Reefing

[Kevin]

I've never reefed my O'day 23 and don't know quite how. I'm only in month #3 of sailing and have seen windy conditions only a couple times. My boom has an extra block at the end and a cleat that is labeled "Reef"

On the gooseneck end, there are two stainless steel claws...that I assume would be used in the reefing process? They look like curled index & middle fingers on both sides of the boom. I usually use them to hold the mainsail and jib halyards after I put my sails in the cabin at the end of the day.

So my main questions:

1) When should I reef my mainsail? How fast should the wind be?
2) How do I reef?

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[Ray T]

Oday 23 Reefing

Kevin, I used to have a 23 and with your level of experience I would reef between 10 and 15. The right way to reef is to tighten the topping lift so the boom is suported in a level or slightly above position. Loosen the halyard and drop the main untill you can put the reefing hole over the horn on the front of the of the boom. This is the hooked thing you refered too. After that you should have a line running from an anchor point on one side and to the rear of the boom up and through the reefing hole in the rear of the sail. The line should come down go through the block and run forward to the cleat. Then tighten the reef line pretty tight raise the sail and release the topping lift. Some sails have a series of holes between the reefing holes with short lines through them and these lines would be tied around the boom for a neater job, I never used them. It took to long to tie all those lines for minimal benefit. I hope this clears it up for you. Good sailing. Ray T

 

[Dave]

Spring loaded boom

My 23 (and also my DS I) has roller reefing... I thought all the smaller O'Days have this as standard. Try pulling straight back on the boom. It should be spring loaded. While it is pulled back, it will turn. Roll 2 or 3 turns of sail on the boom. Release the halyard as you are doing this or reef before you raise the sail.
The boom will "lock" into position when you relax the pull.
Hope this helps.
Dave

 

[Kevin]

Thanks

Thanks for the responses. I'll try testing this next weekend when I get to the lake.

Kevin