Reef Line 1 & 2

[galliob]

My wife and I purchased a Hunter Legend 35.5 boat just a few weeks ago. It is a much larger boat than we have owned in the past. Of course, it also comes with the Dutchman Flaking system which is new to us.

There are 2 lines led aft which are labeled as Reef 1 & 2. I am trying to figure out if they are linked to the Dutchman system or are part of a separate reefing system for the mainsail.

The boat is on the hard and therefore we have not rigged the sails yet, so I am still a bit uncertain on the whole Dutchman System. I have read other postings about it, and generally it seems to be a good thing when properly set up. Fortunately, we had new rigging run as well, so at least that part of it should be ready to go.

I'm hoping somebody can clear up my confusion before we launch her in a few weeks.

Thanks!

 

[walmsleyc]

The dutchman system is purely for facilitating the flaking of your main when you drop it.

The reef lines will be purely for putting in a first and second reef in your main. Those reefing lines can be run in a number of different ways (single line, leach only, etc.). You will have to study how these lines are run to determine what type of a system you have and how it works.

I have a Legend 35 (1987) and my reefing lines were setup as single line reefing, but I found too much friction, and added reefing hooks at the goosneck, and the reefing lines now only pull in the clews. Much easier.

Cheers
Chris

 

[Steve Dion]

You should be able to get some instructions on adjusting the Dutchman from the mfg. Once it is properly adjusted you may want to mark the lines so you do not need to go through the adjustment process each year.

I would also suggest that you order new lines from Dutchman so you start out with new lines. They can be a little trickey to adjust, but as far as I am concerned they are really superior to anything else on the market.

As mentioned, the Dutchman has nothing to do with the reefing. As a new sailor I suggest that you reef early as with most Hunters. Once you are hitting 12-15 kts, you need to think about the first reef. If it is blowin' before you leave the harbor, put in a reef. It is easier to take one out if you wind drops. It can be challenging to put a reef in as the wind is biuilding.

 

[captainpat]

If you have, or can get, a copy of the Hunter's Owner Manual you will find drawings of all of the rigging, the sizes and lengths of the lines and how they should be set up. I had a 1990 Legend 35.5 for about 10 years and as I remember the reefing set up is as follows. There are 2 pairs of pulleys inside the boom, 1 pair for each reefing line. Each reefing line is actually two lines. The forward one is dead ended (with a stopper knot) at the forward end of the boom then runs inside the boom, around the forward pulley of the pair, back out the forward boom then up to the reefing cringle, down through the eye welded to the mast at roughly boom height, then down to the turning block at the mast base, through the deck mounted line organizers and back to the sheet stoppers at the cabin top. The aft line is secured via stopper knot at the boom end, then run internally to the aft pulley of the pair, back out the boom end, up to the sail reefing cringle and back down to the boom where it can be secured to a stainless steel fitting on a sliding base on the underside of the boom. It is a system that is easy to use - in theory. Pull one line and the sail is reefed. In actual fact, as Steve said, there can be considerable friction and will require the use of your cabin top winches. I was able to eliminate some friction by replacing the boom's internal pulleys - no easy task. This is a long boom and there are a number of friction points in all of the Legend's running rigging. Steve's recommendation about reefing at the dock when possible is sound advice. It is much easier to shake an un-needed reef out then to put one in when conditions are getting interesting. As a side note, the previous owner of my boat left the 1st reef permanently installed. Not recommended but understandable. Good luck.

 

[Stretch]

Check your pullies inside the boom end to see if there is anything left, as the previous poster mentioned. Also the stock setup will have your reef line hanging in the cockpit when the main is doused and always needing to be stuffed in the sailcover, so try a new setup. It will also make the main easier to raise.

 

[Bill Roosa]

weed eater plastic replacement reels make dandy replacment dutchman line and are pretty cheap too. There are several diameters so bring a piece of the original to match up.

 

[galliob]

All, thanks for your helpful input. I think I understand and will take a long look at the system again this weekend.