How to reef the main

[Dave]

Hello all,I just purchased a 1988 28.5 with original sails. I don't know precisely how to reef the main and I would like to learn.Until now, my sailing experience has been limited to dinghies which did not have reef points on the sails. I bought the boat from someone who had never reefed the main, and he could not tell me how it should be done.As it stands, there are two lines exiting the boom at the aft end that are knotted and go nowhere. On the mast end, the remainder of the two knotted ropes are neatly hanging from the mast. I am guessing that these function as outhauls for the two reef points. If so, do I merely tie these ropes at the leech grommets or do I snake it horizontally through all of the grommets of a given reef point? How about securing the luff? Do I hook the grommet on the luff side to the rams horn?Any advice would be much appreciated.Dave

 

[Eric on S/V Troon]

You're on the right track......

The grommet on the luff hooks on the Rams horn hook.........then, pull one of the lines out the aft end of the boom and thread through the grommet in the leech and back down to the boom. Sometimes there is a block or other fitting to assist in tying down the line. If not, just wrap around the end of the boom and tie it off. Then pull on the same line at the mast end of the boom until the leech is both down and aft. If you have a winch on the mast, you can use it for more leverage. Usually, there is a couple more tie downs midway between the luff and leech that can be tied under the boom to help with sail shape. That's pretty much it...... Good luck and Happy sailing.