Description
Blade jibs are the preferred headsail for most modern yachts, especially those with swept-back spreaders and fractional rigs. Designed with a narrow entry angle and optimised with flat, efficient shapes for efficient upwind performance. Blade jibs are sheeted to tracks positioned inboard of the shrouds (unlike genoas and Yankees) allowing for a tighter sheeting angles and better pointing ability.
Though commonly called “non-overlapping,” blade jibs can still have slight overlap with the mast or mainsail, depending on the yacht’s rig geometry and spreader angle. Their size is constrained by the sheeting position and the spreaders themselves.
Smaller in area and with closer track spacing, blade jibs enable quicker, easier tacking and ultimately better upwind VMG (velocity made good)
