My Catalina 30 has a new loose footed main and a double exit box in the back of the boom. The reefing line is tied to boom with a bowline, then through the sail and down to the sheave at tge back. Then internal to a sheave under the boom up front, down to a standing block at the base of the mast, to an organizer and back to a clutch. I am 76 years old and only one more or less good arm. I have no problems with this set up. The luff stays reefed using the cunningham.
Single Line Reefing - reducing drag when hoisting Main Sail
- Thread starter smokey73
- Start date
The main on my boat has blocks stitched in at the tack and clew positions at both reef points. The reef lines run to turning blocks at the mast base and back to the cockpit. The original reef lines are 3/8" but could easily be smaller diameter. As long as they are slack when hoisting the sail, It goes up smoothly. There is probably more friction from the sail slugs in the mast track than from the reef lines. Some MacLube on the slugs from time to time remedies that to a point.
Dan-
See my post (#17 in this thread) for what I used:
http://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/mainsail-reefing-concept.109468/
I also changed my OEM reefing lines to some high-strength-techy lines about 5/16".
Rich, That looks like exactly what I would like to do. Where did you get that "nifty" white fitting for the grommet? Looks like the ticket.
I machined the white fitting myself. I have one set if you would like it. The other set broke somehow. Not a good testimonial, but you can have the one set if you wish. You could try it and if you are satisfied then you could get something similar for the other reef.
Rich, thanks so much. I'd love to have it to give it a try. I'll pm you with my address in case you have lost it.
Dan