How to run reefing lines thru the boom....

Jun 4, 2024
40
Hunter Legend 35.5 Charleston SC
Just wanted to post an update for future searchers... I was lucky enough to find the shuttle car at the back of the boom, inside, just lying there... We were able to use a fish tape to run the lines thru, the only tricky part was getting the fish tape around the correct pulley at the front of the boom. Took a few tries, but we got it. First we fished the forward reef line thru to the back of the boom, and attached the shuttle car, then fished it back to the front over the correct pulley. Then threaded the aft reef line thru the shuttle, and pulled it back into the boom with the forward reef line. All together it was probably close to two hours of fiddling, we work slow..... I guess that the former owner somehow broke the first reef line and it pulled out, and didn't know how to get new line back in.
One more project off the list.:cool::cool:
 

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Only one shuttle block? So, one reef?

Mine has two.
 

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Mine too, the second reef was already installed, just the first reef line was missing.
Ah, gotcha.

Mine was not rigged when I got it, and both shuttle blocks were gone. I was fortunate to find a pair for sail from a U.K. vendor, his last two! Then, 175' of Sta-Set later, I was in business!
 
Jul 19, 2013
388
Pearson 31-2 Boston
Ah, gotcha.

Mine was not rigged when I got it, and both shuttle blocks were gone. I was fortunate to find a pair for sail from a U.K. vendor, his last two! Then, 175' of Sta-Set later, I was in business!
I found it quite easy to replace the shuttle blocks on my P31-2 simply by removing the boom endcap, and then pulling the reefing lines back to access the blocks. The end cap on theeP31-2 is screwed in place, so easy to remove.

Unfortunately, several years ago no one was selling replacement shuttle blocks in the USA, so I had to end-to-end two single blocks.
 
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jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Unfortunately, several years ago no one was selling replacement shuttle blocks in the USA, so I had to end-to-end two single blocks.
Yes. I couldn't find those shuttle blocks anywhere in the U.S., but, as I said, was fortunate to find a U.K. retailer "closing them out," and got his last two at a good price. The shipping was remarkably fast. I thought it was odd that he reduced the price as it was his last two, but, good for me! I wonder why these are so rare. One would think there would be some demand.