reefing, 2

[doug miller]

previous post wasn't supposed to be titled reefing.this one was.never had a main sail with reef points before.wind on my inland lake was probably about 6-10, only occassional white cap. the boat was heeled over pretty far, but nowhere near heading up. and very little weather helm. that's another topic.having never reefed before, i thought i'd give it a try. it really settled the boat down, heeled a lot less. and according to the handheld gps i had with me, the speed seemed to be about the same.question is: what wind velocity do you reef?thanksdoug

 

[carlylebob]

Around 8knots on a H240 waterballast model

It is a farily tender boat that is main driven. Reefing makes a world of different. If you own a 240, "reef early, reef often"

 

[Corky]

sail tocomfort

I sail a 260but it is very similiar to the 240.Sail to make it comfortable. Your speed will not increase with more heel. We are comfortable with 30 degrees of heel at times but then gusts will send you to 45(off the inclinometer) and that is not fun. 15 degrees is best so have reserve if get a gust. This last weekend while in 15+mph with reefed mail and full jib we got hit with an un seen gust and e went to 45+. The concern was loosing things off the boat that were not tied down. so take it easy and enjoy. Even the 45 foot keeled boats I have chartered 20 or so degrees is the most fun and that is what this is all about.ct

 

[Frank Ladd]

Depnds on point of sail

We reef when the minimum heeling angle is 15 degrees. We'll let gusts take us over more , but when the minimum is 15 then we reef. Up wind this is about 10 to 15 knots, downwinds this is more like 20 knots or more. If it is a long passage or we're cooking or someone is trying to sleep, then I reef earlier as it settles the boat's motion.