Jib sheet

[Melbourne55]

I am not sure whether the location of the Jib cleats are correct on the Spindrift. They are on the top of the cabis area close to the centerline. Is ther a way to figure the ideal location?

[GreenLake]

No matter where your jib sheets are cleated (inboard or outboard), you could use barber haulers to adjust the direction from which the jib sheet pulls on the jib.

The ideal location would normally be different for upwind vs. downwind, so the adjustability with barber haulers should be an additional benefit.

Another issue is whether your cleats are in the correct location in the fore aft direction. The usual way to make that adjustable is to provide short tracks for the jib blocks. Some sailmakers recommend a forward position for their jibs, so that there isn't a lot of adjusment range anyway.

My obervation with an old and a new jib have been that sideways adjustment brought more noticeable results (at least, noticeable to me).

There are a number of sail trimming guides, also online. You could read up on trimming jibs. One thing that you can do while sailing upwind is to hold the jibsheet in your hand and move it about, observing the changes in the sail. The top and bottom part of the luff should break at the same time as you let out the sheet. And you want to be able to adjust your jib so you can get the best angle and speed upwind.

Once you know the location for your sail, you can move the cleat, or move its apparent location with a Barber hauler (which is a line that pulls sideways on the sheet).

[Kleanbore]

One way to set the center of the fore and aft position of the jib car is to tape a line to the center of the jib luff, extend it through the jib clew and straight down to the location you are mounting the jib track. The line should hit the center of the track, giving you equal room to move the car fore and aft.

[Roger]

and 18 degrees off the centerline.