The wind is howling... and the boat is heeled more than you'd like. The weather helm is making your arms ache. Your crew is white-knuckled. You know you should have reefed earlier, but you convinced yourself the conditions would moderate. Instead, they worsened. We've all been in this situation before. There's alot to think about before you shorten sail: Boat size and design; sail inventory and rig configuration; availability, experience, and number of crew; where you are and where you're headed are just a few of the factors affecting the decision. What's your strategy for reefing when the wind is howling and the lee rail is down? Roll up a sail? Which do you drop first? Put one or two reefs in the main? Or do you carefully crab your way onto the pitching foredeck, drag down the headsail and hoist a smaller one? Ever need to run off under bare poles? Heave to? Deploy a sea anchor? What works best for you when it's time to shorten sail? Tell us your experiences here, then take the Quick Quiz on the home page. (Discussion topic and quiz by Warren Milberg)
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Aren't furlers great?
I don't leave cockpit: use genoa furler to reef headsail; use in-mast furler to reef main. If it is still too much, srtart engine, and completely furl both sails. Use engine.
I don't leave cockpit: use genoa furler to reef headsail; use in-mast furler to reef main. If it is still too much, srtart engine, and completely furl both sails. Use engine.
Reefing...
I typically start by rolling up some headsail on my furler. If that isn't enough, I roll the whole headsail up and sail with the main alone. Having said that, if I'm just starting out and haven't raised any sails yet, and thew wind is really blowing, I would just unfurl some headsail and use no main at all. As it turns out, my Hunter 28.5 tends to sail pretty well with either the main or headsail alone. I hardly ever reef the main as I tend to single hand alot and see no real need for it.
I typically start by rolling up some headsail on my furler. If that isn't enough, I roll the whole headsail up and sail with the main alone. Having said that, if I'm just starting out and haven't raised any sails yet, and thew wind is really blowing, I would just unfurl some headsail and use no main at all. As it turns out, my Hunter 28.5 tends to sail pretty well with either the main or headsail alone. I hardly ever reef the main as I tend to single hand alot and see no real need for it.
At 15 knots of wind...
It is time to reef. First I roll up about 10% of the jib then I put the first reef in the main. If I roll up the jib completely then the bow tends to buck and the ride isn't nearly as stable. Furthermore sailing (in heavy weather) on either sail alone stresses the rig and the mast, under certain conditions, may break if the forestay is overloaded with a head sail alone. At 25+ knots of wind the second reef goes in the main and the head sail is a hanky. Beyond 35 knots of steady wind I look for a port as those are gail conditions. Mike S/B Pitterpat
It is time to reef. First I roll up about 10% of the jib then I put the first reef in the main. If I roll up the jib completely then the bow tends to buck and the ride isn't nearly as stable. Furthermore sailing (in heavy weather) on either sail alone stresses the rig and the mast, under certain conditions, may break if the forestay is overloaded with a head sail alone. At 25+ knots of wind the second reef goes in the main and the head sail is a hanky. Beyond 35 knots of steady wind I look for a port as those are gail conditions. Mike S/B Pitterpat
Roll in Jib and move traveller to leeward
I roll up some jib and move the traveller to leeward. Then I reef the main. Around 20+ kts the jib is fully rolled and the main's second reef goes in.
I roll up some jib and move the traveller to leeward. Then I reef the main. Around 20+ kts the jib is fully rolled and the main's second reef goes in.
Reef early
If we even think about reefing - we do. It is easy to shake out the jiffy reef. We are also learning that due to the design of the boat we often can go faster reefed than with a full sail. When then trim is just right, no more than a quarter turn on the wheel and a 15 degree heal we can just fly! Then fun begins!! BTW - life jackets are required by everyone on board if a reef goes in. We wear our all the time regardless.
If we even think about reefing - we do. It is easy to shake out the jiffy reef. We are also learning that due to the design of the boat we often can go faster reefed than with a full sail. When then trim is just right, no more than a quarter turn on the wheel and a 15 degree heal we can just fly! Then fun begins!! BTW - life jackets are required by everyone on board if a reef goes in. We wear our all the time regardless.
Main first.... I think
Reef early, reef often. If I know the wind is blowing more than 13 or 14, I reef the main at the dock. If I'm caught out there, I still reef the main first before I dial in the jib. I find that the boat sails better with a reefed main than a partially furled jib and full main. If it blows 20, I then partially furl up the jib. Over 20, the seas usually make it uncomfortable on my boat (Oday 23), so I head in. However, I just put new sails on the boat and went from a 100% jib to a 135% Genoa. I am anxious to find out if its better to furl the Genoa down first, or if things are still better with a reef in the main.
Reef early, reef often. If I know the wind is blowing more than 13 or 14, I reef the main at the dock. If I'm caught out there, I still reef the main first before I dial in the jib. I find that the boat sails better with a reefed main than a partially furled jib and full main. If it blows 20, I then partially furl up the jib. Over 20, the seas usually make it uncomfortable on my boat (Oday 23), so I head in. However, I just put new sails on the boat and went from a 100% jib to a 135% Genoa. I am anxious to find out if its better to furl the Genoa down first, or if things are still better with a reef in the main.
If I know it's...
...really blowing before I leave the marina, I tuck in a reef of the main while in the slip. Once I get out there, I can easily determine if I need to reduce the full headsail or not. Much easier to reef a main at the dock than when its blowing 20 kts and you are alone. And, shaking out a reef is a breeze (no pun....)
...really blowing before I leave the marina, I tuck in a reef of the main while in the slip. Once I get out there, I can easily determine if I need to reduce the full headsail or not. Much easier to reef a main at the dock than when its blowing 20 kts and you are alone. And, shaking out a reef is a breeze (no pun....)
reef
Since the 150 genoa is usually up all summer, when it comes time to reef, we furl the genoa as necessary to keep the boat balanced going upwind. As winds increase, we'll put the first reef in the main (approx 20 knots). Greater winds the genoa is furled to about 80 - 90% and the 2nd reef goes in the main. We've had some very exciting sails using this method in winds gusting 30 to 35 knots. The key using this method, and adjusting the traveler, is to keep the boat as balanced as possible to the wind's force. When going downwind, the headsail will be reefed as necessary until it's entirely furled. Then we will use only the main and reef that as necessary. Although our boat is relatively light (Hunter 31), many years of experience, with many early precarious situations, and really learning how to keep the boat balanced have enabled us to enjoy sailing in "heavy weather."
Since the 150 genoa is usually up all summer, when it comes time to reef, we furl the genoa as necessary to keep the boat balanced going upwind. As winds increase, we'll put the first reef in the main (approx 20 knots). Greater winds the genoa is furled to about 80 - 90% and the 2nd reef goes in the main. We've had some very exciting sails using this method in winds gusting 30 to 35 knots. The key using this method, and adjusting the traveler, is to keep the boat as balanced as possible to the wind's force. When going downwind, the headsail will be reefed as necessary until it's entirely furled. Then we will use only the main and reef that as necessary. Although our boat is relatively light (Hunter 31), many years of experience, with many early precarious situations, and really learning how to keep the boat balanced have enabled us to enjoy sailing in "heavy weather."
Reefing Strategy
If your boat is small enough, like an Oday 19/192, use the jib halyard to lower the mast to approx. 25 degrees over the deck, (after releasing the main sheet), reef it while it is down, then raise it. Larger boats where the mast is too heavy, tie a lifeline to the mast and around your waist to prevent overboards.
If your boat is small enough, like an Oday 19/192, use the jib halyard to lower the mast to approx. 25 degrees over the deck, (after releasing the main sheet), reef it while it is down, then raise it. Larger boats where the mast is too heavy, tie a lifeline to the mast and around your waist to prevent overboards.
Our Reefing Routine
One time we were sailing across Lake Superior from Wisconsin to our home port of Knife River Minnesota. It's a sail of about 30 miles or so from marina to marina. When leaving Wisconsin the conditions were seas of 1-3 and winds of around 15 knots out of the NE. As we were crossing, conditions continued to build with decreasing visibility. We rolled up the genny to the 110% and were flying on a broad reach, surfing to 10 knots. An awesome ride. We were about 8 miles from the marina and were thinking we should reef but thought at the speeds we were travelling, we would be there in less than an hour. So we left up what we had. About 3 miles from the marina (I fired up the radar to ensure we weather the island outside our marina) we got caught by a huge wave (which by now were averaging 6-8 feet) and broached. Not a huge deal since she just settled down being hove-to. We took everything down since we were going to be running with the seas and ran in under auxillary power. A very valuable experience. I've been noticing though that when we have our full main and the jib down to 100%, she doesn't like to heave to as well. So the boat is dictating somewhat our reefing process, requiring us to reef the genny, then the main, then the genny. Besides, our mainsail is heavier than our jib. So the last sail I'm pulling down is the main. I might also mention that in those conditions, we always have a sail up. I think when a sailboat gets in trouble it's because the auxillary can't keep up with the conditions. Sailboats are made to be under sail and handle those conditions better when sailing. We had gotten caught when under only auxillary when we reached a heel of 45 degrees on a wave and the engine quit. Was pretty hairy so now I'm never without a sail up in those conditions unless I'm within a couple miles to windward of the marina. We currently sail an O'Day 40. Our previous boat was a Mac26X with a hanked on genoa and jib. There was nothing worse when conditions were getting a bit boisterous than having to go forward and pull down the genoa and put up the gib. I absolutely love our roller furling now. I don't think I would trade it for anything. Troy Brown S/V WhimSea
One time we were sailing across Lake Superior from Wisconsin to our home port of Knife River Minnesota. It's a sail of about 30 miles or so from marina to marina. When leaving Wisconsin the conditions were seas of 1-3 and winds of around 15 knots out of the NE. As we were crossing, conditions continued to build with decreasing visibility. We rolled up the genny to the 110% and were flying on a broad reach, surfing to 10 knots. An awesome ride. We were about 8 miles from the marina and were thinking we should reef but thought at the speeds we were travelling, we would be there in less than an hour. So we left up what we had. About 3 miles from the marina (I fired up the radar to ensure we weather the island outside our marina) we got caught by a huge wave (which by now were averaging 6-8 feet) and broached. Not a huge deal since she just settled down being hove-to. We took everything down since we were going to be running with the seas and ran in under auxillary power. A very valuable experience. I've been noticing though that when we have our full main and the jib down to 100%, she doesn't like to heave to as well. So the boat is dictating somewhat our reefing process, requiring us to reef the genny, then the main, then the genny. Besides, our mainsail is heavier than our jib. So the last sail I'm pulling down is the main. I might also mention that in those conditions, we always have a sail up. I think when a sailboat gets in trouble it's because the auxillary can't keep up with the conditions. Sailboats are made to be under sail and handle those conditions better when sailing. We had gotten caught when under only auxillary when we reached a heel of 45 degrees on a wave and the engine quit. Was pretty hairy so now I'm never without a sail up in those conditions unless I'm within a couple miles to windward of the marina. We currently sail an O'Day 40. Our previous boat was a Mac26X with a hanked on genoa and jib. There was nothing worse when conditions were getting a bit boisterous than having to go forward and pull down the genoa and put up the gib. I absolutely love our roller furling now. I don't think I would trade it for anything. Troy Brown S/V WhimSea
Reefed main or working jib
We have an Ericson 30' and have sailed Lake Mead for the last few years. I've been caught out in winds in excess of 50 mph out there and all I have to do is either drop the jib and put in one reef on the main or drop the main completely and sail on the working jib. The boat does not like to only motor but with at least one sail up she usually heels over to about 15 to 20 and starts to dance with the waves. "Gypsy Woman" is a great heavy weather boat and I have complete faith in her that she will always bring us home. With lighter boat I don't recommend this type of sailing and would reef the main all the way down or just use a storm jib in the 50 plus I've sailed in. John Lake Mead Sailing Club
We have an Ericson 30' and have sailed Lake Mead for the last few years. I've been caught out in winds in excess of 50 mph out there and all I have to do is either drop the jib and put in one reef on the main or drop the main completely and sail on the working jib. The boat does not like to only motor but with at least one sail up she usually heels over to about 15 to 20 and starts to dance with the waves. "Gypsy Woman" is a great heavy weather boat and I have complete faith in her that she will always bring us home. With lighter boat I don't recommend this type of sailing and would reef the main all the way down or just use a storm jib in the 50 plus I've sailed in. John Lake Mead Sailing Club
Check weather first!
Checking weather before leaving port will give you an idea what you can expect while your out. If winds are forecast to be over 15kts we put the first reef in the main as we raise it and let out only 90% of the genoa. As winds increase we reduce the size of the headsail to adjust the trim and feel of the boat. By the time winds get up to 25kts we are left with approximately 20% of the headsail out and are still set to the first reef on the main. If winds get up to 35kts we think about motoring and heading in.
Checking weather before leaving port will give you an idea what you can expect while your out. If winds are forecast to be over 15kts we put the first reef in the main as we raise it and let out only 90% of the genoa. As winds increase we reduce the size of the headsail to adjust the trim and feel of the boat. By the time winds get up to 25kts we are left with approximately 20% of the headsail out and are still set to the first reef on the main. If winds get up to 35kts we think about motoring and heading in.
How do you... I reef the main
when I only have MacGregor's roller reef system. As soon as I roll the main around the boom, it drops into the cockpit, and we are having to duck under it drastically when tacking. Also it is a hazardif the boom should swing on a jibe. I thought a topping lift would do the trick, but all it did was put a huge bubble in the sail. Please help. I would love to reef with success. Thanks,
when I only have MacGregor's roller reef system. As soon as I roll the main around the boom, it drops into the cockpit, and we are having to duck under it drastically when tacking. Also it is a hazardif the boom should swing on a jibe. I thought a topping lift would do the trick, but all it did was put a huge bubble in the sail. Please help. I would love to reef with success. Thanks,
Main--First up, Last down.
I set the main first. Let the genny out next. The roller for the genny is great. My heavy Islander doesn't mind 25+ kts at all. Over 25 I roll up the genny. I have yet to have to reef the main but I have moved the travler to the lee side to let her stand up a little. As an asside, whenever I have someone that hasn't sailed before and wants to try, I set the main and let them take the helm. The boom is high enough so there is no head banging danger and when they get in the "groove" they can really feel it. When they aren't in the groove there isn't anything they can really hurt. Teaches them about jibing early. Capt Pat
I set the main first. Let the genny out next. The roller for the genny is great. My heavy Islander doesn't mind 25+ kts at all. Over 25 I roll up the genny. I have yet to have to reef the main but I have moved the travler to the lee side to let her stand up a little. As an asside, whenever I have someone that hasn't sailed before and wants to try, I set the main and let them take the helm. The boom is high enough so there is no head banging danger and when they get in the "groove" they can really feel it. When they aren't in the groove there isn't anything they can really hurt. Teaches them about jibing early. Capt Pat
Old School Reefing
We sail a ketch rigged boat, and thus have more choices on how to handle increasing wind speed. Assuming that we are carring full sail, the first thing to be reduced may depend on the sea state... the preferrence would be to hank on the working jib and stow the genoa, or reef the main, depending on conditions. However, if you feel that the wind speed is going to continue to increase, this is the time to put up the staysail, while you have the chance. After that we can reef the mizzen. If the wind is very high (35-40) we'll scandalize the mizzen, raise the staysail and stow any headsail that may be up. Over 40 we'd only be left with a reefed main or reefed main and storm sail and most likely hove to.
We sail a ketch rigged boat, and thus have more choices on how to handle increasing wind speed. Assuming that we are carring full sail, the first thing to be reduced may depend on the sea state... the preferrence would be to hank on the working jib and stow the genoa, or reef the main, depending on conditions. However, if you feel that the wind speed is going to continue to increase, this is the time to put up the staysail, while you have the chance. After that we can reef the mizzen. If the wind is very high (35-40) we'll scandalize the mizzen, raise the staysail and stow any headsail that may be up. Over 40 we'd only be left with a reefed main or reefed main and storm sail and most likely hove to.
the redneck sequence
swing keel oday 25 - 25 years old this year. main, 90% and 130% usually when its blowing that bad i am already flying the main and 90. the only option is to reef the main and hope for the best. if i get caught with the 130 out there, usually reef the main to take the heel out, stick the main traveller all the way in the bucket and hope for the best, if that doesn't work reef the main, if that doesn't work, raise the centerboard as far as i can and still keep some helm, if that doesn't work, cut loose a few of the lower hanks on the genny, hank on the jib in the gap, clear the genny, swap the halyard to the jib, raise the jib, if that doesn't work, get my pooper wet. huggie Buckshot bill aka goofy Comm. SBIBC Charter member - REDNECK YC
swing keel oday 25 - 25 years old this year. main, 90% and 130% usually when its blowing that bad i am already flying the main and 90. the only option is to reef the main and hope for the best. if i get caught with the 130 out there, usually reef the main to take the heel out, stick the main traveller all the way in the bucket and hope for the best, if that doesn't work reef the main, if that doesn't work, raise the centerboard as far as i can and still keep some helm, if that doesn't work, cut loose a few of the lower hanks on the genny, hank on the jib in the gap, clear the genny, swap the halyard to the jib, raise the jib, if that doesn't work, get my pooper wet. huggie Buckshot bill aka goofy Comm. SBIBC Charter member - REDNECK YC
Eager To Reef Early
I've only been sailing 7 years. I started out on a 16 ft. sloop with a swing keel. I moved up to a C22 a few years ago. One of the first things I did was order a CDI furler and a new 150 genoa, 5.9 oz. This year I bought a new main with two reefs. My boat is set up with seperate single line reefing from the cockpit for each reef. I have been reading this thread since I bought the C22, and one of the most important thing I've learned is to REEF EARLY! I preach that to some of my friends, but it seems to fall on deaf ears. When I reef while on the water, I furl the genoa to where the clew hits the upper shroud. I set the topping lift. Then I heave to and allow the main to go to a neutral position, and tie the tiller off hard to leeward. I release the boom vang and then I ease the main halyard to pre-marked spots, and take in the reefing line. I tie off the reef points, and pull the main halyard firm. Set the boom vang again, free up the tiller, and release the jib sheet, and go happily on my way.
I've only been sailing 7 years. I started out on a 16 ft. sloop with a swing keel. I moved up to a C22 a few years ago. One of the first things I did was order a CDI furler and a new 150 genoa, 5.9 oz. This year I bought a new main with two reefs. My boat is set up with seperate single line reefing from the cockpit for each reef. I have been reading this thread since I bought the C22, and one of the most important thing I've learned is to REEF EARLY! I preach that to some of my friends, but it seems to fall on deaf ears. When I reef while on the water, I furl the genoa to where the clew hits the upper shroud. I set the topping lift. Then I heave to and allow the main to go to a neutral position, and tie the tiller off hard to leeward. I release the boom vang and then I ease the main halyard to pre-marked spots, and take in the reefing line. I tie off the reef points, and pull the main halyard firm. Set the boom vang again, free up the tiller, and release the jib sheet, and go happily on my way.
Couldn't Tack in big gust!
I was lake sailing, watching a storm come in. The seas were very calm, this was just a thunder boomer. I needed to sail through a channel to get back to the dock (about 1 1/2 miles long). I was greatful for the wind (it was pretty light that day) and felt that I would be able to close haul right to the dock with some timely tacks. I watched the weather move across the lake and became hugely excited. It hit like a ton of bricks. I could tell "Cabin Pressure" (a '93 Hunter 23.5) was having as much fun as I was. We started to run out of water so I tacked to Starboard. This tack was more towards a broad reach than the port tack, and we heeled to about 30* (still having the time of our lives). But when I started running out of water on the starboard tack, I tried to tack again; but the boat wouldn't respond. My swing keel was fully extended, the helm hard over; but the wind was just pushing the bow sideways. Minutes before we were in the lettuce, I luffed the jib; she finally turned. I set the autohelm in irons and I took down both sails. What did I do wrong? Why couldn't I make the boat turn with both sails up?
I was lake sailing, watching a storm come in. The seas were very calm, this was just a thunder boomer. I needed to sail through a channel to get back to the dock (about 1 1/2 miles long). I was greatful for the wind (it was pretty light that day) and felt that I would be able to close haul right to the dock with some timely tacks. I watched the weather move across the lake and became hugely excited. It hit like a ton of bricks. I could tell "Cabin Pressure" (a '93 Hunter 23.5) was having as much fun as I was. We started to run out of water so I tacked to Starboard. This tack was more towards a broad reach than the port tack, and we heeled to about 30* (still having the time of our lives). But when I started running out of water on the starboard tack, I tried to tack again; but the boat wouldn't respond. My swing keel was fully extended, the helm hard over; but the wind was just pushing the bow sideways. Minutes before we were in the lettuce, I luffed the jib; she finally turned. I set the autohelm in irons and I took down both sails. What did I do wrong? Why couldn't I make the boat turn with both sails up?
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