Installation:
Follow the installation guide.
Be sure to measure from the ends of the track to the center of the bow.
Remeasure often as you go through the process.
This is where you order the adhesive you want.
https://fixtech.us/product/fix15-multipurpose-adhesive-sealant-300ml/
How much weight does the self tacking kit add? Also the jib looks slightly different. Any feedback on performance vs. the Blue North Jib?
Based on this article in Weta News the ST Jib is 10% smaller. It is a different cut because the lead is in a different position. I have not noticed any real performance difference other than it's really easy to tack and gybe, but I haven't raced with it yet. Reportedly most of the Ausies are racing with the ST.
I've asked Roger about the weight of the kit.
From Roger Kitchen:
"If you allow for the lighter sail and cut down on the jib sheet length allowing for the glue and 2 small blocks you are really only adding 1kg (2.2 lbs) max.
More important is what you had for lunch.
With the smaller area and it does not seem slower but the meters gained through tacks and gybes it seems a no brainer."
Thanks Alan!
New post on the Weta Marine website. A review of the ST.
https://www.wetamarine.com/news-and-events/review-multihull-expert-peter-hackett-reviews-the-weta-self-tacking-jib/?fbclid=IwAR0HYRWGK_clSuRn7EJc52Cors-SOfqEnrOpf_OTMW9ekpfaXDfxd6v3e9Y
Almost sounds like Peter Hackett is not restricting the jib car at all. I'll try that this weekend and report back.
I was reviewing this thread and realized I had not reported back! Partly because most of my sailing this fall was in light shifty lake conditions. Further research is required, but in general I think that letting the jib traveler car go all the way out is not efficient for upwind sailing. Maybe in high winds... I've been experimenting with a way to adjust the car for off wind vs. upwind and fine tuning the position. I led the car limiter line to one of the downhaul cleats. Easing on the off wind leg makes leeward mark roundings "busy" when furling the gennaker, trimming sails, and readjusting the jib car. Still experimenting.
I made my jib traveler car adjustable underway by running the lashing for the sheet block through a Ronstan Shock (small size). I lead the included line through the Shock, then through the top of the eye strap that's added to the front of the mast, down to two very small Harken bullseyes to each side of the mast, then out to added Ronstan clam cleats installed next to the standard cunningham cleats. I tie the tail of the adjustment lines to one hiking strap on each tramp where I can reach it underway. I also led the jib sheet to a micro block on the foredeck, then led the 2:1 sheet (red line in picture) back through the gaps under the self-tacker track to two more mini-bullseyes (not yet installed in picture) then led them to the normal pivoting jib cleats. I cross-sheet the jib sheet tales because the cleating angle is better, then tie them off to the hiking strap so they're always in reach.
The attached picture is the best I have for now. You can see the additional cleat and the bullseye next to the mast. In this picture, I'd not added the bullseye leads for the jib sheet adjustment yet. Everything runs smoothly even in a light breeze and as a "fiddler" I enjoy playing with the extra adjustments. It really ruins the sailing experience for me to have a poorly trimmed sail!
Also, note in the picture that I added a Harken 29mm T2 turning block to the front tramp straps for the gennaker sheet. I find it keeps the gennaker sheet from getting tangled in the mainsheet and I prefer a forward sheeting angle.
I was disappointed that the class voted to not allow the car adjustment for 2021. Even a clam cleat on the mast would make the adjustment possible, if not easy from a hiked position. In conditions like we have on the Chesapeake Bay where wind strength can be highly variable, being able to adjust the jib lead angle is helpful. Since there are no other Weta's in my area, I can use it racing PHRF or tagging onto the back of the Laser or Flying Scott fleets at my club, but will not use the adjustment during races if I make it to any class events.