reefing

[adrian morris]

I have a hunter 19 and am finding it difficult to figure how to run the reefing line into the mainsail The owners manual has a diagram but it is not very clear how the lines run I think I figured how the outhaul goes Any one have any advice? Thanks

 

[Paul]

Here's a WAG

I don't have a 19, but here's how the reefing line runs on most boats...1. The line dead-ends on an eye or a bail near the aft end of the mast. I think a buntline hitch is a fine knot to use.2. From there, it goes up to the reef cringle (grommet) sewn into the leech (trailing edge) of the sail.3. From the cringle down to a sheave (pulley) on the aft end of the boom.4. Through the boom and out the forward end and over another sheave, then down to a block on the deck.5. From the block on the deck, straight up to a cringle or sewn-in metal loop on the luff (leading edge) of the sail.6. Finally, down (probably) through a metal eye attached to the mast to a block on the deck (maybe the lower sheave of a double "fiddle" block that you used in step 4) and back to the cockpit.That's for a single-line system that's common on most mid and larger Hunter Cruisers. Don't see why a 19 wouldn't be the same.Now, if you have a couple of hooks on the boom near the gooseneck, you have a jiffy-reefing system. Post a reply and I'll tell you how that should be rigged, it's much simpler. Or, maybe a 19 owner will pipe up.You should get this rigged and practice reefing at the dock to make sure it works OK. Don't wait to find out when you're out on the water and overpowered.Good Luck!Paulsv Escape Artisth336

 

[Rick Macdonald]

It has jiffy reefing

The manual for my 1995 23.5 covers the 19, 23.5 and 26. The diagram for the reefing is actually labelled for the 19, but it matches my 23.5.Steps 1 to 4 above are correct and cover the entire reefing rigging, with this modification to #4 which becomes the last step:4. Through the boom and out the forward end over the jam cleat (I guess that's what it's called).From there the line just hangs. You pull it down and up against the cleat so it swivels and locks. Then you loop the luft reefing cringle over the rams hook and harden the main halyard.HINT: on a calm day raise the main then drop it again slowly to where the halyard is loose enough that you can pull the grommet over the ram's hook. Mark the halyard near the cleat or somewhere such that you can drop the main to this point and cleat it and know that you can get it onto the ram's hook before going forward. Then go back and hard the halyard. I'm assuming that this is useful on the 19 even though you don't have to climb atop the cabin to go forward to the mast.