Reefing hook or cunningham

[Dave Z.]

I have a nice Northsail main on my Cat 27, with 2 reef points. Prev owner used a cunningham to reef the main. Is this a typical approach, or would it be simple to rig a reefing hook to put the clew on the luff through? (the reefing clews on the leech have lines run through them for securing them).I assume you don't need a cunningham (using it as a downhaul) as you'd luff the main before reefing.TIADave Zeryck"Evergreen"Portland, OR

 

[Jax]

Get a Clew!

(Just kidding!), however the clew is the lower aft corner of the sail (the head is the top corner, and the tack is the lower fore corner). The big grommet holes on the luff and leech of the sail used for reefing are "cringles".Anyway, I think that a reefing hook attached to the gooseneck would be more secure. However, people do use the cunningham.Good luck

 

[Bob Camarena]

Hook

The hook is quick and solid. Go with the hook.

 

[Walt L]

I am going back to a cunningham pull

I had a reefing hook on my gooseneck. When I was at the mast hauling the main down in some high winds did I lean on it, pull on it, or did the wind torque it, I do not know, but reefing hook on the pin through the gooseneck broke the ear off the gooseneck. Catalina Direct had a new casting for about $25. This time I think I will try to haul a reef in with a cunningham system.

 

[Dave Z.]

Cringing at cringles

OK, cringle, not clew, damn.I'm thinking maybe just running a line from the cleat on the mast, rather than risk breaking the gooseneck...