How may of you have installed reefing tie lines (the short ones used to secure the mainsail to the boom when reefed) in you mainsail and leave them there permanently? Do you have them installed for both reef points? And finally, what type of line do you use and how do you attach them to the sails? Thanks.
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Use normal nylon line
Have all double reef lines installed. Used nylon line with knots on both sides of the cringles. works well. I have extra lines tied to the deck rails ready for use to tie the reef ends if need be. The set up works well. There is a discussion on reefing knots in the all sail boats section going on now which is worth reading. Another add-on which I find useful is a large chain quick link through the luff cringle to make jiffy reefing easier.
Have all double reef lines installed. Used nylon line with knots on both sides of the cringles. works well. I have extra lines tied to the deck rails ready for use to tie the reef ends if need be. The set up works well. There is a discussion on reefing knots in the all sail boats section going on now which is worth reading. Another add-on which I find useful is a large chain quick link through the luff cringle to make jiffy reefing easier.
I never use them.
I find the clew adequate so when I am reefed the sail is configured that same a a loose footed sail and there are many high performace boats out there with loose footed mains. Reefing lines usually distort your sail also.
I find the clew adequate so when I am reefed the sail is configured that same a a loose footed sail and there are many high performace boats out there with loose footed mains. Reefing lines usually distort your sail also.
I use...
... 4 ft pieces of 3/16th inch fuzzy braid that are fixed to the sail with figure eight knots on each side of the sail. For reasons I don't understand, these lines never flutter about or flog the main when under way, even in a blow. They are much handier when fixed to your sail than looking around for them when you reef.
... 4 ft pieces of 3/16th inch fuzzy braid that are fixed to the sail with figure eight knots on each side of the sail. For reasons I don't understand, these lines never flutter about or flog the main when under way, even in a blow. They are much handier when fixed to your sail than looking around for them when you reef.
I don't use them either.
My main is high aspect so the foot is short. But the biggest problem with tying a main is that if you shake out a reef, you have to go forward to untie the lines. And if you forget, the main will tear. Not good. I don't think it's worth it. At least for me.
My main is high aspect so the foot is short. But the biggest problem with tying a main is that if you shake out a reef, you have to go forward to untie the lines. And if you forget, the main will tear. Not good. I don't think it's worth it. At least for me.
reef ties...
are usually used only to secure excess sail from dropping onto the deck, NOT to tie the sail to the boom. The tack and clew reef points are what secures the sail to the boom. tieing the reef ties to tightly can tear the sail.
are usually used only to secure excess sail from dropping onto the deck, NOT to tie the sail to the boom. The tack and clew reef points are what secures the sail to the boom. tieing the reef ties to tightly can tear the sail.
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