H-26 Single Line Main Reefing

[BrianW]

My 1994 H-26 currently has the standard setup with the reefing line through the Z- Spar boom and out the jam cleat on the forward end of the boom. With this setup the reefing line only pulls the aft reefing cringle down to the boom. I still have to go forward on the deck and manually hook the forward reefing cringle onto the ramshead hook. I would like to use a single line reefing system that pulls both fore and aft reefing cringles down to the boom. One drawback is currently, I have a sail slug about 3 inches below the forward reefing cringle and have to manually remove the sail stop, slide the bottom sail slug down below the sail track opening, then re-insert the sail stop above the bottom slug. Has anyone developed a single line reefing system on the H-26 or similar "sister" models. A description and possible a photo your sytem would be very helpful. Thanks, BrianW

 

[HAL]

Single line

Single line from clew to aft end of boom ,out forward end, down to small sheave in fiddle block at base of mast, up to block on tack cringle, down to block hooked to mast forward and slightly down from rams horn, down to larger block in fiddle at mast base, then back to cockpit. The block at the mast rams horn takes some experimentation to assure that when set, the line pulls the foot straight forward and the luff straight down. I tied it on temporarily through the goose neck and around the front of the mast to the side I wanted it on. Still using it that way. Use large blocks for low friction. Did this on late model 260.Mast bases vary in ease of adding additional blocks. I am sure something can be worked out because it works great when set up. No leaving the cockpit and fast.

 

[BrianW]

Followup Question: Bottom Sail Slug

Thanks for the great info HAL. I have a follow-up question. I currently have a sail slug 3 inches below the forward reef cringle that I currently have to mutz around with when manually setting the foreward cringle. For the single line system, do I simply permanently remove that lower sail slug with the 1st slug above the 1st reefing cringle? Thanks, BrainW

 

[ruedi ross]

on my 260 with Zspar

I rethreaded a longer reefing line from the back of the boom thru the boom and exited the boom on the top side instead of the bottom thru the jam cleat. Then up to a block at the reef cringle and back down to the deck and thru the deck organizer to the cockpit. I just let the sail slugs stack up on the stop. As hal said, works great, never leave the cockpit and takes about 10 seconds to reef.

 

[George]

Single Line Reefing

This subject comes up from time to time. Maybe someone who has done this mod could post some pics with narrative on the H26 or H260 knowledgebase?Go to:http://kb.sailboatowners.com/brand?model=20

 

[HAL]

SAIL SLUGS

My mast is a U.S. spars. Sail slugs just stack up. Exit holes on top will shorten line and reduce friction and simplify. I didn’t try them because I was worried about getting proper tension between foot and luff and chafing. I may reroute.

 

[BrianW]

Z-Spar Boom - Top Exit Holes

My Z-Spar boom's forward end only has line exits on bottom thru jam cleats. On those who exit through top, did you modify the boom and add the exit holes on top? Thanks, BrianW

 

[gary]

"Jack" Line

Go to your sail loft and explain your problem. Ask them about installing a "jack" line on your sail. I had the same problem you describe, and the modification worked great.garyg

 

[HAL]

EXIT

My boom has factory holes on top. For now I have left it going down the way it was originally rigged. Extra line friction doesn’t seem to be a problem.