How to avoid backwind genoa when reef furling

[NorthStar]

Beneteau 423, roler fuling 140 Genoa with foam luff and in-mast furling Main sails with vertical battens. To shorten sails we go head to wind and reef the Genoa first, then reef the Main afer that. The problem is we often (every time) get the Genoa backwinded while trying to furl reef it. So we go to the new, unplanned tack to get some head way and try it again. Reefing the main is no problem head to wind. Is there some way to avoid backwinding the Genoa? My wife is normally at the helm and I pull the lines as strength and speed is needed on the lines in 15 to +20kt winds.

1) I was wondering if pulling the main traveler max to windward in preparation for going head to wind would help my wife avoid over shooting head to wind and backwinding the genoa as the boat slows down and the helm/rudder becomes less effective while reefing the Genoa? Would that help keep the boat just a bit windward of head to wind at low or zero headway?
2) Or should the main sail sheet be loosed?
3) Or should we just start the motor in preparation for shortening sails and power head to wind for this reefing drill?
Cheers
North Star

 

[Rick I]

In shortening sail on the genoa there is no need to go head to wind, just ease the sheet and haul on the furling line. If need be luff the sail. Reefing the main with in-mast furling can also be done without heading up unless it's really honking and you're going dead downwind with the sail nearly on the spreaders.

 

[Seattle Scott]

I find that going deep downwind to reef/furl the jib works best, less flogging when blanketed by the main sail and easy to roll up with the jib drawing very little.

 

[Stu Jackson]

No one size fits all, here

So much depends on the wind speed, and what it has built to, or, if you're preparing for more later, reefing sooner before it starts to honk.

We find it easier to furl or reef our jib when heading upwind, rather than downwind. Going downwind gives you less chance to "outrun" the wind, so you end up having the wind behind you and pushing the jib out further, just when you want to haul it in. F'rinstance: 15 knots of wind and you're sailing or motoring at 5 knots, DDW, then you have 10 knots on the sail, right? So, it's easier to "release" wind pressure on the jib by luffing up. If the wind is light and I'm planning to reef or furl, DDW will work. It all depends.

To answer your question about backwinding, just don't turn so far.

 

[NorthStar]

Very helpful and clear, thanks to all.
North Star

 

[Anchor Down]

BTW, moving the traveler to leeward, instead of windward, would help prevent an inexperienced helmsman from backing the headsail: the mail will flog (leading edge to the wind) but the bow will still be a couple of points off the wind.

 

[Don Guillette]

My furling system was a "no Name" system. There was no name anywhere on it and it was a very cheap setup. If there was any pressure at all on the system I could not furl the jib. The only way I could get it to work was come head to wind which relieved the pressure and made furling easy but I had to be quick about it.

If one goes past head to wind the jib will backwind.