You're out for a great sail and the wind starts to freshen. Maybe the gusts start to heel the boat a bit much and create some strong weather helm. Perhaps there's an ugly cloud formation upwind. But when do you reef? Do you have a set apparent wind velocity that causes you to shorten sail? Is there a degree of heel that keys you that it's time to reef down? How about too much weather helm? Or is it just when you or your crew gets uncomfortable with conditions? Share your reefing philosophy here, then vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Gary Wyngarden from a suggestion by Peggie Hall)
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LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners
When I even *think* I might need to
Went sailing on Friday for the Summer "Sailstice". The wind was pretty light on the way upriver but started picking up a little later in the afternoon. I figured I'd play it safe & reefed the main for the trip home and boy, was that a smart move! We hauled all the way home but weren't overpowered. I guess it's just a feeling. If I think I even *might* need to reef, I do. LaDonna
Went sailing on Friday for the Summer "Sailstice". The wind was pretty light on the way upriver but started picking up a little later in the afternoon. I figured I'd play it safe & reefed the main for the trip home and boy, was that a smart move! We hauled all the way home but weren't overpowered. I guess it's just a feeling. If I think I even *might* need to reef, I do. LaDonna
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Bruce F. Harting, PE
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Bill Trent
Gut Feeling
Since we own a 1986 Hunter 23 and a Grampian 26 we get that feeling that now is the time to reef. We sail the Hunter on the west coast of Florida and the Grampion on Georgian Bay.
Since we own a 1986 Hunter 23 and a Grampian 26 we get that feeling that now is the time to reef. We sail the Hunter on the west coast of Florida and the Grampion on Georgian Bay.
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Bob
Do it before it turns into a fire drill
When I think it time to reef that is when we do. When it is time to reef it turns into a lot more effort. If it turns out you do not need to, it is easy to shake it out
When I think it time to reef that is when we do. When it is time to reef it turns into a lot more effort. If it turns out you do not need to, it is easy to shake it out
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Paul Akers
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Jim
Shake out
Reef early. It is easier to shake a reef out than try to put one in once you are over powered. Especially if you are short handed.
Reef early. It is easier to shake a reef out than try to put one in once you are over powered. Especially if you are short handed.
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revron
depends
If conditions look as they will gradually build,I wait to reef as have roller main/genoa. If thunderclouds are hovering, I reef. Ron
If conditions look as they will gradually build,I wait to reef as have roller main/genoa. If thunderclouds are hovering, I reef. Ron
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Capt. Terry Killion
Early and Often
There is an old saying: "Keep looking over your shoulder, reef early & reef often. I tell my students, it's better to say oh well, then of shit!!! Personally I like a balanced helm with not much more than 5-8 degress of helm to hold her from weather. As for a rule of thumb depending of the tenderness of the boat 17-20 knots of apparent wind and a reef is usually good. Also as a charter captain, I always take into consideration the people on board and what is confortable to them. And you know, on a cruiser you really like to keep the items stored on the port side port and the items on the starboard side starboard. Capt. Terry
There is an old saying: "Keep looking over your shoulder, reef early & reef often. I tell my students, it's better to say oh well, then of shit!!! Personally I like a balanced helm with not much more than 5-8 degress of helm to hold her from weather. As for a rule of thumb depending of the tenderness of the boat 17-20 knots of apparent wind and a reef is usually good. Also as a charter captain, I always take into consideration the people on board and what is confortable to them. And you know, on a cruiser you really like to keep the items stored on the port side port and the items on the starboard side starboard. Capt. Terry
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Frank Arndorfer
A lot of variables
I agree that there's a lot of variables. I sail a H340 which carries a LOT of sail (SA/D is 22.5!!) and find that reefing above 16kts keeps the boat on it's feet and absolutely no speed is lost. And it's a much better handling boat. On the other hand, last year we had a chance to test sail a H410 and we were able to carry full sails in 24kts of wind and 6ft seas. It just put it's shoulder down and plowed through. So to maintain some organization down below, keep heel to a minimum. And the old adage of "if you THINK you need to reef, you probably should".....is a good one to follow.
I agree that there's a lot of variables. I sail a H340 which carries a LOT of sail (SA/D is 22.5!!) and find that reefing above 16kts keeps the boat on it's feet and absolutely no speed is lost. And it's a much better handling boat. On the other hand, last year we had a chance to test sail a H410 and we were able to carry full sails in 24kts of wind and 6ft seas. It just put it's shoulder down and plowed through. So to maintain some organization down below, keep heel to a minimum. And the old adage of "if you THINK you need to reef, you probably should".....is a good one to follow.
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Paul
13 kts on a 336
We put in the first reef when the sustained apparent winds exceed 12 knots. We put in the second reef when the sustained apparent winds exceed 18 kts. Obviously, we could sail right up to 15-16 kts with everything up, but our main issue is keeping the autopilot in control. When the boat heels more than 10-15 degrees, the rudder is much less effective, which is compounded by the additional weather helm, so the autopilot does a lousy job of steering the boat. Since we are double-handed (or I am by myself) it's important that the autopilot operates properly. Additionally, I think that my boat is faster when it is upright, so I'm not doing myself any good by waiting to reef.
We put in the first reef when the sustained apparent winds exceed 12 knots. We put in the second reef when the sustained apparent winds exceed 18 kts. Obviously, we could sail right up to 15-16 kts with everything up, but our main issue is keeping the autopilot in control. When the boat heels more than 10-15 degrees, the rudder is much less effective, which is compounded by the additional weather helm, so the autopilot does a lousy job of steering the boat. Since we are double-handed (or I am by myself) it's important that the autopilot operates properly. Additionally, I think that my boat is faster when it is upright, so I'm not doing myself any good by waiting to reef.
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Greg S2
Main reef at about 25kts on S2 9.2c
Very stable in higher wind. We bought the S2 for that reason.
Very stable in higher wind. We bought the S2 for that reason.
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Warren Blanchard
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Alex
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Steven
don't know how to reef.
i was sailing in 20mph winds 2 weekends ago and did not know how to reef, i know i have a reef cut into my sail but do not know how to do it. i was sailing close hauled and when the wind would gust too much i would sheet out the main. i did this for about 1 hour and gave up took sails dawn and motored to port.
i was sailing in 20mph winds 2 weekends ago and did not know how to reef, i know i have a reef cut into my sail but do not know how to do it. i was sailing close hauled and when the wind would gust too much i would sheet out the main. i did this for about 1 hour and gave up took sails dawn and motored to port.
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kevin hedgepeth
never regretted a reef
I have never regretted an early reef. It is easy to reef when things are calm and the deck is mostly level. It is even easier to shake out the reef if the weather doesnt get worse.
I have never regretted an early reef. It is easy to reef when things are calm and the deck is mostly level. It is even easier to shake out the reef if the weather doesnt get worse.
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Warren Blanchard
Reefing Rules of Thumb
The best time to reef is just before you have to say "Darn, I wish we had reefed five minutes ago!" Too much weather helm (more than 10 degrees rudder deflection) is a good indicator, but more helpful is how close the drinks are to spilling over. On our 460 with in-the-mast roller furling this happens at about 20-22 kts apparent.
The best time to reef is just before you have to say "Darn, I wish we had reefed five minutes ago!" Too much weather helm (more than 10 degrees rudder deflection) is a good indicator, but more helpful is how close the drinks are to spilling over. On our 460 with in-the-mast roller furling this happens at about 20-22 kts apparent.
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JPF
I Reef Early & Often
I put the first reef in the mainsail at about 18 kts apparent wind speed and and reef (furl-in) the headsail about 30% at about 21 kts apparent. I put a second reef in the main at about 25 knots apparent. My Seafarer 30 heels early and then stiffens-up nicely. I am usually reefed when sailing on windy South San Francisco bay, especially during the summer months when the winds are typically 20+ knots. While the rig can take it, I find that reefing early to keep the boat sailing on it's lines and maintaining a balanced helm is more efficient and easier on the crew.
I put the first reef in the mainsail at about 18 kts apparent wind speed and and reef (furl-in) the headsail about 30% at about 21 kts apparent. I put a second reef in the main at about 25 knots apparent. My Seafarer 30 heels early and then stiffens-up nicely. I am usually reefed when sailing on windy South San Francisco bay, especially during the summer months when the winds are typically 20+ knots. While the rig can take it, I find that reefing early to keep the boat sailing on it's lines and maintaining a balanced helm is more efficient and easier on the crew.
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Lee Hogman - M21 - Cool Change
Better to Have and Not Need...
Its always better to set out with a reef in case you "should" have reefed. If conditions are not as heavy as anticipated, or the winds calm down you can always shake it out (as Jim posted). But not reefed and needing to can make the task too exciting... (Like Bob posted - a fire drill) In other words: "Its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it..." Sincerely, Lee PS - my web site attached... http://www.members.accessus.net/~hogies/mac
Its always better to set out with a reef in case you "should" have reefed. If conditions are not as heavy as anticipated, or the winds calm down you can always shake it out (as Jim posted). But not reefed and needing to can make the task too exciting... (Like Bob posted - a fire drill) In other words: "Its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it..." Sincerely, Lee PS - my web site attached... http://www.members.accessus.net/~hogies/mac
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Chris
Wife starts screaming
When she starts to unravel, I usually have to give in and reef. She actually is right most of the time, and less heeling allows for a better hull footprint and we go faster and more steadily.
When she starts to unravel, I usually have to give in and reef. She actually is right most of the time, and less heeling allows for a better hull footprint and we go faster and more steadily.
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