Jib Halyard

A jib halyard is the line or wire that hoists the jib up the forestay and sets the tension of its luff. Hauling it tightens the luff to flatten the sail and move draft forward for upwind work; easing it adds fullness for reaching. On larger rigs it leads through a masthead or hounds sheave to a winch; on hank-on jibs it shackles to the headboard, while on a roller-furling jib it sets the swivel at the top of the foil. Correct halyard tension governs headstay sag and pointing ability.