3rd Reef in main needed for Pacific NW Cruising ?

[Stretch]

I am planning to purchase a new main and wondered if anyone coastal cruising up here ever uses a 3rd reef on these large H355 mainsails. We have some outflow winds to 35 knts but otherwise not sure if we would use it unless we were outside Vanc Island. I tried to search this but the software just dumps the word ''3rd'' and I get a million ''reef'' links...thanks and see you out there this year.. H355 ''Alida''

 

[John T1594]

"The time to put in a reef is when you first think about it."
The main sails on those fractional rigs are very large and since you don't have a furling rig, it would probably be a good idea to add the third reef.

 

[David in Sandusky]

Talk to a local sailmaker

A good one will think through the problem with you.

Our sailmaker put two reefs in our main. The lowest reef is actually the second reef position, and the highr one is the third reef. While your main is the large engine on your boat, your fractional jib is quite small already.

In any case, adding the third reef to your sail is a good investment - a great capability to have if you need it. And as you sail through the years, the time will come when you need it!

 

[Al - s/v Persephone]

Depends on range of windspeeds you want

If you have a fractional rig and want to have a mainsail sized to sail in 5kts of wind, wanting to be able to sail in 25kts+ mandates either a 3rd set of reef points, or sailing with an awful lot of spilling wind from a grossly twisted sail.

On the other hand, folks with sail areas sized to handle Force 6 with only 2 sets of reef points often seem to have trouble getting the boat to even move in less than 10kts.

For my 05H36 I had Doyle make me a 490sq-ft, all-full-batten mainsail of 8.8oz Type 52 Dacron. (305sq-ft jib of same material.)

I sail out of Newburyport between Nantucket and Penobscott Bay, and can move in under 5kts apparent wind; but I really need that 3rd reef for more than 25kts apparent (under 20kts true, usually).

I always reef-down all the way before striking sail, and that allows me to comfortably raise a 3-reefed sail in Force 6 without drama. I just shake out reefs on the way up for less thrilling conditions.

I told Doyle I wanted to be able to sail (not just survive) in anything between 3kts and 30. They delivered a suit of sails that has done that for me for a little over 8500nm. (With my B&R rig I found it necessary to also have an 850sq-ft Nylon asymmetric with sock, and a whisker pole for wing-and-wing.)

I don't go looking for Force 8, but have occasionally been caught in it. Having the ability to reserve my very-twisted-mainsail trimming option until that point with a 3-reefed main and handkerchief of unrolled jib is a nice comfort factor.

PS The photo in my avatar is Persephone sailing flat and doing hull speed 3-reefed in Force 6 out by the Isles of Shoals.

Fair winds,
Al - s/v Persephone

 

[Stretch]

Re: Depends on range of windspeeds you want

Well 3 yes and none opposed, I think it only makes sense and is a good alternative to having a furling main for 8000$ plus. I am sold on the full battens from other hunterowner posts too. Just have to decide if I can budge from the traditional boom setup with the sail in the track or go ''dinghy sailor'' style. Thanks for your replies. ''Persephone'' looks great, nice to have the story with the picture when I see your avatar.

 

[Al - s/v Persephone]

Paul -

With all-full-battens I had to graduate to something easier to slide up and down than the standard slot.

I considered both Selden's and Harken's batt-cars, but didn't like either the price or the large stacking height (which would require me to add a mast step to reach the top of the furled mainsail and its cover).

I chose Tides Marine's Strong Track system with SS slides in an HMWPE track - super slippery. I can't recommend this "strongly" enough (pun intended).

Also - Doyle recommended and I chose a loose-footed mainsail.

As you can see from my avatar, the sail shape is great even when 3-reefed. The full battens keep it so, even with the loose foot. I can't comment on how well the loose foot would work without them, however.

Fair winds,
Al