Single line reefing question

[Keith1654]

Does anyone see a problem of instead of tying off the single line reefing to the mast bring the line back on the boom and having it tied off to a cleat there? Since I sail singlehanded most times, I am trying to set it up so I don't have to go forward to often. I am trying to bring the halyard line back to the back of boat so that I can raise the main will still having control of the tiller. This would also make it easier to reef while sailing since all the lines would be controlled from the back of boat. For the single line reefing system, I would just add a block to both side of the boom near the gooseneck and an additional cleat to tie off to.Thanks for any feedback,KeithHunter 146

 

[John P12803]

Bringing Lines Aft

Keith, There is a wealth of information around about bringing lines aft for singlehanded sailing. Almost all boats in my marina are set up this way. The reefing is a good point as well. My boat is not currently set up to bring the luff end reef point back to the cockpit, but rather, it gets cleated on the mast. I would like to remedy that someday.

 

[Brian]

Single line reefing

Here is what I found. When sailing alone, the easiest way for me to reef was to heave too, or hove too, however you say it. When the boat is in this position, the mainsail is always off to the starboard or port side. If the line is to be cleated off on the boom, you will have to pull the boom towards the center of the boat to reach the line. This will fill the mainsail and start the boat to sail off the hove too position. With the reefing line cleated at the mast, you can heave too and have lunch if you want, so you have plenty of time to reef. You will have to have a tiller tamer to keep the tiller in the proper position. Worked every time on my 170 and now on my Hunter 23.Brian