We were running downwind the other day on a broad reach when the wind really piped up to about 30 knots of breeze (and my wife asked me to not come back for her if she went over the side). In these circumstances, we started thinking about the best way to reef. We have single line reefing from the cockpit and my plan was to turn the boat into the wind to take down some sail. I was worried however that as soon as the wind was on the beam we might broach. I tightened the outhaul a bit but am not sure this has any effect when you're heading downwind. I did figure that if we broached accidently, there would be less heel with a flatter sail. Could you advise me on what I should have done? This was our first cruise in a new boat and our second year in a boat at all. Fortunately, as we were making up our minds, the wind moderated so we continued on our way without the reef. An hour later it was blowing less than five knots. Eric Also, if you were going to buy only one, would you recommend your book or the lainated cheat sheets.
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Backwinding the Main
What's the rig on a 320? What kind of jib did you have up; was it on a roller furler, etc? I've heard some concerns that single line reefing doesn't tension the foot and flatten it enough. Certainly if you haven't reefed this boat before it might be a challenge to try it for the first time with 30 knot gusts. Why not try it in the slip with 5 knots of wind first. All that aside, if you feel comfortable over trimming the jib; then turning down from a beam reach to a broad reach letting out the boom slowly. At some point the jib or genoa will be backwinding the main and this takes considerable power out of the sail (do not go dead down wind as you risk a jibe). This should allow you to loosen the main halyard (hopefully to a predetermined point you previously marked on the halyard); fasten down your single line reefing line; and retension the main halyard. It may be difficult do it if the sail is all the way out against the spreaders of a double spreader B&R rig (which I have), but the backwinding should work on a broad reach. Another option, particularly if short handed is to heave to, but that's also something you should practice in 5 -10 -15 knots to see if you feel comfortable with it.
What's the rig on a 320? What kind of jib did you have up; was it on a roller furler, etc? I've heard some concerns that single line reefing doesn't tension the foot and flatten it enough. Certainly if you haven't reefed this boat before it might be a challenge to try it for the first time with 30 knot gusts. Why not try it in the slip with 5 knots of wind first. All that aside, if you feel comfortable over trimming the jib; then turning down from a beam reach to a broad reach letting out the boom slowly. At some point the jib or genoa will be backwinding the main and this takes considerable power out of the sail (do not go dead down wind as you risk a jibe). This should allow you to loosen the main halyard (hopefully to a predetermined point you previously marked on the halyard); fasten down your single line reefing line; and retension the main halyard. It may be difficult do it if the sail is all the way out against the spreaders of a double spreader B&R rig (which I have), but the backwinding should work on a broad reach. Another option, particularly if short handed is to heave to, but that's also something you should practice in 5 -10 -15 knots to see if you feel comfortable with it.
For now practice in light air.
Your 320 won't broach if you simply come on around into the wind without sheeting in. The 320 is very stiff and agile. Go through the tack, but sheet the jib in on the new windward side (i.e., without changing winches) and turn the helm down. This will cause the boat to heave to. Take up the loose slack in the mainsheet and topping lift but don't sheet the boom in. Drop the main halyard about 5' and crank in the reef. Tighten up the halyard, loosen the jib sheet and switch over to the correct winch. When you have sufficient speed on, tack back over and fall off to your original course. It ain't elegant, but it is safe and stable when you're shorthanded in higher winds.
Your 320 won't broach if you simply come on around into the wind without sheeting in. The 320 is very stiff and agile. Go through the tack, but sheet the jib in on the new windward side (i.e., without changing winches) and turn the helm down. This will cause the boat to heave to. Take up the loose slack in the mainsheet and topping lift but don't sheet the boom in. Drop the main halyard about 5' and crank in the reef. Tighten up the halyard, loosen the jib sheet and switch over to the correct winch. When you have sufficient speed on, tack back over and fall off to your original course. It ain't elegant, but it is safe and stable when you're shorthanded in higher winds.
Heave-to
I agree with Chris - I had the "need" to reef a week or so ago. We left Fairhaven in 10 to 15 knots on an O'day 23 and things were good. The wind continued to build and we were in 20+ knot winds - not the place for a 23 ft boat with a full main. So we hove-to and reefed. I have reefed before by coming into the wind but you need a steady hand on the helm and a constant eye on the wind direction. Heaving to is a skill I would recomend to all - My sailing mate and I are relatively new to actually driving the boat and each time we go out we try to practise something new. Once you have experienced the calm of heaving to in winds of 20+ knots and heavy seas you will gain an appreciation of what a great manouever this is. Reefing is never easy - you always have to do it when "things" are getting interesting and depending who is on the boat the exercise might become more "interesting" - so my advise is ..... practise practise practise and always reef early - it is always easy to shake a reef if the wind dies - it becomes increasingly difficult if the wind keeps building. You can see some good advise and methods for reefing at: http://www.baysail.com/keelboat/k_lessonc.htm aslo try http://www.sailingusa.info/weather_and_reefing.htm#Reefing%20the%20sails Cheers James
I agree with Chris - I had the "need" to reef a week or so ago. We left Fairhaven in 10 to 15 knots on an O'day 23 and things were good. The wind continued to build and we were in 20+ knot winds - not the place for a 23 ft boat with a full main. So we hove-to and reefed. I have reefed before by coming into the wind but you need a steady hand on the helm and a constant eye on the wind direction. Heaving to is a skill I would recomend to all - My sailing mate and I are relatively new to actually driving the boat and each time we go out we try to practise something new. Once you have experienced the calm of heaving to in winds of 20+ knots and heavy seas you will gain an appreciation of what a great manouever this is. Reefing is never easy - you always have to do it when "things" are getting interesting and depending who is on the boat the exercise might become more "interesting" - so my advise is ..... practise practise practise and always reef early - it is always easy to shake a reef if the wind dies - it becomes increasingly difficult if the wind keeps building. You can see some good advise and methods for reefing at: http://www.baysail.com/keelboat/k_lessonc.htm aslo try http://www.sailingusa.info/weather_and_reefing.htm#Reefing%20the%20sails Cheers James
It's about decision making
The right question isn't "how can I reef when I'm caught off the wind in 30 knots?" The real question is, "how did you let the wind get to 30 knots without reefing long before that?" We've all done it, me included. Even though the wind doesn't feel strong when you're running, you've got to understand what's happening. You should have been reefed long before you got to 30 knots. I've almost been knocked down by failing to make my mainsail smaller in building winds astern, then having to come broadside to drop. Once that happens, you're more sensitive to the true wind when you're running off.
The right question isn't "how can I reef when I'm caught off the wind in 30 knots?" The real question is, "how did you let the wind get to 30 knots without reefing long before that?" We've all done it, me included. Even though the wind doesn't feel strong when you're running, you've got to understand what's happening. You should have been reefed long before you got to 30 knots. I've almost been knocked down by failing to make my mainsail smaller in building winds astern, then having to come broadside to drop. Once that happens, you're more sensitive to the true wind when you're running off.
Caught off guard
The ride on a broad reach is just too exhilarting to worry about being overpowered until you really are in too deep. We had plenty of sea room for the reach but it was the seas that started to worry us. We were getting rolled around quite a bit more than I thought possible on Long Island Sound in anything other than a named storm. Heaving to is something I've done in my Pearson and expect I would be confortable doing in the Catalina. Problem was that we had no jib up as it would have been blanketed by the main (this was a very deep reach)and I can't imagine unfurling it in such conditions just to heave to. Given the amount of sea room we had, I believe we were in no real danger. Basically it amounted to some frazzled nerves and a lesson well learned. EG
The ride on a broad reach is just too exhilarting to worry about being overpowered until you really are in too deep. We had plenty of sea room for the reach but it was the seas that started to worry us. We were getting rolled around quite a bit more than I thought possible on Long Island Sound in anything other than a named storm. Heaving to is something I've done in my Pearson and expect I would be confortable doing in the Catalina. Problem was that we had no jib up as it would have been blanketed by the main (this was a very deep reach)and I can't imagine unfurling it in such conditions just to heave to. Given the amount of sea room we had, I believe we were in no real danger. Basically it amounted to some frazzled nerves and a lesson well learned. EG
Eric Graig - Trying to reef a boat while your screaming downwind or on a reach in 30 knots of breeze is not an easy thing to do but there is an easy way. Since it was just your wife an yourself, you need an easy way to accomplish the reefing proceedure and the easiest way is to get the boat head to wind and then go about your task. The problem is that jibing the boat in that kind of wind is no joy either. In fact, its dangerous. The solution is the "Chicken Jibe". In your case, we are only going to do half of it. Say your on port tack. You could jibe but that puts a lot of pressure on your equipment when the boom comes smashing over and you also have the jib to contend with. Instead of jibing, just sheet in the mainsheet and the jib sheet and gradually turn to port. Keep turning until you come head to wind and then go through your reefing proceedure. At this point you have the jib furled up and the main nicely reefed but your "in irons". No problem - just back the mainsail and the boat will start to move forward and you proceed in your intended direction and under control. Let's say you don't want to reef but just wanted to complete a downwind tack but did not want to risk a jibe. Proceed as I indicated on the chicken jibe BUT continue through the head to wind part by still turning the boat and backing the jib and gradually easing the sheets. Shortly, you'll arrive on the new tack. Try it a couple of times in medium winds and see how it works for you.
There is another point I forgot to mention about reefing. Many times I see sailors TIGHTLY sinch down the small lines that go through the reefing grommits. This is a mistake as the purpose of these lines is to merely "tidy" up the sail and prevent it from falling all over the place. The result of tighening up the reefing grommet lines is that the wind pressure could cause the sail to rip straigh up the sail from the grommits. It is not a pretty sight. Another reefing tip is to take a small piece of line and wrap it around the clew and the boom. This helps take the pressure off the clew cringle.
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