Reefing Question - Irwin 25

[dansam55]

I'm a fairly new owner of a 1971 Irwin 25 (8 foot beam), and have actually not had the need yet to reef the mainsail. I want to be ready for that as the fall winds kick up.

I have no lines rigged in place, but the fairleads, block, and cleats are on the boom, and the cringles, and sail ties are all in place.

Two questions:
Do I rig a line and reefing hook below the gooseneck and just tighten the reef tack down at that cringle, or can I just tie a line through the cringle and cinch it down around the boom.
and
Where does the line through the reef clew cringle start...does it tie down on the port side, go up through the cringle on the starboard side to the block and the cleat on the boom? I'm not sure what to tie that off to.

Anyway, I hope someone can help with this...and thank you very much.

Dan

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Usually reefing control lines, if they are located on the boom and mast (as apposed to being brought aft to the cockpit) have the cleat ends on the same side of the mast as the main halyard cleat. In order to reef you have to lower the main halyard as well as pull in the reefing control lines and then fasten them, so it is more convenient to have them all on the same side of the mast so one person can do this without running around to the other side of the mast. If you have a forward and aft line for the reef lines (as apposed to single line reefing), then they usually are set up like this: The forward reefing line is attached to an eyestrap with either a bowline or a spliced eye which is located on the opposite side of the mast than the cleat side and it is somewhere lower than the goosneck or tack fitting level. The cleat end of that line can go directly to a cleat which is located on the same side as the main halyard cleat and about the same height (or lower) than the eye strap on the other side. You can also run this line through a cheek block mounted lower than the forward reefing line cleat which gives you a little mechanical advantage by being able to pull the line up to the cleat after taking a turn through the cheek block. The aft reef line is usually attached to an eyestrap located on the same side as the eye strap on the mast for the forward reefing line. A cheek block is then mounted on the opposite side of the eye strap. Both the eye strap and the cheek block should be mounted aft of the reef cringle when it is lowered to the boom level. That way you stretch the foot of the reefed sail back. The aft line then leads forward along the boom to a cleat closer to the gooseneck on the same side as the main halyard and forward reefing line cleats. That, along with the forward pull of the forward line, will keep the foot straight and not loose after you have reefed. Then you can tie in each line located on the sail to collect the center of the sail material and fasten it to the boom. Happy reefing.

 

[dansam55]

I actually understand all that, and remarkably, all the eyestraps, cleats and sail ties are where you said they'd be. One more thing, as for line size and material for this rigging, what would you suggest?

You've been an incredible help.
Much thanks,
Dan

 

[Joe]

5/16" club level double braid such as NE Sta-set or Samson LS should be adequate.

If you single hand a lot or want to get a little fancier... here's a diagram of a two line reefing system similar to the method you'll employ but with the reefing lines led aft to the cockpit for convenience.

 

[dansam55]

Very nice. Thank you Joe.

Dan

 

[dscribner]

Dan,

Reef well, reef early! As an inexperienced sailor, I went out in 20 knot winds, gusting to 30 knots. I should have reefed. I looked up so see my main literally unzipping from the mast. The sail slugs were breaking sequentially. A $15 fix but it could have been much worse. Practice reefing. If you're married, your lovely bride will appreciate it almost as much as a head with plenty of room!

 

[dansam55]

This weekend I'll be prepared. I'll be rigged and practice no matter the conditions so I'll be ready when it gets blowy. My wife will happily have more to do.

Dan

 

[higgs]

If you get a calm wind day before you need to reef, that would be a great opportunity to go out and try it out so you see what works and what doesn't.

 

[bffatcat]

I would stay away from anything fancy too many blocks turns ect: When It breezes up you want things simple. So heres my system I can reef in less than 2 minutes. Im 73 Some will like it some wont.

lets start forward I have two 5/16 lines tied to a cringle on the luff of the main sail One port one starboard. Start your reef by luffing up your main. Dosent matter which tack your on
you can always reef from the high side with two forward lines one on either side of the main ease your halyard and pull the lines on your side down to the boom. Once its down to the boom have a cleat on either side to tie it off. Now for the aft end. Tie your aft reefer line as illustrated by some of the others and run it through the block but make sure its long enough to bring forward and cleat off UNDER THE BOOM so you can reach it from either side. forward. Just pull it forward right from where your sitting until the cringle is tight on the boom and cleat it off on the same cleat under the boom. pull your halyard back up tight. sheet your main in. your done After you do this a few times it should take about 2 minutes. If you want to tie the point ties in its up to you. Or you can just let the dead area hang