Yesterday I sailed my 170 with the mainsail reefed for the first time. This spring I installed a single-line system to replace the stock two-line setup, and the new rig worked fine. But I hadn't anticipated that to reef, I'd have to pull the retaining pin from the mast track and drop two of the mainsail slugs out of the track. This is a step I'd prefer to avoid, as it requires the crew to stand upright at the mast. (As part of the re-fit, I had moved the cleat for the mainsheet halyard lower on the mast, and installed the cleat for the reefing line opposite it, also low on the mast, so my crew can squat or kneel to use them.) My question: Do those of you who reef your 170 mainsails drop the slugs, or leave them in the track? I probably could have gotten by yesterday without reefing, as the winds were moderate, but as I am still learning the boat I was feeling cautious. I was pleasantly surprised at how much better the reefed 170 seemed to handle overall. The helm was neutral and responsive, the mainsail was managable, the boat pointed well, and suddenly I was a much better sailor. I will add this to the advice of other 170 owners on this forum: when in doubt, reef early, reef often and, if possible, reef before you leave the dock.
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Mike
Reefing main/dropping sail slugs
Rick, I always used to remove the pin and drop the slugs when reefing my 170. It's sort a bummer to have to pull the pin, slide the slugs out, and then replace the pin. But I found that this helped the luff/tack area of the main retain its shape far better than leaving the slugs in and smooshing them down against the pin. I just installed single-line reefing Sunday on my Compac 19 and I assume I'm going to have to do the same with it- I think at least two slugs will need to come out when reefing that main. Best, Mike G.
Rick, I always used to remove the pin and drop the slugs when reefing my 170. It's sort a bummer to have to pull the pin, slide the slugs out, and then replace the pin. But I found that this helped the luff/tack area of the main retain its shape far better than leaving the slugs in and smooshing them down against the pin. I just installed single-line reefing Sunday on my Compac 19 and I assume I'm going to have to do the same with it- I think at least two slugs will need to come out when reefing that main. Best, Mike G.
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Jeff
Leave the slugs in
I have always left the slugs in and just tightened down the forward reef line. I don't have a single line system. I have not noticed any ill effects to the sail shape. I agree with you, the 170 sails very well reefed.
I have always left the slugs in and just tightened down the forward reef line. I don't have a single line system. I have not noticed any ill effects to the sail shape. I agree with you, the 170 sails very well reefed.
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Mike
Reefing/Tack pin question
Rick, Jeff, et al- While we're talking about this part of the boat, does anyone have measurements for the "tack pin" that pins laterally through the boom's gooseneck, and holds the tack corner of the sail down? Or if not, would you mind manually measuring the pin next time you're out? Believe it or not, the Compac 19 I just bought came without a tack pin !! and I think the gooseneck holes are the same diameter as those on the 170...so I'm hoping to just order a pin to match. Lind at JY referred me to Dwyer Mast, which makes the 170's components. Conversely, I'm not sure if Compac can get me this pin since the 19's out of production, but I'm going to contact them too. I'm surprised that places like APS and West Marine don't seem to carry this part. So either Dwyer or Hutchins seem to be my best bet. Best, Mike G.
Rick, Jeff, et al- While we're talking about this part of the boat, does anyone have measurements for the "tack pin" that pins laterally through the boom's gooseneck, and holds the tack corner of the sail down? Or if not, would you mind manually measuring the pin next time you're out? Believe it or not, the Compac 19 I just bought came without a tack pin !! and I think the gooseneck holes are the same diameter as those on the 170...so I'm hoping to just order a pin to match. Lind at JY referred me to Dwyer Mast, which makes the 170's components. Conversely, I'm not sure if Compac can get me this pin since the 19's out of production, but I'm going to contact them too. I'm surprised that places like APS and West Marine don't seem to carry this part. So either Dwyer or Hutchins seem to be my best bet. Best, Mike G.
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Tahoe Tim
I'm not familiar with the mast slot on the 170
....but I am assuming that it has an opening in the slot were it is wide enough to feed the slugs into. Feed the slugs in and once they are in, put the (pin?) to retain them. On the larger boats we have what is called a "mast gate" (do a search and I'm sure you will find something) which closes this hole and yet allows the slugs to pass freely up and down. On an old boat I made a mast gate out of aluminum toe edge carpet molding. Worked great. Tim
....but I am assuming that it has an opening in the slot were it is wide enough to feed the slugs into. Feed the slugs in and once they are in, put the (pin?) to retain them. On the larger boats we have what is called a "mast gate" (do a search and I'm sure you will find something) which closes this hole and yet allows the slugs to pass freely up and down. On an old boat I made a mast gate out of aluminum toe edge carpet molding. Worked great. Tim
Another single line reefing question
Great question, Rick - I just installed single-line reefing (146 comes with NO reefing rigging - only the points in the sail). I was wondering EXACTLY that...I think I will opt for the un-elegant "smooshing" technique too - it worked fine during my first short test. I have another related question... Where does the new reef point cringle sit at the outhaul end - I had thought it would also sit rioght down on the boom - but it appears to want to sit about 6 inches or so above the boom. Being a loose-footed main, maybe that's normal??? Have not given it a real workout yet - was by myself that day, and it was bery blustery and strong winds - so was not very comfy about running around by the mast, trying out something brand new, with only my 120lbs of ballast! I'm gonna check Tim's suggestion on the mast gate - sounds like the best of both worlds - though I am not picturing it from his description. Thanks all!
Great question, Rick - I just installed single-line reefing (146 comes with NO reefing rigging - only the points in the sail). I was wondering EXACTLY that...I think I will opt for the un-elegant "smooshing" technique too - it worked fine during my first short test. I have another related question... Where does the new reef point cringle sit at the outhaul end - I had thought it would also sit rioght down on the boom - but it appears to want to sit about 6 inches or so above the boom. Being a loose-footed main, maybe that's normal??? Have not given it a real workout yet - was by myself that day, and it was bery blustery and strong winds - so was not very comfy about running around by the mast, trying out something brand new, with only my 120lbs of ballast! I'm gonna check Tim's suggestion on the mast gate - sounds like the best of both worlds - though I am not picturing it from his description. Thanks all!
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Rick S.
Pin size, cringle position
Everybody, Thanks for your input. If I'm reefing at the dock, I'll probably drop the two slugs, but reefing underway, I'll just smoosh the main and live with it. Mike, On the 170, the pin above the mast gate is a standard cotter pin, 2 inches long overall. The hole in the mast is 3/16" diameter; your Compac may be different, of course. In the West Marine catalog, stainless steel cotter pins are listed at $2.79 for a set of three, probably the least you'll spend for an upgrade this summer... If the new pin is a little loose in the hole, remove the pin, stick a thin screwdriver into the split and then squeeze the ends together with a set of pliers. This will belly the pin a little in the middle, where it counts. Tereza, The reef line pulls the clew reef cringle aft as well as down, and pulls the tack reef cringle forward as well as down. Think "vectors." When the sail is fully extended (unreefed), most of the force initially applied by the reef line is straight down. As the reef cringles approach the boom, the angle of pull changes, and the force becomes more horizontal than vertical. So at some point, further tugging on the reef line won't bring the reef cringles any closer to the boom -- it will just stretch the sail along the foot. Others with more experience could probably verify this, but reef cringles resting within six inches or so of the boom should be sufficient. Rick
Everybody, Thanks for your input. If I'm reefing at the dock, I'll probably drop the two slugs, but reefing underway, I'll just smoosh the main and live with it. Mike, On the 170, the pin above the mast gate is a standard cotter pin, 2 inches long overall. The hole in the mast is 3/16" diameter; your Compac may be different, of course. In the West Marine catalog, stainless steel cotter pins are listed at $2.79 for a set of three, probably the least you'll spend for an upgrade this summer... If the new pin is a little loose in the hole, remove the pin, stick a thin screwdriver into the split and then squeeze the ends together with a set of pliers. This will belly the pin a little in the middle, where it counts. Tereza, The reef line pulls the clew reef cringle aft as well as down, and pulls the tack reef cringle forward as well as down. Think "vectors." When the sail is fully extended (unreefed), most of the force initially applied by the reef line is straight down. As the reef cringles approach the boom, the angle of pull changes, and the force becomes more horizontal than vertical. So at some point, further tugging on the reef line won't bring the reef cringles any closer to the boom -- it will just stretch the sail along the foot. Others with more experience could probably verify this, but reef cringles resting within six inches or so of the boom should be sufficient. Rick
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Rick S.
mea culpa
Mike, Immediately after I posted my last response, the words of my seventh grade English teacher came rushing back to me: "Read the question carefully before you answer." Upon careful re-reading of your recent post, I conclude that you're not missing the the mast gate cotter pin, indeed, but part of the gooseneck. Sorry, I have reefing on the brain this week. Rick
Mike, Immediately after I posted my last response, the words of my seventh grade English teacher came rushing back to me: "Read the question carefully before you answer." Upon careful re-reading of your recent post, I conclude that you're not missing the the mast gate cotter pin, indeed, but part of the gooseneck. Sorry, I have reefing on the brain this week. Rick
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