I am thinking of putting a third reef in my full batten main on our Hunter 280. Is this "overkill" for coastal cruising, or might it come in handy during some wind conditions? Thanks Pete
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Overkill
You'll only use the second reef in 35 mph, and anything bigger than that ought to drive you indoors.
You'll only use the second reef in 35 mph, and anything bigger than that ought to drive you indoors.
3rd Reef
Hi Pete, welcome to the Doyle Sails Forum. We do not usually see a 3rd reef except in larger boats for offshore use. We do sometimes get asked this question. However, it is really up to you If your boat is exceptionally tender, or your crew gets nervous if the boat heels a bit you may wish to consider one, but the other option is to drop the main when you think conditions warrant and sail with the Jib alone. One more thought, if your sail is old and the draft has moved back in the sail, this will cause the boat to heel excessively. A new flatter main may be the answer if you are near replacement time anyway.
Hi Pete, welcome to the Doyle Sails Forum. We do not usually see a 3rd reef except in larger boats for offshore use. We do sometimes get asked this question. However, it is really up to you If your boat is exceptionally tender, or your crew gets nervous if the boat heels a bit you may wish to consider one, but the other option is to drop the main when you think conditions warrant and sail with the Jib alone. One more thought, if your sail is old and the draft has moved back in the sail, this will cause the boat to heel excessively. A new flatter main may be the answer if you are near replacement time anyway.
Thanks Tim & Bill for the input
Appreciate the response you guys-keep up the good work. ~~~~~~pete~~~~~~
Appreciate the response you guys-keep up the good work. ~~~~~~pete~~~~~~
3rd reef
ive got three reef points on my 35.5, ive only used the third reef three times in five years but man was i glad i had them when i needed them, big winds are not exclusive to offshore sailing. for the cost to add them i think they are a good investment.
ive got three reef points on my 35.5, ive only used the third reef three times in five years but man was i glad i had them when i needed them, big winds are not exclusive to offshore sailing. for the cost to add them i think they are a good investment.
Points 2 and 3 on our Doyle Main
We put in points 2 and 3 on the main for our '77 h27 at our sailmakers suggestion. We are happy with this, but 280 is a very different sailplan, so I would take Tim's advice. By the way, replacing the main (original?) that came with Lady Lillie with a new Doyle partial full batten main reduced heel by 5%, and gave 1 to 1.5 more knots in 10 to 15 knot winds. And weather helm went from a problem to easy unless we haven't reefed in time. So Tim is sure right there! David Lady Lillie
We put in points 2 and 3 on the main for our '77 h27 at our sailmakers suggestion. We are happy with this, but 280 is a very different sailplan, so I would take Tim's advice. By the way, replacing the main (original?) that came with Lady Lillie with a new Doyle partial full batten main reduced heel by 5%, and gave 1 to 1.5 more knots in 10 to 15 knot winds. And weather helm went from a problem to easy unless we haven't reefed in time. So Tim is sure right there! David Lady Lillie
And, of course...
...(if you did - good idea, BTW) you'd include the reefing blocks on the boom so that when you needed them they'd be there.
...(if you did - good idea, BTW) you'd include the reefing blocks on the boom so that when you needed them they'd be there.
No... It is not over Kill
I had a third reef put in and I seldom use it, but it's nice to have. If the wind is that strong, the 3+ foot chop I'll have on the water makes sailing unpleasent. But my boat sails much better with both the main and the jib sails flying. So if I need it, it's nice to have available.
I had a third reef put in and I seldom use it, but it's nice to have. If the wind is that strong, the 3+ foot chop I'll have on the water makes sailing unpleasent. But my boat sails much better with both the main and the jib sails flying. So if I need it, it's nice to have available.
Would never leave port without it !
For smaller vessels I agree that one can question the need for a third reef, at least when sailing reasonably well protected waters. As soon as you sail unprotected waters, whether coastal or offshore, there is one overriding reason for a third reef. This is the fact that sooner or later every sailor is going to be in the dreaded situation of having to claw off a lee shore, reef or bank while being caught in a bad blow. In the age of the square-riggers that threat would lay like a cold blanket on a sailor's heart because of poor upwind ability. The point I am trying to make is that as soon as you douse the main and proceed to sail on the jib alone your upwind ability is likely to be not a whole lot better than that of the square riggers of yore...... On the other hand if, in a HARD blow, close-hauling a double-reefed main still causes too much heel and sideslip to clear that looming headland, whereas slacking off the vang or mainsheet and spilling the wind makes you loose too much drive against those big coastal waves, your third reef might just be the ticket. If well designed and put in properly it is amazing how nice a blade even a tired old sail can make (since the top part has stretched least). In combination with the right working jib you might yet make it around that headland and enjoy the rest of the season! Have fun, Flying Dutchman
For smaller vessels I agree that one can question the need for a third reef, at least when sailing reasonably well protected waters. As soon as you sail unprotected waters, whether coastal or offshore, there is one overriding reason for a third reef. This is the fact that sooner or later every sailor is going to be in the dreaded situation of having to claw off a lee shore, reef or bank while being caught in a bad blow. In the age of the square-riggers that threat would lay like a cold blanket on a sailor's heart because of poor upwind ability. The point I am trying to make is that as soon as you douse the main and proceed to sail on the jib alone your upwind ability is likely to be not a whole lot better than that of the square riggers of yore...... On the other hand if, in a HARD blow, close-hauling a double-reefed main still causes too much heel and sideslip to clear that looming headland, whereas slacking off the vang or mainsheet and spilling the wind makes you loose too much drive against those big coastal waves, your third reef might just be the ticket. If well designed and put in properly it is amazing how nice a blade even a tired old sail can make (since the top part has stretched least). In combination with the right working jib you might yet make it around that headland and enjoy the rest of the season! Have fun, Flying Dutchman
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