, and fixed eye options
Tylaska Snap Shackles
Section titled “Tylaska Snap Shackles”| Model | Boat Size | Breaking Strength | Weight (std bail) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T5 | Small boats | 5,000 lbs (2,270 kg) | - | Dinghies, small keelboats |
| T8 | 24-36ft | 8,000 lbs (3,630 kg) | 3.5 oz (99g) | Small to mid cruising |
| T12 | 30-45ft | 12,000 lbs (5,450 kg) | 5.9 oz (167g) | Mid-size cruising/racing |
| T20 | 40-70ft | 20,000 lbs (9,070 kg) | 11.9 oz (337g) | Large yachts |
| T30 | 50ft+ | 30,000 lbs (13,600 kg) | - | Superyachts |
Features:
- Aerospace-grade 17-4PH stainless steel
- Patented release surface (opens under load)
- High strength-to-weight ratio
- Standard, large, and clevis bail types
Ronstan Snap Shackles
Section titled “Ronstan Snap Shackles”| Model | Length | Working Load | Breaking Load | Weight | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RF627 | 32mm | 75 kg | 150 kg | 10g | Small boats |
| RF628 | 69mm | 850 kg | 1700 kg | 50g | 25-35ft |
| RF629 | 73mm (large bail) | - | - | 68g | 30-40ft |
Features:
- Heat-treated 15-5PH stainless steel
- Triggersnap quick-release mechanism
- Can be released under load with spike
- Large and small swivel bail options
Corner Hardware
Section titled “Corner Hardware”Refer to Corner Fittings & Rings for detailed specifications on:
- Pressed Rings (Grommets)
- Stainless Steel O-Rings & D-Rings
- Low Friction Rings
Reinforcement Specifications
Section titled “Reinforcement Specifications”Spreader Patches
Section titled “Spreader Patches”Round protective patches at spreader contact points to prevent chafe.
| Shape | Material | Construction | Typical Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Taffeta + Dacron | Laminated or sewn overlay | 150-300mm diameter |
Material Details:
- Taffeta: Woven polyester, tight weave for abrasion resistance
- Dacron: Polyester sailcloth backing for structural support
- Layers: 2-3 layers depending on expected chafe intensity
Placement: Positioned at spreader tip contact zone
Load Path Reinforcement
Section titled “Load Path Reinforcement”| Feature | Material |
|---|---|
| Clew to head | Webbing tape or fiber reinforcement |
| Tack to clew | Webbing tape |
| High-load seams | Double-stitched with V92 or V138 thread |
Thread and Tape
Section titled “Thread and Tape”Refer to Sewing Threads & Tapes for detailed specifications on:
- Polyester Thread (Standard)
- PTFE (UV) Thread
- Reinforcement Tapes
Sheet Systems
Section titled “Sheet Systems”Sheet Block Hardware
Section titled “Sheet Block Hardware”| Brand | Model | Load Capacity | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harken | 57mm Carbo Block | 1500 kg | Small-mid headsails (25-40ft) |
| Harken | 75mm Carbo Block | 2700 kg | Large headsails (40-55ft) |
| Ronstan | Series 55 Block | 2000 kg | Mid-size boats (35-50ft) |
| Antal | V-Block | 1800 kg | Performance cruising |
Car Track Systems
Section titled “Car Track Systems”| Type | Description | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Genoa Track | Athwartship or fore-aft track | Adjustable sheet lead |
| Jib Track | Shorter track for non-overlapping jibs | Working jib, self-tacking |
| Ball-bearing cars | Low-friction roller cars | Racing, large boats |
Turning Blocks & Fairleads
Section titled “Turning Blocks & Fairleads”| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Turning blocks | Fixed or swivel, 1500-3000 kg capacity |
| Fairleads | Open or closed, deck or toe-rail mount |
| Snatch blocks | Quick-release for spinnaker sheets |
Telltales and Windows
Section titled “Telltales and Windows”Telltale Specifications
Section titled “Telltale Specifications”Material: Standard nylon ribbon
Placement:
- Luff telltales: 3-4 pairs at 25%, 50%, 75% of luff
- Leech telltales: Optional at batten pockets
- Standard configuration (no customization)
Purpose: Airflow visualization for trim optimization
Window Specifications
Section titled “Window Specifications”Material: PET film + grid fiber reinforcement
Availability:
- Default: None (windows not included unless specified)
- Optional: Can be specified by customer
Standard Sizes:
- Small: 300x400mm
- Medium: 400x600mm
- Large: 600x800mm
Construction:
- UV-stabilized PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film
- Grid fiber reinforcement for tear resistance
- Sewn or bonded into sail panel
Draft Stripes
Section titled “Draft Stripes”For draft stripe specifications (sizes, colors, placement, construction methods), see Special Features — Draft Stripes.
Leech Line System
Section titled “Leech Line System”Leech Line Specifications
Section titled “Leech Line Specifications”Leech tension control for preventing flutter and curl.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Line diameter | 2-3mm |
| Material | Pre-stretched polyester |
| Exit point | ~200mm from clew |
| Adjustment | External or internal |
Leech Line Cleat Options
Section titled “Leech Line Cleat Options”| Type | Description | Installation | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overhead Exit | Line exits above clew, cleats internally | Through leech tape | Clean appearance, less snag |
| Velcro Cleat | Hook-and-loop fastener cleat | Adhesive or sewn | Quick adjustment, racing |
| CL 241 | Clamcleat micro-cleat (model CL241) | Sewn into clew patch | Traditional, secure |
UV Protection Integration
Section titled “UV Protection Integration”Note: For complete UV protection specifications, see 05_UV_Protection.md.
Hardware Considerations with UV
Section titled “Hardware Considerations with UV”| Feature | UV Impact |
|---|---|
| Clew hardware | Must be accessible through UV strip |
| Leech line exit | UV strip must accommodate exit point |
| Thread | PTFE recommended for UV-exposed seams |
Hardware Installation
Section titled “Hardware Installation”Tack Hardware Positioning
Section titled “Tack Hardware Positioning”| Sail Type | Tack Height | Attachment Method |
|---|---|---|
| Hank-on | At tack cringle | Hank or shackle to forestay |
| Furling | At furler drum | Per drum specification (tack swivel) |
| Inner forestay | At inner forestay tack | Shackle or toggle |
Sheet Lead Hardware
Section titled “Sheet Lead Hardware”| Component | Positioning |
|---|---|
| Sheet blocks | Per sheeting angle calculation (10-15°) |
| Fairleads | Aligned with sheet path |
| Turning blocks | At deck corners for proper sheet routing |
Specialized Headsail Hardware
Section titled “Specialized Headsail Hardware”Self-Tacking Jib Hardware
Section titled “Self-Tacking Jib Hardware”| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Athwartship track | Centered on foredeck |
| Car system | Heavy-duty ball-bearing car |
| Clew attachment | Spectacle or double ring |
Storm Jib Hardware
Section titled “Storm Jib Hardware”| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Tack | Heavy-duty shackle (Wichard 90mm+) |
| Clew | Reinforced cringle (#6 ring minimum) |
| Hanks | Heavy-duty bronze hanks, 300-400mm spacing |
Maintenance Guidelines
Section titled “Maintenance Guidelines”| Component | Interval | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Tack hardware | Seasonal | Inspect for cracks, corrosion, wear |
| Sheet blocks | Seasonal | Lubricate, check bearings |
| Car tracks | Annual | Clean, lubricate, check fasteners |
| Reinforcement patches | Annual | Check for delamination, chafe |