Weta Marine announce self tacking jib kit for retrofit or new boats
by Weta Marine 10 Oct 2019 10:43 NZDT
10 October 2019
Weta Jib Track - Auckland On the Water Boat Show - Final day - October 6, 2019 © Richard Gladwell
Weta Marine had the new self tacking jib kit on display at the Auckland On the Water Boat Show, in early October.
Designed for those who sail single-handed or with less than expert crew, the new option is expected to appeal to most owners, leaving the crew free to handle the mainsheet and gennaker.
On display was a prototype of the jib tacker, which Weta Marine say will be easy to install as a retrofit and should make life easier during tacks, gybes and mark roundings.
"As many of our mature Weta owners are now in their 10th year of Weta sailing we felt it was time to celebrate by offering a self tacking jib option," says class founder and manufacturer Roger Kitchen.
"With reduced agility mastering single-handed sailing with main, jib and gennaker is a challenge even for young sailors - so the self tacker evens up the playing field," he adds.
The self tacker comes mounted on a fibreglass moulding which is just glued onto the deck with construction adhesive. The gennaker retrieval line and single jib sheet lead back under the moulding. The new self tacking jib has been designed by dinghy maestro Derek Scott, from North Sails in Auckland, to maximize performance.
"Our mature sailors will now find Weta even more pleasurable to sail with their new tacking assistant," says Kitchen.
The production self tacker moulding will be glued flush on the deck, reducing windage, snag points, and looks to be an integral part of the popular multihull.
Weta Marine expect the new self tacker to be available in time for Xmas.