reefing technique

[Rick Mingeram]

I purchased my 25.5 this year, used of course, and recieved it with an extra set of tape drive sails. Although the mainsail has grommets for 2 reefing points there are no ties along the center area of the foot to secure the loose portion of reefed sail. It is a footloose design sail. Does this mean it is not meant to be reefed or is there some trick to gathering up the excess sail material?

 

[Dan]

reefing

I used to crew on a Catalina 30 that had a loose footed main. I don't remember if it had the ties or not but the few times that we did reef while racing we just left the extra sail hanging. We usually did not have the reef in for long periods of time.I would want the ties personally. You might want to check with a local sailmaker. they should be able to tell you the proper method for reefing that type of sail and/or recommend installing the grommets for the reefing ties.

 

[mike]

no ties

I understand that it's not necessary to use ties in the middle of a reefed sail. In fact it could stretch the sail downward hurting the shape. Particularly with a loose footed main. It's only necessary if you have excess material hanging down into the cockpit which shouldn't be the case.

 

[Dan]

good point

about the sail shape with the loose foot. The ties probably will not work well with that sail. I just hate having my vision impaired by the hanging sail when I am shorthanded which is almost always.

 

[Doug T.]

Ties - yes

We have a loose footed main and we use the ties to gather up and control the extra material. We don't tie them tightly, but I don't want the foot flogging in the wind and diminishing the life of the sail. Flogging is Bad.