STORM SAILS
Storm Jib
A small, rugged heavy-weather headsail for when the wind outstrips even your smallest jib — flown high on a pennant to keep driving the boat above the waves.
What Is a Storm Jib?
A storm jib is a specialized headsail for the conditions where standard headsails become overpowering and dangerous — winds too strong even for heavy-weather jibs like a No. 3 or No. 4 genoa. It’s compact and robust, and its job is to keep you in control and maneuvering when the weather turns severe. World Sailing’s Offshore Special Regulations cap its area at 5% of the foretriangle height squared, and require the luff to be shorter than 65% of the foretriangle height. A hollow leech and hollow foot keep the edges from fluttering, and the sail flies from a pennant to lift it above breaking waves. It’s built from strong woven polyester in a high-visibility color — the kind of Storm Orange that stands out against dark skies.
If the storm jib is cut to fit a luff-groove device, it must also have an alternative way to attach to the stay — most commonly a row of grommets along the luff so the sail can be tied on directly. See a method for hoisting a storm jib safely.
Control When It Counts
For winds past your No. 3 and No. 4
When the smallest heavy-weather jib is too much, the storm jib keeps the bow down and the boat steering — compact, tough, and built to keep you in control.
Stays Out of the Water
Flown from a pennant
A pennant lifts the sail above breaking waves, cutting water exposure and helping it hold its shape and drive when it matters most.
Highly Visible
Bright Storm Orange
Strong woven polyester in a high-visibility color stands out against dark storm skies — for safer crew work and easier spotting in a rescue.
Design & Construction
A storm jib is built to strict specifications so it stays effective and durable in the worst conditions:
- Size: no more than 5% of the foretriangle height squared
- Luff length: under 65% of the foretriangle height
- Material: strong woven polyester (Dacron), or HMPE fibers
- Color: high-visibility shades — typically bright orange, yellow, or pink
- Shape: a hollow leech and hollow foot, both cut to prevent edge flutter in high winds
- Attachment: a pennant for elevated deployment above breaking waves
Attachment Methods
Most storm jibs are designed to work with a forestay roller-furling system, a standard forestay attachment, or an inner forestay. Whatever the primary setup, every storm jib also needs a backup: a row of grommets along the luff lets you tie the sail directly to the stay if a furling system fails. That redundancy is the whole point — a way to get the sail up and secured by hand when you need it most.
When to Use a Storm Jib
Reach for the storm jib once the weather moves past what your normal headsails can safely handle:
- When wind speeds exceed the capacity of your heavy-weather jibs
- When standard headsail reduction is no longer enough
- Before conditions turn severe — set it proactively, not at the last minute
- When the forecast calls for sustained heavy weather
Be Ready Before You Need It
A storm jib is specialized safety gear — not just emergency equipment, but a tool for keeping control when standard sails are overwhelmed. It may see limited use, but its value can’t be overstated when conditions deteriorate. Inspect the material, stitching, attachment points, grommets, and pennant regularly, and stow the sail somewhere you can reach it fast. Most important, practice setting it in moderate conditions so the crew knows the drill: keep communication clear during the change, keep your backup attachment materials handy, and keep an eye on the sail while it’s flying. Regular practice and proper care are what turn a storm jib into real peace of mind.
FAQs
Why does a storm jib need to be high-visibility?
The bright color isn’t cosmetic. It stands out in poor conditions and against dark storm clouds, makes the sail easy to pick out during maneuvers, and helps others spot you if a rescue is ever needed.
How is the correct size calculated?
Under the ISAF / World Sailing rules, a storm jib’s area is limited to 5% of the foretriangle height squared, and its luff must be under 65% of the foretriangle height. That keeps the sail properly proportioned to your boat.
Why fly it from a pennant?
The pennant lifts the sail above breaking waves, which reduces water exposure and lets the sail keep a better, more efficient shape — so it drives the boat instead of getting buried and beaten by the seas.
What if my furler fails — how else does it attach?
Every storm jib needs a backup attachment. The usual method is a row of grommets along the luff so you can tie the sail directly to the stay. If the sail is cut for a luff-groove device, that alternative attachment is required, and the ties must be permanently fixed to the sail.
Does it have to meet racing rules?
For racing, the storm jib must meet ISAF / World Sailing requirements covering size, material, visibility, attachment method, and having a backup system in place.
