How to Hoist the Jib Sail on a Boat

Whether you're out for an afternoon sail on a lake or getting into sailboat racing, knowing how to hoist the jib sail quickly and smoothly is an essential part of sailing know-how. To hoist or unfurl your jib or headsail, follow these few steps.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Identify the jib system. The jib might be rigged on a furling system, in which case the sail wraps around the forestay. In more traditional setups, the jib is clipped to the foresail and pulled up to the mast by a jib halyard. Identify which system is the one on your boat.

2. Unfurl the jib. To unfurl a furling jib, wrap the jib sheet around a winch and then release the furling line from its brake or clamp. Pull the jib sheet around the winch and the jib unfurls smoothly. If you're on the water in strong winds, keep tension on the furling line to prevent the jib from snapping open while you're sailing.

3. Check the jib on a halyard system. If your jib is rigged in a traditional setup, check the clips (or "hanks") of the jib to make sure each is securely connected to the forestay. Also, make sure that each jib sheet is tied to the tack of the sail with a bowline knot.

4. Pull with the jib halyard. Let the jib sheets out and make sure the boat is in the wind if you're out sailing. Take one or two wraps of the jib halyard line around the winch. With fluid, strong pulls, hoist the jib by pulling the halyard line on the winch. As the jib gets higher on the mast use a winch handle to assist you for the last few inches.

5. Check the sail and secure the halyard line. Have a spotter look at the top of the jib to make sure it's all the way up. Once fully hoisted, secure the halyard in its cleat, clamp or brake and get the halyard line coiled or placed out of the way.