I'm having a bit of difficulty with my single-line reefing with a fully battened main - excess friction in the set-up makes it difficult to use and even more difficult to 'un-reef'. I have heard of other sailers having similar problems. Does any one have any insights into tricks to make single-line reefing work better (I generally sail short handed and don't want to go up to mast) or are there better arrangements or does nothing beat a furling main (which we are thinking of!)
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Two solutions
I don't know anyone who doesn't like the idea of single line reefing, but it rarely works as well as it is hoped. The easiest and most expensive solution is a roller furling main in the mast. The inmast roller furling main is really nice these days and I think the bugs have been worked out for quite some time. If you dont want to buy a new main and mast and furling system then it is simple enought to have a two line reefing system where both lines are lead to the cockpit. Also try to eliminate extra friction as much as possible. If you have a large boat with a full battened sail you'll want batt cars with ball learing riding on a track. For smaller boats a clean lubed mast slot and oversize slides will help. My boat hade smaller than needed slides and they actually would bind in the slot. Going to the next size slide was cheap and it made a difference.
I don't know anyone who doesn't like the idea of single line reefing, but it rarely works as well as it is hoped. The easiest and most expensive solution is a roller furling main in the mast. The inmast roller furling main is really nice these days and I think the bugs have been worked out for quite some time. If you dont want to buy a new main and mast and furling system then it is simple enought to have a two line reefing system where both lines are lead to the cockpit. Also try to eliminate extra friction as much as possible. If you have a large boat with a full battened sail you'll want batt cars with ball learing riding on a track. For smaller boats a clean lubed mast slot and oversize slides will help. My boat hade smaller than needed slides and they actually would bind in the slot. Going to the next size slide was cheap and it made a difference.
Heave to to reef
That's my procedure. It's easy to do single handed. It does involve a trip to the mast, but that's easy with the boat relaxed. Of course, I'm wearing a harness and tether on jacklines whenever I single hand. David Lady Lillie
That's my procedure. It's easy to do single handed. It does involve a trip to the mast, but that's easy with the boat relaxed. Of course, I'm wearing a harness and tether on jacklines whenever I single hand. David Lady Lillie
Reefing
Martin The search engine on the archives on this website is great. 55 hits on "single line reefing." I'm willing to bet that if you tried "reefing" you'd get even more good reading material. Happy reading. Stu
Martin The search engine on the archives on this website is great. 55 hits on "single line reefing." I'm willing to bet that if you tried "reefing" you'd get even more good reading material. Happy reading. Stu
Several things you can do will
make a big difference. Lubrication - be sure the slugs/slides and track are well lubricated with a dry lubricant like McLube. Makes all the difference. Strong track - look in the archives for information on this simple product. No ball bearings to lose. No complicated parts. Costs about $25 per foot of mast plus some sail mods.
make a big difference. Lubrication - be sure the slugs/slides and track are well lubricated with a dry lubricant like McLube. Makes all the difference. Strong track - look in the archives for information on this simple product. No ball bearings to lose. No complicated parts. Costs about $25 per foot of mast plus some sail mods.
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