1984 Hunter 27 - Reefing Technique

[Hunter Enthusiast]

I recently purchased a 1984 Hunter 27.

Firstly, there are two reefing points on my mainsail (see Picture No. 1) and I'm trying to understand the technique used to properly reef it. As best I can tell, Reef Pt. 1 is secured over the Port-side reefing hook (see Picture No. 2) whereas Reef Pt. 2 is secured on the Starboard-side reefing hook (see Picture No. 3).

Am I correct in this understanding?

Secondly, the biggest issue of confusion relates to the Reefing lever (s) found at mast end of boom (see also Pictures No. 2 and 3).

How are these Reefing levers used?

 

[shemandr]

Regarding the port/starboard reefing hooks I would use the one most convenient. I don't think there is a convention as to which is to be used first. It may depend more on which tack you put the reef in on.
I'm not familiar with reefing levers (At least by that name) but I'm guessing that they are cam locks for the reefing lines. Since the are at the gooseneck one would haul the line forward standing forward of the gooseneck and the lock them when the desired tension was reached. You can't get a reef line too tight so I'd look to improve the purchase, decrease friction or otherwise add advantage.

 

[Hunter Enthusiast]

Regarding the port/starboard reefing hooks I would use the one most convenient. I don't think there is a convention as to which is to be used first. It may depend more on which tack you put the reef in on.
I'm not familiar with reefing levers (At least by that name) but I'm guessing that they are cam locks for the reefing lines. Since the are at the gooseneck one would haul the line forward standing forward of the gooseneck and the lock them when the desired tension was reached. You can't get a reef line too tight so I'd look to improve the purchase, decrease friction or otherwise add advantage.

Thank you for your reply; I appreciate it. I expect you're right in that they're cam locks (vs. my calling them reefing levers); I've never reefed any sail, ever! I understand the theory of reefing, just not the method to apply it in the field. I'm trying to get my mind around how reefing is done for my particular set up.

Sail safe!!

 

[Allan12210]

Here is an old link to the Kenyon Jiffy Reefing system. My 1985 H34 used this system.

Kenyon jiffy reefing

I thought that this is how the reefing should be layed out, however, upon putting in a reef this past week I felt that there was way too much belly in the sail and no real way to remove it. This is because the tension is straight down rather then back, so I obviously have something screwed up...

forums.sailboatowners.com

You are correct that the first reef cringle was secured over the starboard side horn at the gooseneck. The second reef was attached to the port side horn.

As to the lines, the diagram on the post shows them tied off at the end of the boom and passing through a respective cringle at the sail leech (1st or second reef point). On my boat, the second reef was tied off on the starboard side of the boom then passed through the cringle at the leech then down to a sheave at the end of the boom on the port side. The first reef was tied at the port side of the boom and routed through the sail to the starboard boom end sheave. The reefing lines were routed forward internally within the boom and exited a hole at the gooseneck past the lever teeth and over that little sheave I see in your picture. The lever acted as a sheet jammer to secure them in the tensioned, reefed position. The excess line just hung there. When not reefed, I left it loose and coiled the extra line securing it with a loop through the coils. When it was time to reef, I'd dump the mainsheet, raise the topping lift to take any tension off the leech, drop the main halyard and then go forward to the mast. I'd then hook the luff cringle to the proper horn and pull the appropriate reefing line tight. That last little bit of tension needed was by making a loop in the line and using my foot to tension it. Lock the lever to hold it in place. The extra, longer line was re-coiled to make it neat. I'd return to the cockpit, fully tension the halyard, release the topping lift which would tension the leech and sheet the main in for proper trim.

 

[Hunter Enthusiast]

Thank you so much!!! This is really helplful.

Sail safe.