Reefing Line Setup

[Ed P.]

Can anyone answer the following for me ?1. Is the Luff reefing line supposed to be attached on the starboard side to the boom or to a pad eye on the mast ?2. If it's attached to the mast vs. the boom, how does the boom get raised into position during the reefing process ?

 

[David Bergevin]

Reef points

The front edge of the boom stays put. Think about it, you are trying to lower the center of effort not raise it. When you reef the back of the boom rises to the reef grommet aft and then you lower the halyard to a point that you can secure the sail at the tack at the forward grommet. Attach the sail to the boom not the mast.Good sailing!

 

[Brad Williams]

I guess we reef differently, but

I don't know why it makes any difference. I don't know what you mean by the question "how does the boom get raised?" The boom stays in place, doesn't it? Secure the topping lift, release the halyard, lower the sail by pulling on the reef line, secure reef line, snug up the halyard, release the topping lift, tie the tidy-lines. Maybe you are saying that you have no topping lift, so releasing the halyard lets the boom drop into the cockpit? Hmmm, I'd get a topping lift, makes life so much easier and less messy.Brad