Storm jib

Set on a stay — often a removable inner forestay — using a permanently attached method of attachment that is independent of any luff groove: in practice a sewn-on lacing line or soft hanks. The OSR requires this because a luff tape in a furling foil alone is not acceptable in storm conditions. Dedicated sheeting positions on deck are required for every storm and heavy-weather sail.

Under OSR 4.27 the area may not exceed 5% × IG² (the height of the foretriangle, squared) and the luff may not exceed 65% of IG. No battens; aramid and carbon fibers are prohibited in storm sails, while HMPE (Spectra/Dyneema) is permitted. For any storm sail purchased after 2013 the body cloth shall be a highly visible color — dayglo pink, orange, or yellow are the rule's own examples — so a boat in survival conditions is easier to spot.

Designed to provide propulsion and steerage on all points of sail in Beaufort force 8 — around 34–40 knots — and above. Set it before the foredeck becomes dangerous, and practice the hoist in calm weather first. Under a November 2025 rule change (OSR 4.27.1(e)), a storm jib may not be set together with any other sail forward of the mast: it is a propulsion sail, not an extra staysail. Pair it with the trysail or a deeply reefed main.