I currently own a J/30 and have sailed it successfully in races for
> the
past
> 4 years. One thing I would like to do is uitilize my jib more
> effectively on a reach. I would like to place some padeyes further
> outboard to accomodate better angle of the jib lead when I aam on a
> tight reach, this may also allow me to leave the smaller headsails up
> (#3) on a tight reach when I am also flying the spinnaker thus acting
> as a sort of staysail. I also thought I might could simply snatch
> block it to the stanchion. If anyone has experience with this please
> let me know.

We use a pair of snatch blocks on the stanchions. It certainly improves the performance on a close reach.

If it’s windy enough to use the #3, you can generally leave it up with the chute flying as long as you don’t have to jibe. As with a regular staysail, don’t overtrim. You can barberhaul to a snatch block at a forward stanchion base or just rig a sheet to same as an outside lead adjusting the clew with both inboard and outboard sheets.

[This message has been edited by Bob Rutsch (edited 04-23-2003).]