Our drill
Some questions for you: How many reefs does your h33 main have? Are the reef lines rigged through their eyes at the aft end of the reef? Ours are rigged as follows: bowline around the boom; up through the eye on the leech of the sail; down to a pulley at the aft end of the boom; through the boom and out near the mast where a jam cleat can hold it. There are two such lines, rigged on opposite sides of the main, one for each reef. Our procedure for reefing underway is: Heave to. This puts the boat in a quiet, stable stall off the wind. Ease out the main halyard. At the luff end of the reef is a cringle - a stainless eye close to the edge of the sail. I pull this down until it fits over the "rams horn" - a hook designed for this purpose that is part of the gooseneck assembly that holds the tack of the main. Haul up on the halyard to tension the luff. Then I pull on the reefing line rigged through the leech for the chosen reef. This pulls the aft end of the reef down to the boom as tight as possible. (My instructor said pull until your eyes fall out!) Now the main is ready to sail. But we tidy up the reef by rolling the extra fabric, and _loosely_ securing it with the reef ties using reef knots (bow ties with one loop for quick untying when necessary.) The eye that holds these lines is not designed to take any real strain - that's why you will rip the main if you tightened it like the aft reef line. That's it. Tidy up the reef lines, get back in the cockpit, and get underway. The whole exercise takes us about 5 minutes. It's a really good idea to practice in light air, in a safe location. This is an easy drill if the Admiral and I know what we are doing. The other key is that if you think of reefing, it's time to do it. It's easy to "shake out" a reef (reversing the process above). Much easier than reefing when the wind has accelerated to gale force, and the waves are building. Because it is so easy to shake out a reef, we often put the first reef in at the dock if the wind conditions warrant. That way, we are relaxed, and in the best conditions. Timely (read early) reefing is the mark of good seamanship. Consistent heeling beyond 15 degrees means its time. Our sailboats will perform best if kept "on their feet" with a heel under 15 degrees - that means they are faster with a reef than wallowing with a rail under. A boat in this range is safer, and the Admiral (on Lady Lillie anyway) is happpier. The 33 is a great "big sister" for our h27 - enjoy her! David Lady Lillie '77 h27
