trying to figure out the reefing on the pearson

[tipsyravensailing]

starboard boom. the 2 reefing points are not above the 3 cheek bloks. there's a long line mounted permanently up where the vang ties in with a cleat. the rings i think is part of a lazy jacks system that is now gone.

port boom. cheekblock at the vang for unknown use. heavy fairleads (rope attachment points?) also opposite of the cheek blocks on the stbrd.

i can confirm the sail has primary and secondary reefs, and that there's a reef tack, a reef clew, and then the grommet between the two... dont have a name for that.

in light of the suggestions made on the shakedown post i'm ... still a little lost how best to reef this sail shy of a wide throat vice grip pliers halp? i can provide additional pictures of the boom (older photos from the mast rebuild project)

 

[dlochner]

On the port side of the boom there should be 2 attachment points for the 1st and 2nd reefs.

The reef lines will follow the luff of the sail up through the grommet and down to the blocks on the Starboard side. When reefed, the outhaul is useless, so the reef lines are aft of the sail when reefed. This allow tension in the new "foot" of the sail. The line should go forward from the blocks on the starboard side to a cleat or something to secure them.

At the luff, there should be 3 or maybe 4 tack grommets. The lowest one is the usual full hoist tack. If the next one is just above it and close, it could be a cunningham. The reef tack grommets should be in line with the reef grommets on the sail's leech.

When reefed, all the tension on the sail is on the reef tack in the front of the sail and the reef grommet in the aft end of the sail, these become the new tack and clew. The 3 or 4 grommets in the middle of the sail are only there to help bundle up the extra sail cloth. The are helpful, but not necessary, they make the whole package look neater and keep the extra sail cloth from billowing. Probably more important on the second reef than the first.

 

[tipsyravensailing]

ah - that makes sense why the blocks and lead hardware (where the line would tie to then) are so far back. with only one cleat how do you keep the secondary reef line from slapping about?it'd be hanging loose from the block there, ... same for when there's no reefing, the lines would be loose.

That implies then to reef i release the outhaul, let it slack, loosen the halyard, bring the reef clew to the hook, pull the corresponding reefing line and cleat it, reengage the the halyard?

 

[dlochner]

ah - that makes sense why the blocks and lead hardware (where the line would tie to then) are so far back. with only one cleat how do you keep the secondary reef line from slapping about?it'd be hanging loose from the block there, ... same for when there's no reefing, the lines would be loose.

I wouldn't worry about the second reef. You probably wouldn't put that in until the wind gets up close to 30 knots and you have the jib furled up to a handkerchief size.

Just coil the line and hang it from the cleat. There should be some slack in the line or it will affect the shape of the leech when it is not being used.

That implies then to reef i release the outhaul, let it slack, loosen the halyard, bring the reef clew to the hook, pull the corresponding reefing line and cleat it, reengage the the halyard?

To reef:

1. Slack the halyard and lower the sail to the reef point.
2. Hook the reef tack on the horns.
3 . Raise the halyard to tighten the luff.
4. Pull the reef line to pull the leech down to the boom.
5. Tighten and cleat the reefing line.
6. (optional) Bundle up the sail and tie it off with the reef lines in the middle of the sail.

No need to touch the outhaul.

 

[justsomeguy]

6. (optional) Bundle up the sail and tie it off with the reef lines in the middle of the sail.

And NOT TIGHTLY, or the wind will rip out the grommets.

Just sayin'...

 

[tipsyravensailing]

legit. i'm looking at 20 kn winds this weekend so i gota have this beast in place before i go willy nilly.

Any ideas why that 30 some odd feet of rope is permanently attached to the boom up by the reefing cleat / boom vang attachment? make more sense for it to be permanently attached at the fair leads at the aft end of the boom right?

you mentioned furling the headsail - right now i'm furling the line without the winch and cleating, i presume that that approach is sufficent for reefing the headsail?

 

[dlochner]

you mentioned furling the headsail - right now i'm furling the line without the winch and cleating, i presume that that approach is sufficent for reefing the headsail?

Yes. It is best to never put a winch on a furling line as it can damage the furler and then you're screwed. Often when furlers are hard to turn, the line is caught on something or there is a foul wrap in the drum. A third problem is a slack forestay, make sure there is enough tension on it.

Any ideas why that 30 some odd feet of rope is permanently attached to the boom up by the reefing cleat / boom vang attachment? make more sense for it to be permanently attached at the fair leads at the aft end of the boom right?

Who knows what evil lurks in the minds of previous owners???

Normally, the line is left attached at the attachment point on the aft end of the boom, run through the reef point on the leech, through the block and to a cleat. Leaving it in place means there is one less thing to do when it is time to reef, which never happens when the seas are calm and you have time to think.

 

[Joe]

Plenty of youtube vids on this subject.... here's a good one.

 

[jssailem]

Ideas for you.
Reefing from at the mast is not a bad idea. It is a personal choice. I set my reefing at the mast. All accomplished on the port side.

First you lower the sail by releasing the halyard and either tie the tack reefpoint to the goose neck or hook the sails reef tack around the reef hook.

Then you tie down the clew reef point to the boom. If you have a line running up to the reef point and back to the boom you pull the reef point tightly o the boom.

Now you are ready to raise the main up tightening the luff.

Finally you can gather the loose foot of the sail snugging the loose foot up to the reef tie points along the reefed sail. Do not ties the sail to the boom. The reefing points are not reinforced and this will create the possibuuty to rip the sail. The only reinforced points are the reef tack and the reef clew.