Mainsalil Reefing

[b.nelson]

We have the standard single line reefing that is hard to winch in tight. Has anyone installed blocks in the sail with soft shackles to reduce the friction in the reefing lines?
What did you use and are you happy with the expense and results?

 

[dziedzicmj]

I would not expect that much friction at the cringles. It is more likely that the problem is in the blocks that you are running the line through (the blocks at the foot of the mast and in the boom). Before you go any further, make sure that they work fine.
Mine is a smaller boat, but I can pull most of the reefing line by hand; only the last foot or so requires any winching.

 

[Alansails]

We use the standard single line reefing as shown in the manual, we have no problem reefing and no friction, of course we sail in fresh water. Do You have a copy of the manual?

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

We added blocks to the front cringles. Helped a little but the sail doesn't pull as tight and I might remove them. As others have said I think the problem is in the boom at the blocks you can't inspect and clean as easy. I might replace these with ball bearing blocks.

 

[valcour]

I used some harken blocks and it makes it much easier to tuck in the reef. Don't recall the exact cost, but certainly worth the effort. After these pictures were taken I subsequently removed the blocks and retied them to a small stainless ring on the opposite side of the sail from the block through the cringe , which makes it much more flexible and the reef line leads much better,


.

 

[marchem]

Most riggers and sailmakers I've talked to say the single line reefing never works all that well. Certainly convenient, but poor performance compared to hooking the new tack to a solid point... JTSO.