Reef barriers

[Capn Bill]

Reef BEFORE you sail!

When I know I'm going out in blustery conditions - I always reef my main before I go out. Bill on STARGAZER

 

[TimCup]

There was a quote in this month's sail:

Sailing is 99% boredom, and 1% sheer terror. Wouldn't reefing take away that last percentage?!?

I hate too, but can reef ina "jiffy".

cup

 

[Paul J. Rusyniak]

Sailing is 99% boredom, and 1% sheer terror.

I cannot accept that as a truism, at least not for me.
If it were true, I'd find something else to do!!!
Paul

 

[gary bridges]

Under duress

I like to take my wife with me. She likes the boat to sail nice and comfortable. Her idea of comfortable is her drink not sliding around. I reef quickly and often and she stays comfortable and writes checks for new toys on the boat. If the wind is up I will reef immediately and then let it out if necessary.

 

[TimCup]

Paul, I agree it's not boredom-

but I'm not sure that 1% terror isn't accurate!!

cup

 

[Paul J. Rusyniak]

Tim...

I'll certainly fess up to being frightened a goodly number of times!!!
Paul

 

[jrpla]

You reef to go faster

Reefing is part of your sailing trimming.

I windy conditions you will faster if you trim your main, not true for the headsail but less main will help you helm less and this will cause to sail faster and in control.

The 1% terror will be there always, I won't call it terror, is more adrenaline and it should be more than 1% many times.

 

[Stan Town]

reefing

Reefing SB simple.. I have 3 reefs in the Main ALL leading back to the cabin top.. right next to the Main hallard.. 1st reef is flatening ~12" up the second is a conventional slab and the 3rd for ease has blocks sewen to the main..for 2 & 3 slack main sheet, pull in clew, slack hallard and set tack..reset main sheet..one person easy in easy out ALL from the cockpit

 

[Anitabreak II]

Reefing IS GOOD

It only took one afternoon of excessive heeling and I got the message....If you think you need to reef, then you need to reef. I listen to the weather reports and reef before the "Wombat" backs out of the slip. I've been able to enjoy my boat much more this summer, putting in a reef also lets me sail in winds I would have never attempted last year.
Anita

 

[Rick A19476]

Reef often....

... and reef early, is an old adage and very true. Been there when I should have reefed earlier and it just wasn't fun.....

 

[CharlieCobra]

If it's up to 25 apparent, I reef the Genny because it's a laminate.

At 30 I reef the Main, furl the Genny and rig the Staysail. At 40 I put a second reef in the Main. If it's blowing 25+ before I leave, I reef at the dock.

 

[ITMaster]

I'm Real Comfortable Reefing When the Wind Picks Up

Especially when I'm out single handing the boat. wow, how I luv that IMF!

 

[shemandr]

I Like a reef

On my H356 I find it better to reef at about 15 kts. Its much easier on my wife and I, the boat is not overly strained, and you go as fast or faster with the boat flat and wind then you do with the boat excessively heeled. So for those of you don't reef, How do you sail upwind in a breeze?

 

[Breaking wind]

we reefed this weekend

and still got laid down...with just the main flying... pretty crazy gusts in MI this last weekend. we reef @ the dock if there is any indication of winds above 15kts, and underway we furl the genoa turn upwind (irons) and reef the main.

 

[saylers]

Reef

I too reef at the dock. My reefing rig is extremely easy to use so instead of putting strain on the boat, or being overpowered. .. I use NOAA to give the word. If it is at 15 or more .... I reef. If it is up to 23, I use the Genoa only, or get off the lake. When I am looking for some serious hiking and challenges, I get on the Laser II-Somehow challenging the wind on a small boat makes more sense to me. But, on a cruiser.. what sense is it to have a good margarita going to waste? Usually, my company are along for the ride and don't have much sailor in them. If they experience terror they may not come back. Going beyond 20 degrees means I am out of my comfort level on the 310.

 

[tkanzler]

The fastest I've ever sailed on my boat

was with the second reef in, and the headsail reefed in a bit. Balanced very well, no helm, fairly flat, and booming along. The main on the Hunter 340 is tall (P=44 ft, with 56 ft bridge clearance), and the boat initially tender, so it sails much better with the first reef in at 12-15 kts, and the second not far behind. All reefing is from the cockpit, by the way, and that's factory standard. Fine by me, as I single-hand quite a bit.

Why someone would hesitate to reef if it increases performance and/or comfort is beyond me.

 

[chinny]

It's the only way to go on the H34

When the wind increases beyond 15 knots I have to reef or the boat beomes too uncomfortable and hard to control. Once she starts to heel beyond 15 degree I start getting the evil-eye from my wife; the weather helm increases creating drag, and the boat slows down.
Usually if I tuck one reef in the mail and leave my 120% Genoa rolled out fully she sails well, flattens out and speeds up. Oh yeah, my wife returns to a smile again as well.
A good reef = a happy marriage!

Christian