A poor copy, as it was lifted from some video footage taken using extreme zoom. Nevertheless, it shows our new Camberspar self tacking jib with it's pronounced 'kink' in the luff produced by the internal wishbone boom/vang.

A few details (and my 9 month old son)

a.. A very simple (and cheap) gooseneck arrangement, using a standard spinnaker pole end fitting. This is very effective, and would work equally well on any loose footed main. The luff tension is taken to a fitting on the mast, so the fitting does not take any loads other than the compressive forces from the sheet loads. This is 20yrs old now and still going strong. I plan to use the same technique to add a bowsprit this year.

b.. The 'business' end of the camberspar can be seen, with its sheet attachment arm, which 'tacks' the camberspar as the sheet loads come on. We use a two part sheet, with both ends live and led to each cockpit, allowing adjustment from either side. Incidentally, the mainsheet is rigged similarly, which works very well, as you are never caught on the 'wrong' side of the boat to ease or adjust the sails.

c.. The mast rotation control, which automatically rotates the mast more when the sheets are eased.

A general 'life is good' shot, showing the suitability of big open decked cats for cruising with kids, and to extoll the virtues of a well made forward tramp!