WHo has a self tacking jib?

[aquaplane]

Those Broads boats seem to be well sorted for short tacking, all the power is in the main, but they tend to be gaff rigged too .

If yours is an older (1970's) boat with a skinny main and a big overlapping jib/genoa, I think you are stuck.

Newer boats seem to have a bigger main and smaller jib so going for a self tacker may not be too detrimental.

Are you on hank on sails? You could have both, keep the existing tracks for what you do now. Fit the self tacking gear for when you are short tacking up a narrow fairway.

I don't know about winching in 4 foot of sheet, we tend to be able to get most of it in by brute force and then winch the last foot.

[aquaplane]

Luff up, a lot, help her by tailing the winch, ie pull in a good bit, then she only has a foot of sheet to winch.

If it needs more than a foot winched in, sail full and wait for the next tack to see if you can be a bit slicker with the tack and make a bit more head way. It's what I do, but I don't rush.

[So_Sage_of_Lorne]

We have self tacking on the stay sail.

Fantastic for beating with a reefed main in strong winds.
Makes short tacking a breeze!

[sahona]

A bit 'heath robinson' but how's about using the small pole (used in conjunction with the spinney pole when reaching) as a temporary jib-boom with the genny partially reefed (and a spare pull-down sheet) just for the time when you're in a narrow channel.
I know I would have had less bulging eyeballs and forehead veins if I 'd had similar for the decksweeper on the last boat.