Do you know how to reef your main... and are you comfortable doing it? Can you do it with your eyes shut, or is it a bigger challenge than that? Can you work your way through it deliberately, or would you prefer to just crank up the engine when it blows too hard? What are your techniques for handling single line and other reefing systems? Shorten up your opinions here, then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
R
Rodney
How could you not?
How could you really "sail" a late model Hunter and not reef? Before the wind hits 20 knots, I have one in. By 25 knots, I am going to two. I didn't buy the boat to motor or to stay at the dock. She surely performs better in a stiff breeze with shortened sail. Fair winds to all, but let's sail when we can, Rodney S/V Avanti
How could you really "sail" a late model Hunter and not reef? Before the wind hits 20 knots, I have one in. By 25 knots, I am going to two. I didn't buy the boat to motor or to stay at the dock. She surely performs better in a stiff breeze with shortened sail. Fair winds to all, but let's sail when we can, Rodney S/V Avanti
G
Gary Wyngarden
T
Tom
single line?
CAT27; I reef my main, but I sure wish I had a roller furling for the head sail and thus adjust the helm. Also, I am pretty sure the boom has the hardware to single line it, but I don't know how to rig it. That would save me getting batted around.
CAT27; I reef my main, but I sure wish I had a roller furling for the head sail and thus adjust the helm. Also, I am pretty sure the boom has the hardware to single line it, but I don't know how to rig it. That would save me getting batted around.
P
Peter Milne
Reefing Frustration
Ideally, it should be possible to put in a reef quickly, easily and with no fear of snags. Todate, I have not reached this goal. When I first purchased the boat, the previous owner had taken out the single line reefing system and installed two lines for each reef. Unfortunately, it was installed incorrectly. After a number of frustrating and unsuccessful attempts to reef, we discovered and corrected the problem. However, it still wasn't easy. We stuck it out for a year after which I decided to convert the system back to single line reefs. Once I had it set up properly with the lines and halyards clearly marked, reefing is easier, but still not without problems. Single line reefing involves miles of line which often binds or snags halfway through a reef requiring troubleshooting (Not what you want when the wind is rising). The first reef is not so bad, its the second one that can cause problems. The second reef is also often messy. I am considering going back to two line reef for the second reef. One day I'll get it right! Peter Milne S/V Blue Heron
Ideally, it should be possible to put in a reef quickly, easily and with no fear of snags. Todate, I have not reached this goal. When I first purchased the boat, the previous owner had taken out the single line reefing system and installed two lines for each reef. Unfortunately, it was installed incorrectly. After a number of frustrating and unsuccessful attempts to reef, we discovered and corrected the problem. However, it still wasn't easy. We stuck it out for a year after which I decided to convert the system back to single line reefs. Once I had it set up properly with the lines and halyards clearly marked, reefing is easier, but still not without problems. Single line reefing involves miles of line which often binds or snags halfway through a reef requiring troubleshooting (Not what you want when the wind is rising). The first reef is not so bad, its the second one that can cause problems. The second reef is also often messy. I am considering going back to two line reef for the second reef. One day I'll get it right! Peter Milne S/V Blue Heron
D
david
Reef-A-Matic
I don't know what O'Day did on the 35 but it was definitely GREAT!!! I don't have my lines led aft to the cockpit but from the mast it is a breeze (no pun intended). The reefing lines run thru the boom with cam cleats one for each reef position. There is a hook on each side of the boom for the tack. So basically round up release halyard, hook tack at proper reef point, tighten halyard, pull on 1st or second reef line at the front of the boom and let the cam cleat it. There are ties for the reef grommets just to keep the excess sail from flogging around. A really great reefing system!!! Dave
I don't know what O'Day did on the 35 but it was definitely GREAT!!! I don't have my lines led aft to the cockpit but from the mast it is a breeze (no pun intended). The reefing lines run thru the boom with cam cleats one for each reef position. There is a hook on each side of the boom for the tack. So basically round up release halyard, hook tack at proper reef point, tighten halyard, pull on 1st or second reef line at the front of the boom and let the cam cleat it. There are ties for the reef grommets just to keep the excess sail from flogging around. A really great reefing system!!! Dave
B
Bryan C.
L
Larry Watkins
Reefing
I have a roller-furling main, reefing is quite easy as long as the right tension is maintained on both lines.
I have a roller-furling main, reefing is quite easy as long as the right tension is maintained on both lines.
G
gary jensen
Hate to reef
Reefing is very easy on my boat as I have a furlrd main. When we race, only once have we reefed. That that was 3-31-01. We had a 152% jib and a full main in 34 knots offshore. We did reef the main going to weather about one mile before rounding the mark. We did shake the reef going downwind and saw 9 1/2 knots consistantly going downwind. We did opt to not fly the spinnaker because of the high waves. I couldn't argue with the skipper as we took a FIRST place!!!!
Reefing is very easy on my boat as I have a furlrd main. When we race, only once have we reefed. That that was 3-31-01. We had a 152% jib and a full main in 34 knots offshore. We did reef the main going to weather about one mile before rounding the mark. We did shake the reef going downwind and saw 9 1/2 knots consistantly going downwind. We did opt to not fly the spinnaker because of the high waves. I couldn't argue with the skipper as we took a FIRST place!!!!
J
Judy B
No Sweat
I sail a Potter 19, not a Beneteau, and I reef nearly every day in the summer on San Francisco Bay, as soon as winds hit about 18 knots. I have two reefs in the mainsail, each with a two-line system. They never snag. It takes me about 30 or 45 seconds to put in a reef or shake one out, right from the cockpit. Bruce Schwab, the head rigger at Svendsens Boatworks, advised me on how to set up the reefs. For an article I wrote on how I set up my reefs, go to the link below. Fair winds, Judy B, 1985 West Wight Potter 19 #266, Redwing
I sail a Potter 19, not a Beneteau, and I reef nearly every day in the summer on San Francisco Bay, as soon as winds hit about 18 knots. I have two reefs in the mainsail, each with a two-line system. They never snag. It takes me about 30 or 45 seconds to put in a reef or shake one out, right from the cockpit. Bruce Schwab, the head rigger at Svendsens Boatworks, advised me on how to set up the reefs. For an article I wrote on how I set up my reefs, go to the link below. Fair winds, Judy B, 1985 West Wight Potter 19 #266, Redwing
L
Lee Urbani
If you never reefed you've never sailed
I agree with most of the previous statements. Know every part of your vessel or you will risk getting hurt. How could you not know how to reef and own a sail boat? Why not learn how to sail in the wind? There is no feeling like being in control of a large keel boat in strong winds and waves. Not to be macho but, these are not adverse conditions this is the real world, man. Its like riding a wild stallion that you know is listening and reacting to your every command, its still wild but...... What a great feeling. You can see the real sailors: they reef early and often but always sail (the other people just don't get it, do they?.) Try it you'll like it. Lee
I agree with most of the previous statements. Know every part of your vessel or you will risk getting hurt. How could you not know how to reef and own a sail boat? Why not learn how to sail in the wind? There is no feeling like being in control of a large keel boat in strong winds and waves. Not to be macho but, these are not adverse conditions this is the real world, man. Its like riding a wild stallion that you know is listening and reacting to your every command, its still wild but...... What a great feeling. You can see the real sailors: they reef early and often but always sail (the other people just don't get it, do they?.) Try it you'll like it. Lee
J
Jay Eaton
Roller Furling sails
Reefing the roller furling main is easy, provided you have bent the sail on the furler correctly (otherwise it can bind in the mast) and you maintain tension on both furler lines. Even if the furler lines jump out of the clutch, you can go to the mast with a winch handle and "handle it." When sailing in heavy weather with the new full roach main, furling the jib is very easy if you blanket the jib with the main. Otherwise, it is very difficult to furl the jib in high winds. We recently experienced furling both sails when gale force winds suddenly hit the boat. s/v NEVERMORE
Reefing the roller furling main is easy, provided you have bent the sail on the furler correctly (otherwise it can bind in the mast) and you maintain tension on both furler lines. Even if the furler lines jump out of the clutch, you can go to the mast with a winch handle and "handle it." When sailing in heavy weather with the new full roach main, furling the jib is very easy if you blanket the jib with the main. Otherwise, it is very difficult to furl the jib in high winds. We recently experienced furling both sails when gale force winds suddenly hit the boat. s/v NEVERMORE
J
Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Reefed more often than not
I tend to sail with one reef and a full 150% genny most of the time. Next move is to go to second reef and balance the helm with rolling in the headsail some. So much more power in the genny anyway, why keep the main full and increase the weather helm? Justin - O'day Owners' Web
I tend to sail with one reef and a full 150% genny most of the time. Next move is to go to second reef and balance the helm with rolling in the headsail some. So much more power in the genny anyway, why keep the main full and increase the weather helm? Justin - O'day Owners' Web
C
Colonel John W. Day
Gotta Love That Roller Furling Main!
Took delivery on my new 380 three weeks ago and sailed her down to Fort Monroe from Deltaville over the weekend. Wind steadily grew from zero to over thirty plus knots apparent and eventually produced four to six foot seas by mid-day Saturday. I made my reefs in the Selden Roller Furling Main based on some predicted reefing points I calculated for a constant total sail pressure for increasing winds in increments of five knots from 15 to 50. The thirty knot calculation was perfect leaving me racing at hull speed with a neutral rudder! Once you go to a roller furling main, you will never go back. What a dream to sail and I did everything from the safety of the cockpit!
Took delivery on my new 380 three weeks ago and sailed her down to Fort Monroe from Deltaville over the weekend. Wind steadily grew from zero to over thirty plus knots apparent and eventually produced four to six foot seas by mid-day Saturday. I made my reefs in the Selden Roller Furling Main based on some predicted reefing points I calculated for a constant total sail pressure for increasing winds in increments of five knots from 15 to 50. The thirty knot calculation was perfect leaving me racing at hull speed with a neutral rudder! Once you go to a roller furling main, you will never go back. What a dream to sail and I did everything from the safety of the cockpit!
N
NH
How to calculate reefing points for a furled main?
This is my first furled main, how do I calculate reefing points? Or do I just guess how much to reef?? Thanks, -NH
This is my first furled main, how do I calculate reefing points? Or do I just guess how much to reef?? Thanks, -NH
D
David Foster
Heaving to is the key
Once we became confident heaving to in the Lady Lillie, reefing became a snap. We reef early, because the h27 prefers to stay on her feet, and so does the Admiral
Once we became confident heaving to in the Lady Lillie, reefing became a snap. We reef early, because the h27 prefers to stay on her feet, and so does the Admiral
C
Colonel John W. Day
Calculating Those Reefs
If you want, write me at ddays@earthlink.net and I will try to help you out. I've already made these for some friends in Hunter 410s and 450s and of course have the information on the 380. I'll need your sail's measurments. Assuming I don't get a flood of these, I'll get back to each of you. Of course, I won't assume any liability for the numbers but I promise to give them to you in good faith. Quite honestly, I'm totally surprised that Hunter didn't provide these as they should have EXACT predictions. It is not rocket science but my background in fighter aviation does help. D-Day
If you want, write me at ddays@earthlink.net and I will try to help you out. I've already made these for some friends in Hunter 410s and 450s and of course have the information on the 380. I'll need your sail's measurments. Assuming I don't get a flood of these, I'll get back to each of you. Of course, I won't assume any liability for the numbers but I promise to give them to you in good faith. Quite honestly, I'm totally surprised that Hunter didn't provide these as they should have EXACT predictions. It is not rocket science but my background in fighter aviation does help. D-Day
D
Don
If you don't have winch assist to reef.....
try this method. Ease the halyard untill the sail gromet is slightly below the boom. Take up on the reefing outhaul, then tighten the halyard untill you get good sail shape. Too tight will make the sail flat with no power at all. It sounds backwards, but is much easier than pulling against a flogging sail with the halyard tight. Try it.
try this method. Ease the halyard untill the sail gromet is slightly below the boom. Take up on the reefing outhaul, then tighten the halyard untill you get good sail shape. Too tight will make the sail flat with no power at all. It sounds backwards, but is much easier than pulling against a flogging sail with the halyard tight. Try it.
R
Roger Mummah
We Put In One Reef Every Day We Move
When we are cruising the Bahamas aboard Endless Summer (h31), most of our time is spent at anchor. On days we move, unless we absolutley KNOW that the winds will be less than 15 knots, we put in one reef before we leave the anchorage. We don't want to be on the cabin top reefing the main if we are in bouncy seas. It's easier to take out the reef if we don't need it than to put it in if we do.
When we are cruising the Bahamas aboard Endless Summer (h31), most of our time is spent at anchor. On days we move, unless we absolutley KNOW that the winds will be less than 15 knots, we put in one reef before we leave the anchorage. We don't want to be on the cabin top reefing the main if we are in bouncy seas. It's easier to take out the reef if we don't need it than to put it in if we do.
Reefing is a mandatory skill
Every sailor should be proficient at reefing, regardless of the sail design. Matching sail area to wind and wave conditions is critical for keeping the boat under control. If your boat is not under control, you are not sailing. Also, if the thought of reefing crosses your mind for even an instant while out sailing, stop and tuck one in immediately. Peter H23 "Raven"
Every sailor should be proficient at reefing, regardless of the sail design. Matching sail area to wind and wave conditions is critical for keeping the boat under control. If your boat is not under control, you are not sailing. Also, if the thought of reefing crosses your mind for even an instant while out sailing, stop and tuck one in immediately. Peter H23 "Raven"
- Status
- Not open for further replies.