How do You Like the Cut of that...

so.
I had every intention of writing a witty, informative post about the Jib - the front sail on a sailboat, used to assist the mainsail in its wind using duties - followed by an even wittier and informative explanation of an Accidental Jibe - when, while sailing downwind with the sails full out, the wind (or the boat) changes direction causing the crew to lose control of the sails resulting in the boom - the big wooden beam attached to the mainsail - slamming full speed across the cockpit potentially knocking one or all crew into the water.
See also, 'About' in the A post for a slightly less violent and controlled version of this going upwind.

anyway.
Derailed by a deceptive cup of 'sleepy' tea, NOT the kind with the snuggly bear on the box, and an early wake up call for a training session on the new charting system at work, I have exactly three super confusing paragraphs written.
I did not enjoy rereading them and I am SURE you won't.

Which brings me back to J - and Jib.
This is a Jib:

Well, it is also the Mainsail.
Deconstructed.
After weighing the pros and cons of aluminum vs wooden mast for our wooden sloop, Blue Skies, we decided it was much cooler and cheaper, for Rob to make the mast himself.
Consequently, with less weighing of options, it was decided that I would sew the sails.
This kit is from Sailrite. The pieces are all precut and the instructions both written and video, were spot on. I highly recommend their product.

This is the Jib, completed with me delirious that it is finished.
I had blocked the Mainsail construction from my mind at this point.

Here is the Jib attached to Blue Skies.
The neighbors were cautiously curious as to why we were setting up a sailboat in our driveway.
To their credit, they still invite us to the yearly block party.

This is my favorite view of the Jib, lounging on the bow in the shade of the sail.
This was our rental boat from Key Lime Sailing Club in Key Largo.
Come back on Thursday for the letter K and more info on this awesome place.

And here is a video of an Accidental Jibe.
I don't have one from our boat, which isn't to say that we haven't had it happen. Only that I was too busy ducking to get a video...

I feel this says it all.

And, in case you didn't get the title reference...
'I like the cut of your jib.' dates back to early sailing days, when the jib was actually shaped in a manner to distinguish the ship's country of origin. To like the jib meant you were aligned politically to that country. Naturally, this evolved into a compliment on how one is physically shaped...

For more A to Z Challenge entries click a-to-zchallenge .

A-Ahoy

B-Bells

C-Catamarn

D-Dramamine

E-Escape

F-Flags

G-Galley

H-Head and Heel

I-IC24