Roll Reefing the Main?

[Josh]

Just curious, I've read a few references to reefing the main by rolling it on the boom. Is this done by most? How is it done? Do you have to slide the front of the boom up and out of the mast first? What about the hardware on the mast, will this cause any damage? as tension is again brought onto the sails?Thanks,Josh

 

[Mike Basham]

I Don't, but

The gooseneck on the boom of my 23' is made such that you can pull the boom away from the mast and rotate it. The attachment point of the mainsheet also swivels. So, without taking the boom off, you can roll up the mainsail to reef it. But since I've added a boom vang, I can't do that, so I just slab reef it when I need to. Hope this helps!

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Roller Reefing Main

Josh -As Mike describes, the boom pivots around the gooseneck and the sail rolls around the boom. I don't care for that system because its hard to use and because it results in a crappy sail shape. My daysailer reef was like that, and I changed it slab reefing for ease of use and sailshape.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Josh]

Hmm, how do you...

...get the gooseneck to swivel? I could swear mine was solid. I have a 1978 if that matters. The mainsheet mount does pivot though. Please explain 'slab' reefing as well. Just standard reefing with the reef lines mounted on the sail, or something else?Josh

 

[Mike Basham]

You've got it

"Slab reefing" is the method in which you pull the mainsail down to the reefing points, reattach the new tack and clew, and then tie the reefing points along the new foot of the sail. It takes a "slab" out of the mainsail! And makes the boat heel a lot less in a stiff breeze! But alas, it also makes you go slower (depower)!