H-34: When to deep reef

YVRguy

YVRguy

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Jan 10, 2013
479
Hunter 34 Vancouver, BC
So, I need to cross the Georgia Strait today and the forecast is for 20kt winds. I'm curious about the reefing practices for other H34 owners (the 34 is a little tender). I'm flying a 110 jib. At what wind speed do you typically think of reefing? Do you ever use the 2nd (deep) reef? And when?

This is not so much advice for my crossing but just general interest. For example, is there any advantage to reefing earlier vs using a full main and letting it out quite a bit?

Thanks
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

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Nov 6, 2006
10,116
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
I used to race with a skipper who would not reef until she saw "..fishes in the windows"! The 34 needs reefing before that !
I don't note wind speeds but at/around a sustained 20, one reef and a little area reduction on the jib should be perfect.. I have a roller reefing (as opposed to roller furling) 110, so it can be adjusted..I have had to use the second reef in the main only a couple of times in my 24 years of sailing this boat.
 
YVRguy

YVRguy

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Jan 10, 2013
479
Hunter 34 Vancouver, BC
kloudie1 said:
I used to race with a skipper who would not reef until she saw "..fishes in the windows"! The 34 needs reefing before that !
I don't note wind speeds but at/around a sustained 20, one reef and a little area reduction on the jib should be perfect.. I have a roller reefing (as opposed to roller furling) 110, so it can be adjusted..I have had to use the second reef in the main only a couple of times in my 24 years of sailing this boat.
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Hmmm.. Roller Reefing... That's one I'll have to look up. Sounds interesting
 
M

markwbird

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Nov 26, 2012
1,654
C&C 40-2 Berkeley
Reefing the H-34

If you are thinking about reefing then you should reef. Ever heard that before? I actually had my mainsail made so that there is no first reef point, only the 2nd and third. SF Bay is a windy place. I would go to the 2nd reef point. You will not loose any speed in that much wind and the boat will handle better. Why make it harder than is has to be when there really is nothing to be gained?
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,093
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Doug, put the second reef in first, then shake it out if you can. That's just prudent seamanship.

As you & kloudie mentioned, your 34s are more tender than mine, but I've used the second reef on my main (admittedly only twice in 17 years!:)).

I sail with an 85% jib during heavy summer winds and a 110% during the lighter winds of winter. I also used the 110 when I was doing summer racing (and lived!:)).

The 110 should do for you.

Our ProFurl and some others allow roller reefing in addition to furling, but I never reef my jib(s). Ever. I choose the right arrow for the quiver.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,093
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
YVRguy said:
...... For example, is there any advantage to reefing earlier vs using a full main and letting it out quite a bit?
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That's called a fisherman's reef. Not always good for the sail material but can be used when overpowered for short periods.

Mark's right.
 
YVRguy

YVRguy

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Jan 10, 2013
479
Hunter 34 Vancouver, BC
Stu Jackson said:
That's called a fisherman's reef. Not always good for the sail material but can be used when overpowered for short periods.

Mark's right.
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Interesting... Never heard that term before - or that it is harder on the sail. Thanks!

Part of this is driven by the fact that I'm single-handing today and more often in general. So I'm a little more reluctant to go forward to shake out a reef than I am with another person aboard. Embarrassed to say that I still haven't invested in a jack line and harness. :redface:
 
M

markwbird

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Nov 26, 2012
1,654
C&C 40-2 Berkeley
reefing headsail

I rarely reef the headsail (roll it up partially). It kinda sucks that way. Especially close hauled. What I prefer is to move the cars back to flatten the foot and add twist up high. The thing about the 34 is weather helm. Reefing the main does a lot for that so you should be OK with the full 110 which is what I have. To be honest, she'll scoot along just fine with no main at all in 20 knots.
 
YVRguy

YVRguy

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Jan 10, 2013
479
Hunter 34 Vancouver, BC
Thanks all, for your thoughts on reefing and sail plans for the H-34. Perhaps inevitably, the weather that inspired the discussion completely fizzled. Environment Canada posted strong wind warnings first thing in the morning but when I crossed the strait at noon I could barely make 5kts. By half way across I was motoring in almost dead calm. Sigh....

Great advice for next time
 
D

Don Lucas

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Jan 12, 2011
930
Hunter 410 full time cruiser
I kind of laugh at reefing "talk" because it seems that when the wind is up I'm the only boat reefed and I'm still sailing fast at 15-20 degrees heel. So it always seems to me that mostly people ignore reefing advise.
 
kappykaplan

kappykaplan

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May 1, 2011
5,108
Pearson 37 Lusby MD
Same here . . .

Don Lucas said:
I kind of laugh at reefing "talk" because it seems that when the wind is up I'm the only boat reefed and I'm still sailing fast at 15-20 degrees heel. So it always seems to me that mostly people ignore reefing advise.
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Seems like that's always the case down here. I've spanked a couple of boats that were overpowered (two boats, it's a race!).
 
C

Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Don, Kappy: Your real sailors! I love the responses from sailors who understand that rail in the water doesn't necessarily mean fast! Guys, that hull shape really sucks when your rolled out there huh? Chief
 
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