backstay/mainsheet atttachment

[Indysailor]

I like it and it's a real quick change from our current set up. Where are you cleating the reefing line? I see what appears to be a cleat on the boom, but maybe that's not it.
Thanks for posting this!

 

[HukilauMike]

That's a neat set up. I like it. I've discovered one thing about these centerboard sloops. They're hard to keep into the wind sometimes, and the faster you can reef your Mainsail the better.

Thanks Joe. Easy reefing of both the 135 genny and the main is the name of the game for me. When I have my wife and daughter aboard, my number one task is to limit heeling. I have found that with the wind below 15 knots, the best way to do that on Hukilau is to dispense with the main entirely, and just sail with the genny. I can't sail as close to the wind as I would like with that set up, but its a lot better than I thought it would be, and its certainly more comfortable for the ladies of the clan.

 

[HukilauMike]

I like it and it's a real quick change from our current set up. Where are you cleating the reefing line? I see what appears to be a cleat on the boom, but maybe that's not it.
Thanks for posting this!

The line is cleated on the new cleat I mounted that is on the boom, in between the new turning block and the gooseneck. I apologize if its not clear in the one picture of the forward end of the boom; I was sailing by myself last night, and I was having a little trouble multi-tasking, so I decided not to take too many photos.

And you are right, it is an easy change from the factory-installed two line system. I bought the turning block and cleat new at West Marine, but I found the other block and shackle at a marine consignment shop. Just for reference, the reefing line itself is 23' long. I measured the existing lines, then guesstimated the rest. It turned out to be the perfect length. The one slightly annoying thing about this set up is what happens when the sail is furled: the reefing line goes completely slack and hangs in a big loop into the cockpit. I solve that by gathering up the slack and securing it under one of the sail ties before putting the sail cover on.