Reefing a Furling Main on a Newer H33

[Nodak7]

I have a 2009 H33 with a furling main. Hunter states that they designed this rig with a big powerful main and a smaller jib. My first question: If this is the case if I am sailing under full sail and the wind comes up do I pull down the Jib first and then begin to roll in the main?

My second question: I have a couple of sail trim references but none of them actually deals with a Furling Main. My calculations show that if I roll in my main by 16" then I have "reefed" my main by 16.5% (or to 83.5%). Is this equivalent to a single or double reef?

The basis for my calculations
I=37'5"
P=40'11-3/4"

Any suggestions?

 

[Don12364]

See Neil Pryde's advice for a Beneteau with vertical battened furling main. P4 et seq.
30/35% for first reef and 65/75% for second.

http://www.neilprydesails.com/pdfs/b43 tuning guide.pdf

 

[Nodak7]

Donalex....thank you for this excellent site!!! It answers all my questions!

 

[Alan]

You should try it both ways and see which feels better. I suspect that reefing the main would be your better first option. Leaving the jib in place would help to keep the sail plan in balance.

 

[seadaddler]

Reefing

I leave the jib just as is and than reefing the main.
Nick

 

[Nodak7]

Re: Reefing

Seadaddler, how far do you roll up the main before you start on the Jib?

 

[Scott B]

Approaching 15 knots I start rolling in the main first. Not sure I have an exact measurement, just rolll until it looks 1/3 less. I've had both main and jib furled and still doing 6 - 6.5 knots. I think at that point I was on second reef on main, then rolled in the jib. Played with the jib a little until it set right.


Just read the NP link. That's roughly where I go to for the first and second reefs.

 

[Alan]

Here's where a dedicated #3 headsail becomes a real factor. Evading changing sails can only go so far. The loss of sail aerodynamics in a rolled headsail becomes a significant factor as the wind speed rises. You can only avoid the sail change for so long but the gain in changing to a smaller headsail is very significant. 'Push button' sailing has its limits.

 

[seadaddler]

Nodak7

I do not touch the jib I reef in the main until it feels good so I am under control with out too much work.
Nick

 

[Nodak7]

Re: Nodak7

Here is a link to some calculations I did regarding "reefing" the Mainsail on an H33. I did it up to 50% of the sail. I was surprised how much sail gets rolled in the first 12" of furling. I can't guarantee the calculations are correct but I think they are close. I checked with UK to see if they had a document similar to NP and they said it was a good idea but had not done it. Hopefully they will. I know that "furling sails" are contrary to the purists but it sure makes it nice for us "older" sailors that are not into racing but would like to maximize performance for the equipment they have.

https://acrobat.com/#d=0SFXXrA1jPaqmansjsQPrg