I have a 1985 Catalina 30 tall rig, set up with jiffy (slab) reefing. The line that controls the reef clew runs forward along the boom to a figure 8 cleat, without running through any kind of stopper. I do a great deal of singlehanding, and I have found it difficult to tension this line enough so that the foot of the reefed sail is sufficiently flat (yes, the cheek block at the aft end of the mast is set sufficiently far back so as to provide a good angle of outhaul). I especially don't want to be spending so much time on deck getting it right. I've been considering adding a rope clutch or stopper device of some kind, as well as a small winch on the boom or mast, in hopes of making shorter and better work of this task. How do the rest of you handle this?
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Topping lift?
I find it helps to have my topping lift raised up above level before i start the reef. Otherwise, you are trying to lift the boom to the sail, and stretch the sail, with your low-purchase reefing line. with the boom lifted, the sail will be baggy with the foot tight, hence you dont have to stretch the sail out with the reef line.
I find it helps to have my topping lift raised up above level before i start the reef. Otherwise, you are trying to lift the boom to the sail, and stretch the sail, with your low-purchase reefing line. with the boom lifted, the sail will be baggy with the foot tight, hence you dont have to stretch the sail out with the reef line.
Use the mast halyard winch
If your Catalina 30 is like mine the main halyard is on the mast and you can use it to winch down the reef clew. You need a stopper for the halyard to free up the main halyard winch.
If your Catalina 30 is like mine the main halyard is on the mast and you can use it to winch down the reef clew. You need a stopper for the halyard to free up the main halyard winch.
Or - if you have your halyards led back -
to the cockpit like we do, you use your cabin top winch to crank in your reef line. We also have a Boomkicker that holds the boom up making it easier to set the reef (same idea that Brian mentions with his topping lift).
to the cockpit like we do, you use your cabin top winch to crank in your reef line. We also have a Boomkicker that holds the boom up making it easier to set the reef (same idea that Brian mentions with his topping lift).
I use Bill's system
Different boat but I have main halyard winch at mast. Take halyard off winch, cleat it off, then run clew reef line to winch, crank in foot tention,( jam cleat on reef line) cast off reef line from winch, halyard back on and crank up sail.
Different boat but I have main halyard winch at mast. Take halyard off winch, cleat it off, then run clew reef line to winch, crank in foot tention,( jam cleat on reef line) cast off reef line from winch, halyard back on and crank up sail.
Holding the clew down
Does anyone use an outhaul car system akin to a traveler, and if so, do you use this for your reef line as well? I find when reefing, my only option is to pull the foot totally tight, else the boom drops below the mainsail. I can't get any outhaul control when reefed. sort of related so i figured I'd throw it out there!
Does anyone use an outhaul car system akin to a traveler, and if so, do you use this for your reef line as well? I find when reefing, my only option is to pull the foot totally tight, else the boom drops below the mainsail. I can't get any outhaul control when reefed. sort of related so i figured I'd throw it out there!
Right - winch reef on tight so no slack at all.
You don't want any outhaul control when reefed. You want the main flat.
You don't want any outhaul control when reefed. You want the main flat.
Boom cars
I've seen a cheek block that mounts on a track like a jib sheet lead car. It is mounted on the boom and allows you to adjust the angle the clew reef line makes with the boom. I'm not sure this would be at all handy as when you reef you have already determined the wind is up and you are looking for a flatter sail. The reef clew would then only need to be in one location. It could be used to account for a saggy sail or the use of a second main.
I've seen a cheek block that mounts on a track like a jib sheet lead car. It is mounted on the boom and allows you to adjust the angle the clew reef line makes with the boom. I'm not sure this would be at all handy as when you reef you have already determined the wind is up and you are looking for a flatter sail. The reef clew would then only need to be in one location. It could be used to account for a saggy sail or the use of a second main.
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