Choices, choices

Holt's new opening jib pre-feeder soon to hit the shelves in your local chandlery

Hot on the heels of Wichard’s swanky pre-feeder that caught our eye at METS in November is Holt’s solution to the luff tape cluster ***k and other assorted issues that can test the bowman.



Like the Wichard device the Holt pre-feeder has a catch and a hinge which enables the device to be opened when required. The one situation that will interest the owner is the luff tape of the jib getting tangled in the hoist, jamming and ultimately requiring the jib to be taken to the loft after the race repaired. Keen bowman will also like the fact that the head of jib now no longer needs to be taken out of the foil in a drop, leaving the sail in danger of being swept over the side, as the feeder can be closed around the tape with the head of the sail still in the foil.



The Holt unit is made out of 316 stainless and features include rolling balls to reduce friction, a pull-piston release and an offset hinge. Theses are significant differences to the Wichard feeder and the difference in sizes between the two is marked.

While arguably not as aesthetically pleasing as the French design the Holt feeder may have a couple of key advantages although being significantly larger and bulkier.

The pull-piston means that it requires a very positive action to open the jaws, and if the jaws are tangled with the sail then the piston remains outside of the trouble area and will be easier to open. In addition with the hinge offset from the centreline it be able to be neatly lashed it onto the forestay, or on smaller boats could actually wrap around the forestay.

During development it has been necessary to bring the two roller balls slightly closer together and it can now take a 4mm luff tape (Mumm 30 size) all the way up to a 7mm luff tape (Volvo 70).

Like all hardware decisions at the front, it will be up to the bowman which device he prefers and both will have their respective fan bases.

The Holt unit is in production and is expected in the chandleries in the coming weeks, retailing under the £50 mark. Further information can be requested via the Holt sales email: sales@holtallen.com