40.5 reefing

[bustedrudder]

I despise single line reefing. There is very limited sail shape control, seems all of the tension goes to the luff, less to the leech.

It seems impossible to add 2 more lines for two line reefing with the captive organizers.

I'm used to systems where a pendent through the cringle(s) attaches to a horn but thinking a single block with a hook to put in the cringle(s) after lowering the halyard to a mark might be doable.

Anyone make this or similar modification away from single line?

 

[Stu Jackson]

You're right. The tack (luff) needs little tension and a single line up and through the reefing cringle there and down to a cleat on the other side of the boom will provide enough pull, so no organizer is needed, even a clam cleat would work, although I'd put more trust in a cam cleat. Then use your organizers for the leech reefing lines. Good luck.

 

[timvg]

We use two line reefing and get perfect sail shape. To not add any extra lines, we don't use the first reefing point and go directly to the 2nd one if it's windy enough to reef.

We found that you need to have the forward reefing line, go thru a block mounnted on the mast at about a 45 degree angle, so it's pulling forward and down. Otherwise, it puts too much tension on the sail slugs, which can break.

Our 2 line system takes us all of 5 minutes or less to reef, all without leaving the cockpit.

 

[bustedrudder]

Great suggestions! Thanks

 

[Rich Stidger]

Bustedrudder-

Here is a link to a modification that I made to my single-line reefing system. I kept the single line for both reef points, but I added a block to each leach reef point. It greatly reduced the friction in the system and I was able to tension the leach correctly.

http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...d=7571&page=article&mn=General Boat Ownership

For some reason the last picture of the first reef when set is missing, so I have added it below.