Just received my new mainsail which has two points (grommets) which allows the main to be reefed. My old main had smaller grommets and I just made a knot which prevented the line from slipping through the grommet when I decided to reef. My new main has bigger grommets and I would have to make a huge knot to prevent the line from pulling through the grommet when I decided to reef. What is the correct way to attach the line to the sail at the reef points(grommets) especially at the leech grommet.
- Status
Run the line through
the grommets at the "new" reefed tack and clew points. The reefing line goes from an anchor point on the boom (mine is tied around the boom)up and through the leech grommet and back down to the boom and through a sheeve (sp) on the boom end, through the boom w/an exit and cleat by the mast. The luff grommet can be rigged the same way, the reefing line goes up and through the grommet and back down to a cleat. My sail is not rigged with a reefing line on the luff. I lower the sail and put the luff grommet on a rams horn hook at the gooseneck end of the boom. It is common though to have a luff reefing line, which can run from the boom up and through the grommet and back to the deck with a turning black on the deck by the mast and then back to the cockpit. In short, it is my understanding that the luff and leach reef points are generally not rigged with a stopper knot. Scott
the grommets at the "new" reefed tack and clew points. The reefing line goes from an anchor point on the boom (mine is tied around the boom)up and through the leech grommet and back down to the boom and through a sheeve (sp) on the boom end, through the boom w/an exit and cleat by the mast. The luff grommet can be rigged the same way, the reefing line goes up and through the grommet and back down to a cleat. My sail is not rigged with a reefing line on the luff. I lower the sail and put the luff grommet on a rams horn hook at the gooseneck end of the boom. It is common though to have a luff reefing line, which can run from the boom up and through the grommet and back to the deck with a turning black on the deck by the mast and then back to the cockpit. In short, it is my understanding that the luff and leach reef points are generally not rigged with a stopper knot. Scott
Jiffy reefing ?
If You have jiffy reefing what is the purpose for a large knot. If you don't you should look into it.
If You have jiffy reefing what is the purpose for a large knot. If you don't you should look into it.
I believe...
John is refering to the two or three reefing cringles in the body of the sail not the luff and clew cringles. He want to know how to retain the line that runs through the cringles. John, ask the sailmaker what they recommend for keeping these lines in the sail.
John is refering to the two or three reefing cringles in the body of the sail not the luff and clew cringles. He want to know how to retain the line that runs through the cringles. John, ask the sailmaker what they recommend for keeping these lines in the sail.
A somewhat related issue
I am thinking about taking out all the middle sail reef ties and just running a continuous bungee cord through the holes, when I want to tie up the loose sail. In the past when I tie off a couple of the mid boom reef lines, I usually forget to release them before I start to raise the sail, which is going to rip the sail one day. I don't have any form of jiffy reefing. I have to go to the mast to reef. Any thoughts? Scott
I am thinking about taking out all the middle sail reef ties and just running a continuous bungee cord through the holes, when I want to tie up the loose sail. In the past when I tie off a couple of the mid boom reef lines, I usually forget to release them before I start to raise the sail, which is going to rip the sail one day. I don't have any form of jiffy reefing. I have to go to the mast to reef. Any thoughts? Scott
Scott, use colored sail ties....
and forget about leaving permanent pieces of rope knotted in the reef grommets. That's for sails not rigged for jiffy or slab reefing. All you need are the flat woven, polyester ties to clean up the slab, 1/2 or 3/4 inch with pointed ends to thread through the hole. If you use colored sail ties you will not forget to remove them, cause you can see them plainly against your white sail. Also you can make them long enough to tie slip knots or shoelace knots for easy removal.
and forget about leaving permanent pieces of rope knotted in the reef grommets. That's for sails not rigged for jiffy or slab reefing. All you need are the flat woven, polyester ties to clean up the slab, 1/2 or 3/4 inch with pointed ends to thread through the hole. If you use colored sail ties you will not forget to remove them, cause you can see them plainly against your white sail. Also you can make them long enough to tie slip knots or shoelace knots for easy removal.
John, try this...
Run the reefing line through the leech cringle and anchor it to an eyestrap on the boom opposite the turning block. Both should be positioned a few inches behind the cringle to put tension on the leech and the foot. The leech reef line should run from the eyestrap up through the cringle, back down to the turning block then forward along the boom to a jam/horn cleat where it can be controlled from the mast area.
Run the reefing line through the leech cringle and anchor it to an eyestrap on the boom opposite the turning block. Both should be positioned a few inches behind the cringle to put tension on the leech and the foot. The leech reef line should run from the eyestrap up through the cringle, back down to the turning block then forward along the boom to a jam/horn cleat where it can be controlled from the mast area.
- Jan 22, 2008
- 519
jiffy reefing
As indicated by another writer, you have the basics of a jiffy reefing system. They accurately identify how to rig it. The additional grommets (usually 3) especially of that size would call for a single line that runs around the boom starting at the aft end passing through the grommets as it spirals its way forward, holding the bunt of the sail to the boom and cleated forward either on the boom or on the mast. A bungee cord as mentioned earlier, would accomplish the same feat.
As indicated by another writer, you have the basics of a jiffy reefing system. They accurately identify how to rig it. The additional grommets (usually 3) especially of that size would call for a single line that runs around the boom starting at the aft end passing through the grommets as it spirals its way forward, holding the bunt of the sail to the boom and cleated forward either on the boom or on the mast. A bungee cord as mentioned earlier, would accomplish the same feat.
If I understand the question, run the line thru
the cringle and tie a figure-eight knot on both sides of the sail. we get splash the 28th!! Tom s/v GAIA
the cringle and tie a figure-eight knot on both sides of the sail. we get splash the 28th!! Tom s/v GAIA
Tom, Joe(s), Scott(s), David, Don K
Thank you all for responding to my question. I have learned more from this forum than I care to admit. John
Thank you all for responding to my question. I have learned more from this forum than I care to admit. John
Reefing On-line information -
John, the concept of reefing is easy - reduce sail area to improve handling when the winds starts to blow. However there are a number of ways of actually doing it. There are lots of different ways to reef due to different set-up of lines but there are some basics. Check out the attached links. The baysail notes are quite comprehensive and I have found them to be a good simple starting point with some good illustrations http://www.baysail.com/keelboat/k_lessonc.htm http://www.sailnet.com/collections/learningtosail/index.cfm?articleID=matthe522&coll_cat=Firstsail&Coll_name=Your%20First%20Sail Hope this helps James
John, the concept of reefing is easy - reduce sail area to improve handling when the winds starts to blow. However there are a number of ways of actually doing it. There are lots of different ways to reef due to different set-up of lines but there are some basics. Check out the attached links. The baysail notes are quite comprehensive and I have found them to be a good simple starting point with some good illustrations http://www.baysail.com/keelboat/k_lessonc.htm http://www.sailnet.com/collections/learningtosail/index.cfm?articleID=matthe522&coll_cat=Firstsail&Coll_name=Your%20First%20Sail Hope this helps James
James ... great link!
Thanks !!! The baysail link is GREAT! What a wonderful teaching tool for guests who express further interest in sailing ... and useful for a couple friends who THINK they know what they're doing also. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
Thanks !!! The baysail link is GREAT! What a wonderful teaching tool for guests who express further interest in sailing ... and useful for a couple friends who THINK they know what they're doing also. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
I never use 'em.
If you're talking about those lines in the belly of the sail to gather the loose reefed section. As one writer mentioned, all you have to do is forget about 'em when shaking out a reef or maybe when cranking it up with the reef still in from a previous sail and... presto! a torn sail. Another scenario is if your reef line should come free in a big breeze. Then all you've got attaching the sail to the boom are those ties which might be strong enough to tear the sail. I suppose one solution would be to use line that's just heavy enough to hold the loose fabric but light enough to break away before the material shreds but I still hate the look of all that loose cordage hanging from the sail all the time anyway. We just pop the lazy jacks up (ours are retractable) whenever we reef and that keeps it corralled. Just my 2 cents.
If you're talking about those lines in the belly of the sail to gather the loose reefed section. As one writer mentioned, all you have to do is forget about 'em when shaking out a reef or maybe when cranking it up with the reef still in from a previous sail and... presto! a torn sail. Another scenario is if your reef line should come free in a big breeze. Then all you've got attaching the sail to the boom are those ties which might be strong enough to tear the sail. I suppose one solution would be to use line that's just heavy enough to hold the loose fabric but light enough to break away before the material shreds but I still hate the look of all that loose cordage hanging from the sail all the time anyway. We just pop the lazy jacks up (ours are retractable) whenever we reef and that keeps it corralled. Just my 2 cents.
And then there's my system,,,,
What are you looking at?
I could never explain it. I'll have to take the camera again.
What are you looking at?
I could never explain it. I'll have to take the camera again.- Status