Reef Hook ?

[Ed P.]

Can anyone tell me if the tack pin on the mainsail is intended to be used as a hook when reefing. Due to the shape and size of it, I would assume this to be the case, because it would eliminate the need for a line to secure the new reef tack.

 

[mg]

reef

you can put the reef tack in the gooseneck if you want allthough i find it dificult and have the sail hanging out too much . i just used a line through the second tack and took up the slack however this didnt allow the boom to move to the appropiate position( if you use the cleats onthe mast). i have a hook too. what i do now is take a wrap through the tack and cleat on the boom allowing the boom to ride up as i adjust the height of the reefed main then use the downhaul to provide luff tension as the main i have has no provision for a cunningham . hope this helps.

 

[Aldo]

I don't think so

Ed: I don't think so, even if yours points down toward the deck when it is tightened in, I wouldn't trust it. After all, if you are reefing, you want to know where your sail is going to be. To reef,I unscrew the pin, lower the sail, put the pin through the reefing grommet, and then roll up the excess sail and tie all of it to the boom. I do put a reef line at the gooseneck too. (This is difficult to write about). Aldo

 

[B.J.]

Whew! Too much work.

EdGo to a good hardware store and buy a stainless bolt with the same threads as the tack pin and with a shoulder as long as the straight-unthreaded portion of the pin PLUS 1/4". Cut the threaded portion to the same length as that of the pin. The bolt will be used to replace the pin so you need the shoulder length to prevent damaging the tack cringle. Get/order a reefing hook or "ram's horn" from West Marine or supplier of your choice. Remove the tack pin, leaving the tack cringle in place. Slip the hook onto the newly manufactured bolt and run it into the gooseneck and through the tack cringle. Snug it up. Now when you reef all you have to do is drop the sail till the reef cringle lines up with the hook, hook it up, haul the halyard and cleat it off. No more unscrewing anything. Couple of things that will make it easier still would be to(1) mark your halyard(possibly at the cleat) with a marker when the hook and cringle line up so that you can drop the sail to that point quickly each time and (2) make yourself a set of mast gates so that you don't have to mess with the track stop each time.I'm assuming that you have the clew reef point under control. Go to West Marine's website and do a search for "Reef-LOK" for a picture of the reef hook.Hope this helpsB.J.