3rd reef for Oceanis 37?

Parsons · Jan 23, 2017

The cost of putting in the third reef is minimal (much less than a dedicated storm trysail), but honestly would you actually use that reef? If you are day sailing only, and check your weather, is it possible that you would be out in Force 8 - 9 weather (40+ kt sustained winds)? If you are passage making and cannot make harbor, such measures are needed. Most of us are 90% weekend daysailing and vacation coastal cruising, so reducing the main to 40-50% is not needed.

Jackdaw · Jan 23, 2017

For your sailing location I would do it.

Your boom probably only has 2 reefing line runs, so you have two options:

1) Pre-run two of the three reef points, either 1-3 or 2-3 depending on your atttitude.

2) Run 1 and 2, and run a small endless loop of line between reef points 2 and three, and use it to re-run reef 1 to 3 during the times you expect it to get real sporty.

Gunni · Jan 23, 2017

I debated this question when replacing my original mainsail and decided not to add a 3rd reef. Your mainsail is not heavy reinforced as a proper storm sail, and if like the 411 the second reef is very deep anyway. Of more concern to me would be sizing your foresail to something smaller for the wind and chop of the Solent. If you have a masthead foresail you have a challenge there. I opted for an ATN gale sail, roller furl Genoa, and asym. spinnaker but that is just a bandaid. A smaller working foresail and a spinnaker is a better combo for frequently breezy locations.

Pilgrimtex · Jan 24, 2017

I have a furling main on my Oceanis 37. If I had a classic rig I would go to a third reef capability. Sea state is a big factor. I used my main and jib as long as I could in a force 8 storm to give some stability against severe rolling. The seas were all confused from wind shifts. Having roller furling allowed endless reef capabilities and I was down to an equivalent 3rd reef as long as I could. I also own a ATN gale sail but there was no way I was going forward in the up to 15 ft seas to hank it on. 3rd reef will reduce the strain on your sail cloth as well. Bare polls mean your bobbing like a cork with a tall stick projecting up from it.
Just my 2 cents.

Kings Gambit · Jan 24, 2017

Gunni may have a good point. Just adding a 3rd reef might not make a functional storm sail out of a mainsail of "normal" cloth weight and reinforcement. I imagine the in-mast furling rigs can get it down to something quite small, but a 3rd reef remains a fixed amount of sail. Kretschmer discusses this option in Sailing a Serious Ocean but where he happens to favor the 3rd reef point over the trysail. (But what weight sails does he carry?) I recently ordered a new mainsail where I did not ask for a 3rd reef point to be installed. Of course, I rarely find myself in even 30-35 kt wind w/8-ft seas as we typically sail well within 40 n.mi. of shore or sheltered island locations in Southern California (unlike your venue). Sunday's storm brought unusual 12-ft seas in the San Pedro Channel but I don't know why anyone in a "recreational" sailboat would wish to be out there in them

. The Baja HaHa had challenging conditions this year off northern Baja California with high winds and large seas in that range, and evidently many sailors put in at San Quintin Bay the first or second night (an unscheduled stop) to await better conditions. That might not have been a good time to go out (i.e., at the start of the rally in San Diego) but if you're with the rally then I guess that's when you'd go. The only weather you have any "control over" is the weather you leave in--as we all have mused. So, if you're going to do that (be out there in gales) then preparation is essential, of course.

Pilgrimtex · Jan 24, 2017

Sail cloth can take more than you think. My opinion. Especially as you reef reducing area and thus reducing pressure overall. Look at it this way. Better to have it and not need it than to wish you had it and you don't. What sails you can maintain in a storm are a stabilizing factor. And also allow you to heave to in order to ride out a squall etc. Keeping some sheet up is important. In mast furling can get it down but it's still just sail cloth. Again it's less pressure on the sail due to reduced sail area. Cheap insurance as far as I am concerned.

Kings Gambit · Jan 24, 2017

Pressure = force/area; so reducing sail area with increasing wind force does not mean that pressure on the sail (and its fittings) goes down. The overall pressure that the boat and the rigging "feel" due to the sail might. However, reefing just brings the center of effort of the sails closer to the center of lateral resistance of the hull, and reduces heeling.

Gunni · Jan 24, 2017

The Solent is hell's half-acre of ocean on a regular basis. See "Fastnet Race". A serious Solent sailor should consider storm sails and an inner stay...or keep a careful weather eye. It is on my bucket list.

Pilgrimtex · Jan 24, 2017

Go Gunni.
Solent separating the Isle of wight from mainland England. Get the third reef. I recall "Celtic Thunder" (home, home, home from the sea. Angel of mercy answer our plea and carry us home, home, home from the sea. Carry us safely. Home from the sea)