I have been having a conversation with a sailing buddy and we seem to disagree. I would like some advice as neither of us have much experience sailing under a reefed main. I have a single line reefing system on my C-28 MkII. My buddy claims that when you reef you do not have to tie the sail around the boom as the pressure on the sail is absorbed from the reef cringle. I feel that when the main sail is reefed it should be tied with square (reef) knots around the boom to help disburse the load. Any thoughts on this subject would be appreciated. I don't need to reef the main much with the C-28 but I do not want to damage the sail should I need to. Thanks.
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John J.
Reef Knots
Good question that can have a few answers. Do you HAVE to tie off the main to the boom. No By doing it, you accomplish a couple of things. One you can get a flatter main for better upwind performance and overall better shape. Two, it keeps the loose sail from flapping in the wind. As far as where the pressure is absorbed, tying it off probable helps to more evenly distribute the load across the foot of the sail. I'm not an expert but I would think tying it off would help the overall life of the main.
Good question that can have a few answers. Do you HAVE to tie off the main to the boom. No By doing it, you accomplish a couple of things. One you can get a flatter main for better upwind performance and overall better shape. Two, it keeps the loose sail from flapping in the wind. As far as where the pressure is absorbed, tying it off probable helps to more evenly distribute the load across the foot of the sail. I'm not an expert but I would think tying it off would help the overall life of the main.
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners
Some thoughts
I think most experienced sailors would agree with your friend. The thinking goes that the reef points, although reinforced, are not strong enough to withstand the pressure put on the sail and can rip out. The most you want to do is *loosely* tie them to keep them from flapping around. You never ever want to put that much stress on reef points. LaDonna
I think most experienced sailors would agree with your friend. The thinking goes that the reef points, although reinforced, are not strong enough to withstand the pressure put on the sail and can rip out. The most you want to do is *loosely* tie them to keep them from flapping around. You never ever want to put that much stress on reef points. LaDonna
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Joe
only one purpose
There is really only one purpose for the grommets and that is to tie "loosly" the part of the main that is below the reef points on the sail. Those grommets were never meant to give shape to the sail when reefing. If you tie them tight you will sooner than later rip out your main.
There is really only one purpose for the grommets and that is to tie "loosly" the part of the main that is below the reef points on the sail. Those grommets were never meant to give shape to the sail when reefing. If you tie them tight you will sooner than later rip out your main.
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Harry
Look at the sail.....
I think that if you look closely at the sail, you will see that the reef points are only lightly reenforced, compared to the tack and clew reef cringles . Do not, under any circumstances put any pressure on these. As a matter of fact, I use knots that will slip under pressure. Think about what can happen if you are shaking out a reef and you forget to untie one of these and you fall off and hit a puff. Use downward and outward pressure on the reef "clew", (do this first) and downward pressure on the tack (second) to shape the sail. Then use the traveller and the vang to keep the sail as flat as possible. If you're beating, use the traveller to spill the wind (if convenient) otherwise play the mainsheet. Disclaimer: This is what works for me. If I'm wrong, let me know, folks!!! Good luck, and wind that requires reefing is great sailing weather!!! h.
I think that if you look closely at the sail, you will see that the reef points are only lightly reenforced, compared to the tack and clew reef cringles . Do not, under any circumstances put any pressure on these. As a matter of fact, I use knots that will slip under pressure. Think about what can happen if you are shaking out a reef and you forget to untie one of these and you fall off and hit a puff. Use downward and outward pressure on the reef "clew", (do this first) and downward pressure on the tack (second) to shape the sail. Then use the traveller and the vang to keep the sail as flat as possible. If you're beating, use the traveller to spill the wind (if convenient) otherwise play the mainsheet. Disclaimer: This is what works for me. If I'm wrong, let me know, folks!!! Good luck, and wind that requires reefing is great sailing weather!!! h.
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Steve Franklin
Reefing considerations
Back in the days of loose footed mains, conventional wisdom was to reef only around the foot of the sail, not around the boom. Gathering up the loose material at the foot (reefed foot) of the sail is important for 2 reasons. It gives the sail the MUCH better shape and prevents flogging of the loose fabric. Basically, the reef points are used as substitutes for whatever system you use to secure the foot of your sail to the boom. Improper reefing, too tight or too loose, will potentially damage your sail, especially if reefed around the boom. Too loose will still allow the sail to flog and severely strain the reef points. Not good. If you do not have the reefed clew TIGHTLY secured, the strain will be taken by the reef points. Also not good. If you do not use the reef points, you will strain the reefed tack and clew, especially if the sail is not designed as loose footed. Again, not good. Once the reefed tack and clew are secured, you can adjust the tightness of the reef points as needed to reduce any wrinkling (a sign of strain)in the sail. Every once in a great while, I'll even see reefed jibs. Gives credence to the loose footed main theory. However you reef, strain will be your primary concern. Ripped sails don't hold shape very well. A point to consider. Sail makers don't go to the expense of adding reef points because they look cool. They are there to be used. I think your buddy would be well served by doing a bit more reading about reefing. Sailing yesterday in winds gusting to 25 kts, I had my C30 single reefed. The aft two points were tied tightly around the boom. The forward point had a little (very little) play, just enough to erase a wrinkle. Very comfortable ride, except for the rain. Sorry this is so long. Hope it's helpful.
Back in the days of loose footed mains, conventional wisdom was to reef only around the foot of the sail, not around the boom. Gathering up the loose material at the foot (reefed foot) of the sail is important for 2 reasons. It gives the sail the MUCH better shape and prevents flogging of the loose fabric. Basically, the reef points are used as substitutes for whatever system you use to secure the foot of your sail to the boom. Improper reefing, too tight or too loose, will potentially damage your sail, especially if reefed around the boom. Too loose will still allow the sail to flog and severely strain the reef points. Not good. If you do not have the reefed clew TIGHTLY secured, the strain will be taken by the reef points. Also not good. If you do not use the reef points, you will strain the reefed tack and clew, especially if the sail is not designed as loose footed. Again, not good. Once the reefed tack and clew are secured, you can adjust the tightness of the reef points as needed to reduce any wrinkling (a sign of strain)in the sail. Every once in a great while, I'll even see reefed jibs. Gives credence to the loose footed main theory. However you reef, strain will be your primary concern. Ripped sails don't hold shape very well. A point to consider. Sail makers don't go to the expense of adding reef points because they look cool. They are there to be used. I think your buddy would be well served by doing a bit more reading about reefing. Sailing yesterday in winds gusting to 25 kts, I had my C30 single reefed. The aft two points were tied tightly around the boom. The forward point had a little (very little) play, just enough to erase a wrinkle. Very comfortable ride, except for the rain. Sorry this is so long. Hope it's helpful.
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gary jensen
tying the foot
When we race, we never tie off the main to the boom. The reason is that we can shake it quickly when we start a run downwind. When I had my last boat (Catalina 36)I had a bungie cord with a ball on either end placed through the grommets on the main. I would tighten the main on the boom using them. It was fast and easy to do. There was minimal pressure on the bungie cords. It just stopped the sail from flapping loosly. I presently have a loose footed main (in mast furler system) there arn't any gromet holes on the sail at all. When I reef it, I keep a lot of tension on the foot and the flapping is very minimal.
When we race, we never tie off the main to the boom. The reason is that we can shake it quickly when we start a run downwind. When I had my last boat (Catalina 36)I had a bungie cord with a ball on either end placed through the grommets on the main. I would tighten the main on the boom using them. It was fast and easy to do. There was minimal pressure on the bungie cords. It just stopped the sail from flapping loosly. I presently have a loose footed main (in mast furler system) there arn't any gromet holes on the sail at all. When I reef it, I keep a lot of tension on the foot and the flapping is very minimal.
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Brad Elbein
Reefing question
Thanks for the discussion ... I will change my reefing procedure accordingly. Now, a question for the assembled multitudes. Yesterday I was up at the boat doing some work, and noticed for the first time (!!!) that my jiffy reefing system is set up really oddly. On the rear end of the boom is a track with a sliding block, through which the leach is reefed. But on this track there is a second sliding block, which does not appear to serve any purpose. I'm wondering if a previous owner added this just for fun, or if it used to serve a purpose and when it was re-rigged, someone screwed it up. It's a matter of sailing metaphysics to me that no boat should have an extraneous block... Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks for the discussion ... I will change my reefing procedure accordingly. Now, a question for the assembled multitudes. Yesterday I was up at the boat doing some work, and noticed for the first time (!!!) that my jiffy reefing system is set up really oddly. On the rear end of the boom is a track with a sliding block, through which the leach is reefed. But on this track there is a second sliding block, which does not appear to serve any purpose. I'm wondering if a previous owner added this just for fun, or if it used to serve a purpose and when it was re-rigged, someone screwed it up. It's a matter of sailing metaphysics to me that no boat should have an extraneous block... Any help would be appreciated.
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Chuck Graser
Sliding blocks on boom
There are two sliding blocks on the aft end of the boom, one for the first reef, and the second for the 2nd reef line.
There are two sliding blocks on the aft end of the boom, one for the first reef, and the second for the 2nd reef line.
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