Hi all, I am finally getting around to adding the reef line on my 1987 H23 (Z-Spar rig). So, I run a line (diameter/length?)through the boom and THEN what do I do with it? When I am NOT reefed, where does this line live? Do I run it through the reef point on the trailing edge (luff?) of the sail? Or do I make it off to the after end of the boom somehow? Rams head? I have/had one, but am unsure as to how it attaches. Ideers appreciated. TIA Richard H23 "Invictus"
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Jacktar
Reefing a 216
Commiserating with you, Richard. Never had to reef our 216 and may just not go out on our inland lake if conditions dictate. Still would like to know how,tho. Anybody have ideas? Jacktar
Commiserating with you, Richard. Never had to reef our 216 and may just not go out on our inland lake if conditions dictate. Still would like to know how,tho. Anybody have ideas? Jacktar
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Bill O'Donovan
Ideers
The front of the sail should already have a grommet to loop into a gooseneck at the boom. So the only thing left is the other end. A 3/8-inch line should go up from the back of the boom, through the rear grommet, and back down and tied off at the boom. It's that simple. Forget going in and out of the boom. After both reefs are fixed, then you can tie off the two or three lines in the middle. When not reefing, the slack is lifted into the air in an elegant V. When the sail is completely down, just wind it around the boom. To get a view of this, ask anyone on your dock to walk you through it.
The front of the sail should already have a grommet to loop into a gooseneck at the boom. So the only thing left is the other end. A 3/8-inch line should go up from the back of the boom, through the rear grommet, and back down and tied off at the boom. It's that simple. Forget going in and out of the boom. After both reefs are fixed, then you can tie off the two or three lines in the middle. When not reefing, the slack is lifted into the air in an elegant V. When the sail is completely down, just wind it around the boom. To get a view of this, ask anyone on your dock to walk you through it.
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Richard
ram's head
Thanks Bill, Another question: How, exactly, should the ram's head (that I STILL need to find!) attach?? Richard H23 "Invictus"
Thanks Bill, Another question: How, exactly, should the ram's head (that I STILL need to find!) attach?? Richard H23 "Invictus"
Ram's horn - for Richard
The ram's horn is a steel hook that looks like...a ram's horns. It goes through a hole on top of the boom casting right at the gooseneck. When properly installed, the ends should point down. Although it's not easy to do, the ram's horn can fall out, which could explain why you don't have one. When reefing the sail, lower the halyard until the grommet at the front of the sail (the "tack cringle") can be slipped over the ram's horn. Then tighten the reefing line, cleat it and raise the mainsail. The loose folds of sailcan then be secured to the boom with reef knots through the smalled cringles along the (reefed) foot of the sail. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
The ram's horn is a steel hook that looks like...a ram's horns. It goes through a hole on top of the boom casting right at the gooseneck. When properly installed, the ends should point down. Although it's not easy to do, the ram's horn can fall out, which could explain why you don't have one. When reefing the sail, lower the halyard until the grommet at the front of the sail (the "tack cringle") can be slipped over the ram's horn. Then tighten the reefing line, cleat it and raise the mainsail. The loose folds of sailcan then be secured to the boom with reef knots through the smalled cringles along the (reefed) foot of the sail. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Jim
Boom question
Is there an easy way to thread a line through the boom if there is not a line there already?
Is there an easy way to thread a line through the boom if there is not a line there already?
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Richard
yes, Jim
If the boom is off, it is easier. I tried like heck!! to thread a weighted string through and use our freind, Mr. Gravity. After an hour and a call from the local sub base to: "... tone down the language, you're offending our sailors!" I quit. I then went to the hardware store, bought 12 feel of 1/8 inch stainless steel cable, and threaded both slots in about 4 minutes (taped on a nylon line as a messanger). Learn from MY mistakes! Richard H23 "Invictus"
If the boom is off, it is easier. I tried like heck!! to thread a weighted string through and use our freind, Mr. Gravity. After an hour and a call from the local sub base to: "... tone down the language, you're offending our sailors!" I quit. I then went to the hardware store, bought 12 feel of 1/8 inch stainless steel cable, and threaded both slots in about 4 minutes (taped on a nylon line as a messanger). Learn from MY mistakes! Richard H23 "Invictus"
Electricians fish also works
I got a 50 ft wire fish at Home Depot for about $20. It will run a line through the mast in about five minutes, even less for the boom. Peter H23 "Raven"
I got a 50 ft wire fish at Home Depot for about $20. It will run a line through the mast in about five minutes, even less for the boom. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Jim
Thank you for the help
Thank you Peter and Richard for the help. I didn't get to it this weekend, working on my 5hp Nissan, that is another issue altogether. I will run the line this week. I will send a note and let you know how it goes. Jim H23
Thank you Peter and Richard for the help. I didn't get to it this weekend, working on my 5hp Nissan, that is another issue altogether. I will run the line this week. I will send a note and let you know how it goes. Jim H23
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Jim
Done, thank you
It took me about 10 minutes once I had it set up. I did have to take the boom off and use a 12 dollar fish tape I got at Lowes. It was so easy I may rewire my mast after the season (that will be a different string). Thank you again for the help. Jim
It took me about 10 minutes once I had it set up. I did have to take the boom off and use a 12 dollar fish tape I got at Lowes. It was so easy I may rewire my mast after the season (that will be a different string). Thank you again for the help. Jim
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Vernon Kinslow
Pulling wire or cable
As most masts and booms are not steel, try this. Get a three or four foot length of steel electric switch chain. The kind you see hanging from your ceiling fan. And a magnet. If you can, get one small enough to go through the hole you are bringing the cable or line to. Attach the steel chain to a heaavy string, drop it down the mast or boom while tipped up with the receiving end lowest. Where the magnet is sticking through the hole, the chain wiil go straight to the magnet like a homesick angle.
As most masts and booms are not steel, try this. Get a three or four foot length of steel electric switch chain. The kind you see hanging from your ceiling fan. And a magnet. If you can, get one small enough to go through the hole you are bringing the cable or line to. Attach the steel chain to a heaavy string, drop it down the mast or boom while tipped up with the receiving end lowest. Where the magnet is sticking through the hole, the chain wiil go straight to the magnet like a homesick angle.
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