Reefing a C30

[drazlou]

I was out today and the wind piped up so I thought I'd practice reefing. My C30 came with single line reefing which I know is not as effective as double line reefing. My question is that the aft reef cringle is about 18" forward of the reefing line exit at the aft end of the boom. Whether I had single or double line reefing it seems that the aft line pulls the sail back rather than down and it's impossible to get the aft end of the sail tight to the boom. I end up with the forward end of the sail tight to the boom and the aft end loose and flapping. Suggestions?

 

[weinie]

Hence the problem with single line reefing!

Did you have your mainsheet and vang loose when you tried?

 

[Stu Jackson]

There should be a 45 angle between the reefing line on the boom and the reefing clew cringle. It should pull down and aft. Is it fixed or is it on a block on a track on the side of the boom?

 

[drazlou]

It's on a block in the end of the boom. From that point to the reef cringle may be 45 degrees or more when the sail is full up but as you pull it down the angle becomes less and less until you have the cringle 8" above the boom and the block exit is 18" back. At this point you are pulling mostly back and I'm afraid if I winch it I'll pull the sail slugs out of the track. How would double line reefing change this geometry?

 

[hvbaker]

Stu, is correct it should pull down and back and as the sail comes down it pulls back.

 

[weinie]

The block should slide forward on a t-track on the boom so it is closer to the clew of the sail or you can mount a cheek block permanently if you don't have the track.

 

[hvbaker]

Stu, is correct it should pull down and back and as the sail comes down it pulls back.

when the sail is at the reefed position the reefing line should be pulling aft just as the out haul does when the sail is not reefed.

 

[Jimm]

I have a loose-footed main on my 30. Put a turning block at the cringle and brought the end of the reefing line down to the boom just aft of where the clew should wind up (wrapped securely around the boom). Thus my reefing line pulls back and down. Note - need to be able to remove the turning block when not in use so it doesn't wear on the sail.
Also, I have two reef points (added the deeper one), so I can switch the turning block between. I plan to add two cleats (at appropriate points) to the side of the boom to tie off the line. The turning block makes pulling the line thru several turns - aft boom, fwrd boom, mast base, deck turn - back to cockpit cam cleat easier.