single handed sailing

[David]

Thanks

Most appreciated. Probably heading out to the St. Johns right now and looks like a reef is in order!David (Sea Monkeys)

 

[Jeff Peltier]

single line reefing

I have had single line reefing set up on my 260 now for 3 years. Out of the boom, down to a turning block, up to a block on the cringe, back down to the base. I added a double deck organizer on the starboard side with a 4 pack of clutches so the reefing line is run back to the cockpit next to the main halyard. This makes for quick changes in sail area when racing. Just before the windward mark, we pull it out on windy days, and put it back in just after rounding the leeward mark. Good practice for the real world and gets us around the course a little faster on windy days.PS: I, also, have had the in boom reefing line break out in the ocean. It's a matter of dropping the main, regrouping, and then improvising. This boat had a secound reefing line in the boom, which we repositioned in the reef we wanted, and put it back up.Jeff Peltier

 

[Al]

reefing line breaking

I'm somewhat surprised to hear that the reefing has broken for people. It seemed to me that the line itself should be strong enough. Where has the break occurred? Is it due to chaffing in the boom from rivets and/or screws used for bails, etc? I suppose this line needs to be removed and inspected more often than I thought...

 

[Al]

David, pictures are at...

http://homepage.mac.com/apcastro/PhotoAlbum3.html

 

[David]

Thanks so much

I appreciate it, heading to your site now. On another note, it's amazing what happens when you have a diver scrape all the gunk off the bottom of the boat. I'm thinking that's why she's been so horrible to sail recently!David

 

[Wanderer138]

Reef line breaking (for Al)

Turning a line over a block is one of the fastest ways to wear it, especially if it's under a lot of load. That's why block manufacturers recommend a range of line sizes to be used on a given sheave. A sheave that is too small will accelerate line wear.That's also why some people suggest cutting a foot or two off the ends of the halyards and sheets each season, so that a new section of the line can take the wear over the sheaves (and through the cleats and rope clutches to a lesser extent). This probably applies more to those who sail a lot, but I'll bet that there are lots of people out there who are still using the original running rigging that came with the boat from the factory. This is part of the sense of false security I was alluding to earlier.PeterH23 "Raven"

 

[Al]

Thanks Peter

nm