Last time I reefed the mainsail, I jammed the reefing line and had to take out the stopper knot to unjam it. Of course I forgot to put the stopper knot back in so the next time I sailed, the reefing line came out the end of the boom. How do I thread it back thro the boom to the mast? I sail a Hunter 34 (1986). I've only had it for 3 weeks now so am unfamiliar with everything.
How to thread reefing line thro boom
- Thread starter Sailoff
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A Possibility
If your Hunter is similar to my H310 with two reefs through the boom and you still have one in place you should be able to use the remaing line as a messenger. Worth a try before removing and drilling the boom. I have never done this but would try first.
If your Hunter is similar to my H310 with two reefs through the boom and you still have one in place you should be able to use the remaing line as a messenger. Worth a try before removing and drilling the boom. I have never done this but would try first.
Been there...
I had a passenger untie my reefing line from the boom while I was flaking the sale one day. He thought it was used to tie the sail to the boom. On the next trip out I untied it from around the sail thinking it was just another one of the pieces of line I use for that purpose. I didn't notice it slip into the flakes as I was moving towards the mast and removing sail ties. When I hoisted the main it slipped through the boom and I found myself right where you are, there was plenty of cursing and some wailing and gnashing of teeth. Fortunately I didn't have to drill out any rivets but I did have to take the boom off the goose neck and remove the ends. I stood it on end and dropped a light messenger line with a hex bolt on it through the boom. I threaded the messenger through the boom ends and reattached them to the boom. I used the messenger to pull a new reefing line back through the boom. Pain in the tail but it was about time to replace the reefing line anyhow. Took about a half hour, I guess it could have been worse.
BTW: Very nice boat. An old friend of mine has an '84 Hunter 34 on Leech Lake up here in Minnesota. Wish it was mine! Still a nice looking boat and faster than most. Enjoy it!
I had a passenger untie my reefing line from the boom while I was flaking the sale one day. He thought it was used to tie the sail to the boom. On the next trip out I untied it from around the sail thinking it was just another one of the pieces of line I use for that purpose. I didn't notice it slip into the flakes as I was moving towards the mast and removing sail ties. When I hoisted the main it slipped through the boom and I found myself right where you are, there was plenty of cursing and some wailing and gnashing of teeth. Fortunately I didn't have to drill out any rivets but I did have to take the boom off the goose neck and remove the ends. I stood it on end and dropped a light messenger line with a hex bolt on it through the boom. I threaded the messenger through the boom ends and reattached them to the boom. I used the messenger to pull a new reefing line back through the boom. Pain in the tail but it was about time to replace the reefing line anyhow. Took about a half hour, I guess it could have been worse.
BTW: Very nice boat. An old friend of mine has an '84 Hunter 34 on Leech Lake up here in Minnesota. Wish it was mine! Still a nice looking boat and faster than most. Enjoy it!
Threading Reef Line on H-34
If you have a boatyard nearby, ask them for a bit of discarded lifeline.. You can usually find some (you’ll need about 15 feet) without “meat hooks” in it. Use it to push from the mast end, through the cam stopper and out the aft end. Attach the reefing line to the end of the piece of lifeline with tape and pull it back through ..
If you have a boatyard nearby, ask them for a bit of discarded lifeline.. You can usually find some (you’ll need about 15 feet) without “meat hooks” in it. Use it to push from the mast end, through the cam stopper and out the aft end. Attach the reefing line to the end of the piece of lifeline with tape and pull it back through ..
battens
I was able to tape a couple of battens together and slide them through the boom, then use the battens to pull a messenger line back through. Using the existing reefing line as a messenger didn't work well because everything got tangled up on the mainsheet and outhaul tackle in the middle. This is on a 356. Yours may be different.
BTW, the reefing line provided as original equipment was very poor quality, and popped after weakening from sun damage. I'm glad I replaced it.
I was able to tape a couple of battens together and slide them through the boom, then use the battens to pull a messenger line back through. Using the existing reefing line as a messenger didn't work well because everything got tangled up on the mainsheet and outhaul tackle in the middle. This is on a 356. Yours may be different.
BTW, the reefing line provided as original equipment was very poor quality, and popped after weakening from sun damage. I'm glad I replaced it.
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