"Easy Reefing"

[Warren Milberg]

removehtml]I just got done reading, and rereading, an article on pg 38 of the Feb 2008 edition of "Sail," magazine on "Easy Reefing." Try as I might, I could not figure out why one would do what this article suggests regarding reefing lines. I think the idea of threading reefing lines through cut splices in messenger lines, held in place by use of rigging tap, when you need to reef, to be pretty unhandy and maybe unworkable. Such a system could be used if one reefed at the dock prior to heading out, but I would find doing that, when it's really blowing and you need to reef now, a near impossibility.I'm not sure how my Hunter 28.5 compares to other boats, but it has a main with two reefing cringles in the leech through which I have passed two "permanent" reefing lines. I use 3/8-inch Sprectra for this purpose. When properly adjusted, a very easy task, these two lines are always ready to be used and I've never noticed any chaffing of the mainsail from them. When I do reef the main, I only use one or the other line to bring the sail down to the boom, and then I pass a stout piece of webbing through the cringle and wrap it tightly around the boom to make sure the sail stays in place. Granted, this article seems to be about racers who don't want to reef under any circumstance. The article suggests the use of small diameter messenger lines would cut down on windage and reduce chafe. I think an overweight crewperson would slow the boat down more than any size reefing line one might use. What am I missing here? Error: Error: expected [/URL], but found [/removehtml] instead[/removehtml]

 

[Seattle Scott]

Warren I agree

I couldn't understand that article on the first two reads, then when I figured it out, it still didn't make sense.

 

[bffatcat]

reefing made easy

I didnt read the article but from the description it sounds to me like an excercize in making something that is easy difficult. After 30 years of reefing here some things I do that I think makes things easier. I got rid of the hookthat was screwed on at the tack. Too much trouble trying to get the the hook through the hole when its blowing I dont use any sail ties or bunting to jamb in the cringle. I tie a piece of 1/4" line to the reefing cringle, at the luff about a foot long I release the halyard and start the main down. As soon as I can reach the piece of line tied to the cringle I pull it down to the boom and tie it off on a horn cleat I installed forward on the boom just for that purpose. I re hoist the main and flatten the luff. I then pull down the aft jiffy reefing line and cleet it off mid boom in the usual manner. I dont bother with point ties takes to much time. I just let the dead area hang equally on either side of the boom. The whole operation takes about me about 3 minutes and Im 70. Sure some of you are gonna say you dont like the Idea of the piece of line swinging in the breezeup near the mast. But It dosent look any worse than hanging point ties and it sure saves a lot of work.

 

[Joe]

messenger lines......

If you think you'll need to reef that day, it is simple to rig the lines using the messenger. Otherwise, why have that extra cordage slapping away on your main? I don't reef too much where I sail, perhaps twice last year in 40-50 sailing days. I used to hide my new, high-tech halyards in the mast when not sailing to keep the sun and weather off them.... just attach a messenger to the halyard, pulled it back till the shackle was up top, then coiled and bagged the tail.... well, uh, that lasted about a year for me.. but it is common among racers.

 

[Matt Holmes]

boom reefing line attachment?

a related question:My buddy just bought a catalina 27 and I'm trying to help him set up his reefing system. His main has a foot with a bolt rope that slides into the boom (i.e. not "loose-footed"), so we are unable to tie the reefing line around the boom (for the clew line). I'm guessing that we should just install a padeye on the boom to terminate the reefing line on, but should we put it on the side or on the bottom and how strong does it need to be?much thanks,matt

 

[Stephen K]

Matt, you should be able to

tie the reefing line to the boom aft of the clew. It should not matter whether the main is shelf footed(bolt rope) or loose footed...the clew can only go back so far and certainly not to the end of the boom. Look at it again. If I am missing something then a padeye on the side of the boom would be my next choice.

 

[Doug Burton]

Uh huh

I read that and said huh? You are much more open minded than I as I wrote it off as jibberish. At least you thought about it for racers and cutting edge performance. But hey, there's no carbon mast in my future either.

 

[We2Sail12113]

Good! My brain is still OK after puzzling . . .

Hoo-boy, what a riot! Here I thought I was missing out on some good stuff and all along everyone else seems to be equally confused!What I assumed from the article, it is supposed to let Racing Sailors use their leech unencumbered by heavier reefing lines, and still get a reef when necessary.However, I did have a racing buddy offer me one his real tips, since I use a single reefing line and about a half-inch double braid. I used to move the reefing lines bitter end from one cringle to the other, which took time.I normally keep the reefing line in the first reef cringle. Then when I need a second reef, I pass the reefing line through the second cringle double and tie a figure eight into it. Pull it down as close to the boom as practical, and for the final inch or so, wrap a tie wrap through and around the boom, secure with a half slippery half hitch. Works fine for us!!My problem with the article was trying to figure out how to get all that line through the cringle . . the messenger splices and the reefing line!The alternative, he suggested (my buddy) was to just use a snap shackle on the reefing line, and attach to whichever cringle was needed, and the snap shackle can be stow to the boom until needed (if ever) . . I am kidding about "if ever" . . when on Buzzards Bay, it is "when", not "if".

 

[Duane Beaver "Novelman"]

Easy reefing

There is a much better article in the April, 2008 Sail Magazine. The title is "Geezer Think Smart". As far as I am concerned, the mainsail reefing system must be easy to do as well as able to do so alone (even with a person aboard). But, if at all possible I make the first reef before I leave the dock if there is any info. about a possible "small-craft warning".Novelman