Reef Line Recommendations

[Phil]

My jiffy reef lines are starting to get fairly chaffed due to regular use. I've never been happy with them due to the level of friction. Can't remember the specific line from New England Ropes, but they were mid range in price.

Post what you have and what you think of them from a friction and ease of use perspective. Thanks!

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

Install ball bearing blocks onto the sail at the reef points. No chafe and low resistance. A sailmaker can modify the sail if necessary.

 

[colemj]

Like Larry said, ball bearing blocks at the reef points make a huge difference, particularly if you have single reefing lines, or lines that run back to the cockpit. Second to that would be friction rings used with bare dyneema. The worst possible configuration for friction and chafe is dacron line through grommets in the sail.

Smaller boats can get away with more friction than larger ones. We use dyneema lines through ball bearing blocks, as we have a large full batten huge roach and elliptical head sail.

Mark

 

[Hayden Watson]

I made my own bearing blocks for my reefs. I used a Carbo 40 and tied a soft shackle that connects to a welded SS ring on the far side of the cringle. I use 3/8" StaSet because it is cheap and has good hand.

 

[jssailem]

I use slab reefing, a single Dacron (polyester) double braided line through grommets. Non or minimized friction because I ease and lower the sail before I tension the sail to the reef. I use a reef hook on the boom/gooseneck. Process is quick and simple. Running rigging still in good condition now at 8 years in use and exposed to the elements.

 

[Ward H]

I copied Hayden's idea. Really improves the reefing process if your rigged back to the cockpit.

 

[Phil]

A while back I copied Hayden's approach, but didn't get a chance to install the blocks and rings until yesterday. It greatly improves reef line handling while raising or lowering the sail and while reefing.

 

[Hayden Watson]

A while back I copied Hayden's approach, but didn't get a chance to install the blocks and rings until yesterday. It greatly improves reef line handling while raising or lowering the sail and while reefing.

Glad to be of help. Going to single line reefing with ball bearing blocks has been game changing for us. Now I do not get it a second thought to put in a reef. On a recent solo crossing of the Strait of Juan d Fuca in wind ranging from 10-22 knots and reefed and shook out the reef 3 times to stay comfortable and fast. When it is easy, you do it much more often rather than "making do".

 

[Hayden Watson]

This is a short YouTube video I made of putting in my single line reef.
Disclaimer, it is rather slow, and I was huffing and puffing because the cameraman forgot to press the record button the first two times I did it. This is the last of three reefs I put in and shook out in about 5-minuts.

I also forgot to lock the reef clutch so in the final scene, the clew is starting to slip out of position.