how do i reef? what kind of knot.

[Steven de Filippis]

i have a 85 H23, i have i reef built into my main. i have never learned how to tie in a reef, i have 3 sets of line that hang off my main on both sides at the reef point, they are about a foot in length. i obviously know that i tie the two lines to each other around the boom, my question was what kind of knot should i use?

 

[Bob Howie]

Loose Square

I used to use a loose square knot -- not fully cinched -- and that would usually hold pretty well since it was 3-laid line.Now, I use a quick-tie line that uses a jam-cleat looking thing and works pretty well, too.

 

[Bruce Hill]

Not around the boom

A properly tied reef is around the sail only, the reefing ties are tied above the boom.