Jiffy Reef on Hunter 280

[Tally Ho]

I just bought a 1996 H 280 that has a Jiffy Reef system. The PO does not have the 2nd reef point rigged, but I am not sure how to use the first reef point with the Jiffy Reef. There is a sheet in a rope clutch marked Reef #1, but I am not sure how to set the reef. Anyone know where I can get some instructions on the use of the Jiffy Reef system?

 

[Clark]

We have a 280 that is set up for slab reefing - one line controls the reef clew and the new "tack" is manually set using the rams horn and reef cringle on the mainsail luff. My procedure is to tighten the boom topping lift; drop the main halyard to a predetermined point; hook the luff reef cringle; tighten the "#1 Reef" line to the reef clew; ease the boom topping lift and sail on. I usually reef before completely raising the main though which eliminates a couple of steps.
Have you pulled on that line to see where it controls? It may be rigged similar to mine in that there is only one line in your organizer/clutch for each of the leech reef cringles.
If it is set up to control BOTH reef cringles (luff and leech); then you simply tighten the topping lift; drop your main halyard; tighten the single reef line; tighten your halyard; loosen your topping lift and you're done.

 

[RonRelyea]

Jiffy Reef on a 32 Vision

On the long shot that your 28 jiffy reef is similar to the one on the Vision 32 ... here's a diagram of that ....

 

[Tally Ho]

On the long shot that your 28 jiffy reef is similar to the one on the Vision 32 ... here's a diagram of that ....

Clark,
I think my set up looks very similar to the the sketch that RonRelyea provided. I see a hook on the mast, but there is also some sort of block there like shown in the diagram.

Ron - So when you are not reefing, do you have to do anything to loosen the reef lines? Or would they just normally be "loose" so you can raise the main?

I am hoping to get out to the marina this weenend and take a closer look at it.

Thank you both for the help.

 

[RonRelyea]

Greg ... I'm no expert on sail trim .. but the reef lines do need to be slack as to not interfere with raising the main ... When the main is fully raised - and you drop it - there will be slack in the jiffy reef lines .. I've seen some folks just leave the slack and furl it with the main, or you can draw in the slack in the jiffy reef lines, but then have to play it out when raising the main

 

[Tally Ho]

On the long shot that your 28 jiffy reef is similar to the one on the Vision 32 ... here's a diagram of that ....

Ron - We have been using the reef system for a month or 2 now, and it is quite simple once I understood what the lines do. Nice to be able to reef or shake out a reef right from the cockpit.

But I do have one question....the line on my "2nd" reef is shorter than the line on my "1st reef", which may explain why the PO did not have it hooked up (he removes the pulley from the attachment point on the sail).

Shouldn't the 2st reef line be the longer of the 2, since it attaches luch higher on the sail ?

 

[RonRelyea]

2nd reef

Ron - We have been using the reef system for a month or 2 now, and it is quite simple once I understood what the lines do. Nice to be able to reef or shake out a reef right from the cockpit.

But I do have one question....the line on my "2nd" reef is shorter than the line on my "1st reef", which may explain why the PO did not have it hooked up (he removes the pulley from the attachment point on the sail).

Shouldn't the 2st reef line be the longer of the 2, since it attaches luch higher on the sail ?

yes, the 2nd reef line should be long enough to make its way through the appropriate block back to the cockpit. What pulley did the PO remove??

 

[Tally Ho]

Reef Line too Short

yes, the 2nd reef line should be long enough to make its way through the appropriate block back to the cockpit. What pulley did the PO remove??

There is a pulley attached to the sail at the reef point on the near the luff. There is a ring on a reinforcement web sewn to the sail. When he is is not expecting to use the 2nd reef, he pulls the pulley off and hangs it on the ring on the mast.

When I replace some of the lines, I guess that one will have to be replaced to get one the right length. I don't think the 1st and 2nd reef lines are reversed, but I guess I should check that first. Just seems like a real pain to have to rethread the reef lines if they are reversed. The attachment points on the sail are opposite sides of the sail, so I can't just switch where they attach to the sail.