When do you shorten sail? do you base you decision on wind strength, heel, or combined wind and sea conditions? Do you consider your boat tender, or do you know how to tame it? Share your reefing techniques here, then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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Rich Stidger
As soon as the thought crosses your mind
When to reef is a simple problem for me. It is hard to pin-point a particular wind-speed because it varies according with your point of sail. On my h40.5 I have been comfortable on a beam reach at 25 kt of apparent wind with no reefs and I have put in a double reef at 18 kts of apparent wind on a close haul tack. The point is to be comfortable and in-control as well as not over-stressing your sails. If the conditions become heavy the right time to shorten sail is AS SOON AS THE THOUGHT OCCURS. I never delay because I've found that conditions can worsen quickly. You can always shake out a reef if the wind calms down. An important consideration to reefing is the ease of so doing. If reefing is hard to do, it is easy to hope for calming conditions and not reef. Often this is a mistake as reefing becomes mandatory and then the conditions aren't any easier. If you can't get your sails down, you have a SAFETY issue. Get the equipment to allow you to reef easily. Remember, anybody can get a sail up, but it takes a seaman to get one down.
When to reef is a simple problem for me. It is hard to pin-point a particular wind-speed because it varies according with your point of sail. On my h40.5 I have been comfortable on a beam reach at 25 kt of apparent wind with no reefs and I have put in a double reef at 18 kts of apparent wind on a close haul tack. The point is to be comfortable and in-control as well as not over-stressing your sails. If the conditions become heavy the right time to shorten sail is AS SOON AS THE THOUGHT OCCURS. I never delay because I've found that conditions can worsen quickly. You can always shake out a reef if the wind calms down. An important consideration to reefing is the ease of so doing. If reefing is hard to do, it is easy to hope for calming conditions and not reef. Often this is a mistake as reefing becomes mandatory and then the conditions aren't any easier. If you can't get your sails down, you have a SAFETY issue. Get the equipment to allow you to reef easily. Remember, anybody can get a sail up, but it takes a seaman to get one down.
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Eric
Hard to say
The question is dificult to answer since one doesn't now what the assumption is as relates to the size of the headsail. I carry a 150 on roller furling and prefer to reef the main and leave more headsail up on a 28.5, then reduce the head sail. Do you keep a full main and shorten the headsail down to a storm sail first? Interesting question.
The question is dificult to answer since one doesn't now what the assumption is as relates to the size of the headsail. I carry a 150 on roller furling and prefer to reef the main and leave more headsail up on a 28.5, then reduce the head sail. Do you keep a full main and shorten the headsail down to a storm sail first? Interesting question.
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John Allison
Not any easy question
I own a 1979 Hunter 25. I have both jiffy reefing and roller furling. We have a had a lot of 15 to 25 knot days here this year and I single hand a lot so quite often I go out with my main under wraps and my 155 Genoa reefed in until I feel that I can comfortably handle the craft. When I fly both sails, which I prefer to do, I listen to the marine reports and watch my wind meter prior to leaving the dock. At 18 or above, I reef PRIOR TO leaving the dock ..... saves wear and tear on me. Although I have reefed underway, I prefer to leave the dock reefed and, should the winds not live up to predictions, it is easier to shake out the reef than to put it in. As far as tenderness. I find my 25 tender up to 10 to 15 degrees of heel at which time the keel's weight takes over and she settles down and hardens up. I have had her over 40 to 45 degrees without rounding up but that is with several others on board (do not like to be even close to this much heel when soloing). I will say this, that at no time have I found tiller control force to be excessive (ie more than one hand can handle). I have heard others complain about the excessive tiller force required just before rounding up but the only times that I have rounded up, the tiller tended to "tremble" (for want of a better word) and then became unresponsive. This "shaky" warning gives me enough time to ease the sail or head up a little. All-in-all, I find my boat easy to handle even in strong winds, easily controlled, reefing (with a little foresight) rather easy, and quite comfortable under sail.
I own a 1979 Hunter 25. I have both jiffy reefing and roller furling. We have a had a lot of 15 to 25 knot days here this year and I single hand a lot so quite often I go out with my main under wraps and my 155 Genoa reefed in until I feel that I can comfortably handle the craft. When I fly both sails, which I prefer to do, I listen to the marine reports and watch my wind meter prior to leaving the dock. At 18 or above, I reef PRIOR TO leaving the dock ..... saves wear and tear on me. Although I have reefed underway, I prefer to leave the dock reefed and, should the winds not live up to predictions, it is easier to shake out the reef than to put it in. As far as tenderness. I find my 25 tender up to 10 to 15 degrees of heel at which time the keel's weight takes over and she settles down and hardens up. I have had her over 40 to 45 degrees without rounding up but that is with several others on board (do not like to be even close to this much heel when soloing). I will say this, that at no time have I found tiller control force to be excessive (ie more than one hand can handle). I have heard others complain about the excessive tiller force required just before rounding up but the only times that I have rounded up, the tiller tended to "tremble" (for want of a better word) and then became unresponsive. This "shaky" warning gives me enough time to ease the sail or head up a little. All-in-all, I find my boat easy to handle even in strong winds, easily controlled, reefing (with a little foresight) rather easy, and quite comfortable under sail.
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John Allison
Reply to Eric
Eric, If already out when the wind pipes up, I prefer to keep the full head sail and reef in the genoa. Do not know if this is the proper thing to do but I feel it is the safest course of action (especially when singlehanding). Otherwise, I reef at the dock as I pointed out in my other response.
Eric, If already out when the wind pipes up, I prefer to keep the full head sail and reef in the genoa. Do not know if this is the proper thing to do but I feel it is the safest course of action (especially when singlehanding). Otherwise, I reef at the dock as I pointed out in my other response.
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Richard Skipworth
One other consideration
I have one main consideration when I sail and that is the comfort of my wife! We tend to reef early (when the boat starts heeling 15-20 degrees) in the following order: Main first, then 150, then 135, 2nd reef in main, 110, no main, go home or motor. It also depends on the point of sail. My wife is much more comfortable on a reach than on a beat, but sometimes that can't be controled. Lastly, if I start to get excessive wheather helm, I will put in at least a single reef. My time to do it is just when the first response said, when you first think about it!! Our time on the boat is supposed to be fun for us, not just me. I may loose a little speed or pointing ability, but I still have a wife and crew when we are done!
I have one main consideration when I sail and that is the comfort of my wife! We tend to reef early (when the boat starts heeling 15-20 degrees) in the following order: Main first, then 150, then 135, 2nd reef in main, 110, no main, go home or motor. It also depends on the point of sail. My wife is much more comfortable on a reach than on a beat, but sometimes that can't be controled. Lastly, if I start to get excessive wheather helm, I will put in at least a single reef. My time to do it is just when the first response said, when you first think about it!! Our time on the boat is supposed to be fun for us, not just me. I may loose a little speed or pointing ability, but I still have a wife and crew when we are done!
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Roger Mummah
When we reef
You may know that Endless Summer, with Susie and I aboard just returned from the Exsumas, Bahamas. The wind there, during the winter is pretty strong. We like to move when the winds are predicted to be no mre than 10-15 knots with seas less than 4'. Weather forecasts lie. Unless we know the winds will be light (10 knots or less) we start a sailng day with one reef in the main. Seas and winds are usually more than predicted rather than less. It is easier to remove a reef in calmer seas than put one in on a rolling cabin top, especially when you are in the middle of the gulf stream. We roll out the genoa until we are comfortable with the heel angle (with the single reefed main). If the winds are light enough we shake out the reef and unroll the genoa all the way. We usually don't reef underway. We'll drop the main and sail on with just the genoa. We find it faster and less dangerous to drop the main and tie it down than reef the main. We usually drop the main just after we should have. We see the wind gusts coming and have a little debate. When the wind hits the boat we do it. Always just AFTER we should have. We do feel that the Hunter 31 is tippy (tender) which is why we start a sailing day into unknown conditions with one reef in the main.
You may know that Endless Summer, with Susie and I aboard just returned from the Exsumas, Bahamas. The wind there, during the winter is pretty strong. We like to move when the winds are predicted to be no mre than 10-15 knots with seas less than 4'. Weather forecasts lie. Unless we know the winds will be light (10 knots or less) we start a sailng day with one reef in the main. Seas and winds are usually more than predicted rather than less. It is easier to remove a reef in calmer seas than put one in on a rolling cabin top, especially when you are in the middle of the gulf stream. We roll out the genoa until we are comfortable with the heel angle (with the single reefed main). If the winds are light enough we shake out the reef and unroll the genoa all the way. We usually don't reef underway. We'll drop the main and sail on with just the genoa. We find it faster and less dangerous to drop the main and tie it down than reef the main. We usually drop the main just after we should have. We see the wind gusts coming and have a little debate. When the wind hits the boat we do it. Always just AFTER we should have. We do feel that the Hunter 31 is tippy (tender) which is why we start a sailing day into unknown conditions with one reef in the main.
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Jim Gorman
When Do I Reef
I have put a retro fit main furling rig on board and will reef when the wind gets over 20 kts. It is simple with the "in the mast furling" so, we don't need to go on deck to do it. Reccomended at 20 kts because the 34 is too tender to wait !!!! Fair winds
I have put a retro fit main furling rig on board and will reef when the wind gets over 20 kts. It is simple with the "in the mast furling" so, we don't need to go on deck to do it. Reccomended at 20 kts because the 34 is too tender to wait !!!! Fair winds
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Gary Wyngarden
Reefing and Weather Helm
I have a 1992 Hunter 335. My first indication that it's time to reef is usually signalled by too much weather helm. The harder she blows the more my 335 wants to point up. It would be easier to furl the genoa than reef the main, but that would be exactly the wrong thing to do with excess weather helm. I'll take a couple of reefs in the main before reducing my 150 genoa. After that, it's probably time to head in.
I have a 1992 Hunter 335. My first indication that it's time to reef is usually signalled by too much weather helm. The harder she blows the more my 335 wants to point up. It would be easier to furl the genoa than reef the main, but that would be exactly the wrong thing to do with excess weather helm. I'll take a couple of reefs in the main before reducing my 150 genoa. After that, it's probably time to head in.
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Ron Johnson
22 Degrees
Amount of heel and weather helm are excellent remainders to reef. As long as the rudder isn't cavitating and the heel is less than 22 degrees ride the gust and gain some leeway. It isn't a gust? Put the reef in and be comfortable.
Amount of heel and weather helm are excellent remainders to reef. As long as the rudder isn't cavitating and the heel is less than 22 degrees ride the gust and gain some leeway. It isn't a gust? Put the reef in and be comfortable.
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Gary Bridi
My Reef Signs
I Have a h23 winged keel and I it sail on a lake in PA I also charter larger boats in the Chesapeake Bay. On the lake, I look at the sustaind winds which I judge by the water condition the degree of heel is not a big deal as I can control that by easing the sails. My 1st reaction to strong sustained wind is to furl the headsail. Next is to reef the main. On the bay, I use the same guides, but also look for squall lines. and monitor the weather radio. Squall lines in sight are an immediate signal to reef the main and furl the headsail. Same is true on the lake, but it does not happen very often there as compared to the bay. Gary Bridi
I Have a h23 winged keel and I it sail on a lake in PA I also charter larger boats in the Chesapeake Bay. On the lake, I look at the sustaind winds which I judge by the water condition the degree of heel is not a big deal as I can control that by easing the sails. My 1st reaction to strong sustained wind is to furl the headsail. Next is to reef the main. On the bay, I use the same guides, but also look for squall lines. and monitor the weather radio. Squall lines in sight are an immediate signal to reef the main and furl the headsail. Same is true on the lake, but it does not happen very often there as compared to the bay. Gary Bridi
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Greg Beckner
15 degrees
On our Passage 420 the rule is no more than 15 degrees of heel to avoid a mutiny. My wife has placed an inclinometer at the helm station with a big red circle aroung the 15. Needless to say it doesn't take much wind to get this very tender boat to 15 degrees so we reef alot, always starting with the main. On the other hand I have found that the boat isn't really much faster at 20 degrees than at 15. We do alot of sailing with 2 reefs and full jib and generally get 6.5-7 kts towing a dink so the boat may be tender but also pretty fast. We cruise not race so keeping it fun is priority one. Greg Beckner S/V Champagne Girl
On our Passage 420 the rule is no more than 15 degrees of heel to avoid a mutiny. My wife has placed an inclinometer at the helm station with a big red circle aroung the 15. Needless to say it doesn't take much wind to get this very tender boat to 15 degrees so we reef alot, always starting with the main. On the other hand I have found that the boat isn't really much faster at 20 degrees than at 15. We do alot of sailing with 2 reefs and full jib and generally get 6.5-7 kts towing a dink so the boat may be tender but also pretty fast. We cruise not race so keeping it fun is priority one. Greg Beckner S/V Champagne Girl
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Russell Egge
When she says "I don't like this"
Went out saturday with 25+ knot gusts on the bay and quickly went to the second reef. (20-25 degrees is marginal, anything close to 30 is cause for reefing) We have marked the reef points on the main halyard, this speeds reefing in those conditions. By the way, we shake out the reef when broad reaching as long as the ride is comfortable. Russell
Went out saturday with 25+ knot gusts on the bay and quickly went to the second reef. (20-25 degrees is marginal, anything close to 30 is cause for reefing) We have marked the reef points on the main halyard, this speeds reefing in those conditions. By the way, we shake out the reef when broad reaching as long as the ride is comfortable. Russell
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A.L. ("Jim") Willis Pres of ISLAND GIRL PROD.
When really windy try a trysail!
I think that we would all concur that reefing sooner is better than later. I fixed my boat up for singlehanded ocian sailing. After a while I learned to see squalls on the radar and would get prepared by rolling up a lot of the jib. At night I usually had a reef or two in the main when sailing in the trades. I was advised that my mainsail was not strong enough for a thrid jiffy reef, so I took advise from the people at North Sails in SF and had a trysail (and storm jib too) made. The latter was only really used with the genoa in a beam reach cutter arrangement. When it was really windy approacing 4 o nots (and I got scared) I took down the main and used the same halyard to raise a storn trysail on a separate track. I could take down the main without turning into the wind because of the batslide system. In the end, I kept the trysail in its track and lashed with sail ties to the boom, ready to go up at any time. Instead of "loose footing it" I tied it to the boom, Next time I am going to arange some sort of auxillary outhaul. With the jib and trysail I sailed over a week in trades & sqaualls and jibing usingthe autopilot was a breeze (no pun intended!). Jim W
I think that we would all concur that reefing sooner is better than later. I fixed my boat up for singlehanded ocian sailing. After a while I learned to see squalls on the radar and would get prepared by rolling up a lot of the jib. At night I usually had a reef or two in the main when sailing in the trades. I was advised that my mainsail was not strong enough for a thrid jiffy reef, so I took advise from the people at North Sails in SF and had a trysail (and storm jib too) made. The latter was only really used with the genoa in a beam reach cutter arrangement. When it was really windy approacing 4 o nots (and I got scared) I took down the main and used the same halyard to raise a storn trysail on a separate track. I could take down the main without turning into the wind because of the batslide system. In the end, I kept the trysail in its track and lashed with sail ties to the boom, ready to go up at any time. Instead of "loose footing it" I tied it to the boom, Next time I am going to arange some sort of auxillary outhaul. With the jib and trysail I sailed over a week in trades & sqaualls and jibing usingthe autopilot was a breeze (no pun intended!). Jim W
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Mike Pajewski
Depends who's onboard
On Loon, we typically reef around 12-15 knots. Water ballast, big mainsails and brisk winds make for bad weather helm. Now if the better half is onboard, we reef based on the loud gnashing of teeth when the boat begins to heel more than 15 degrees. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
On Loon, we typically reef around 12-15 knots. Water ballast, big mainsails and brisk winds make for bad weather helm. Now if the better half is onboard, we reef based on the loud gnashing of teeth when the boat begins to heel more than 15 degrees. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
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Jay Hill
H31 Reefing
good example just tonight: Took a knockdown while still in the slip. (Well, not really, but close.) Got a 51K gust through the region just as I was preparing to go out (figures). One of the big boat docks came completely loose and crashed into another dock. (Thanks goodness for insurance, no?) Anyway, the reef plan on Salty Dog: (I only have a working jib, no roller furling) 0-16K: Full Sail 17-22K: Single Reef Main and Full Jib 23-26K: Double Reef Main and Full Jib 26K - 30K: Jib Only 30K+: Double Reef only If I had other sails: 34K+: Storm Jib and Double Reef Main 38K+: Storm Jib Only 40K+ Trisail only 45K+: OK, that's enough, launch the sea anchor, dual drogues, or crank the motor 50K+: Only on accident, pray a lot
good example just tonight: Took a knockdown while still in the slip. (Well, not really, but close.) Got a 51K gust through the region just as I was preparing to go out (figures). One of the big boat docks came completely loose and crashed into another dock. (Thanks goodness for insurance, no?) Anyway, the reef plan on Salty Dog: (I only have a working jib, no roller furling) 0-16K: Full Sail 17-22K: Single Reef Main and Full Jib 23-26K: Double Reef Main and Full Jib 26K - 30K: Jib Only 30K+: Double Reef only If I had other sails: 34K+: Storm Jib and Double Reef Main 38K+: Storm Jib Only 40K+ Trisail only 45K+: OK, that's enough, launch the sea anchor, dual drogues, or crank the motor 50K+: Only on accident, pray a lot
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ted
archives
i was a little worried when i found a lot of weather helm on our 26.5 when the wind was up to a guessed 16-18 knots. having been on small dingies back in britain most of my life, reefing was more a matter of how much wind you could take, rather than the boat - best to explain briefly here. lasst season, i went into the archives of this most excellent site, boat specs. section, etc., etc. and found several references to our particular boat including several 'trial' reports from two obviously experienced skippers of 26.5's, a reef is usually necessary to maintain performance above approx. 16 knots of wind. we have been doing this to confirm what we already knew but i was uncertain about. worries of whether the for and aft stays were out, even a unseen bend in the mast, bent keel, etc.,etc.,etc. were eliminated!! hope this will be of use to someone. the archives are an excellent source of information. ted.
i was a little worried when i found a lot of weather helm on our 26.5 when the wind was up to a guessed 16-18 knots. having been on small dingies back in britain most of my life, reefing was more a matter of how much wind you could take, rather than the boat - best to explain briefly here. lasst season, i went into the archives of this most excellent site, boat specs. section, etc., etc. and found several references to our particular boat including several 'trial' reports from two obviously experienced skippers of 26.5's, a reef is usually necessary to maintain performance above approx. 16 knots of wind. we have been doing this to confirm what we already knew but i was uncertain about. worries of whether the for and aft stays were out, even a unseen bend in the mast, bent keel, etc.,etc.,etc. were eliminated!! hope this will be of use to someone. the archives are an excellent source of information. ted.
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David Foster
15% on Shallow Draft '27
During our shake-down training on Lady Lillie, our 27 foot 'shallow draft '27, Carl Romig of Adventure Plus in Sandusky, OH, reported recent studies conclude that most cruising hulls gain no more to beating to windward when heeling beyond 20 degrees. Experiments with Ladie Lillie in 15-25 knots in Sanusky Bay showed that she sideslips pretty dramatically (15-20 degrees course steered to made good on the GPS)) when we heeled consistently beyond 15 degrees. So our rule is reef the main beyond that point. That reduces the weather helm, and keeps her within 5 degrees of her heading. We reef the main first, because roller reefing means that the jib or genny is easily reefed, even if the weather rapidly worsens. We find it easy to reef after heaving to. Of course, in that weather, we are both wearing harnesses and are clipped on to the jack lines.
During our shake-down training on Lady Lillie, our 27 foot 'shallow draft '27, Carl Romig of Adventure Plus in Sandusky, OH, reported recent studies conclude that most cruising hulls gain no more to beating to windward when heeling beyond 20 degrees. Experiments with Ladie Lillie in 15-25 knots in Sanusky Bay showed that she sideslips pretty dramatically (15-20 degrees course steered to made good on the GPS)) when we heeled consistently beyond 15 degrees. So our rule is reef the main beyond that point. That reduces the weather helm, and keeps her within 5 degrees of her heading. We reef the main first, because roller reefing means that the jib or genny is easily reefed, even if the weather rapidly worsens. We find it easy to reef after heaving to. Of course, in that weather, we are both wearing harnesses and are clipped on to the jack lines.
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HOW Editorial
Final results
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 6/25/2000: When do you reef? 41% 16-18 kts (153) 32% 19-21 kts (120) 11% 13-15 kts (42) 10% 22 or more (37)
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 6/25/2000: When do you reef? 41% 16-18 kts (153) 32% 19-21 kts (120) 11% 13-15 kts (42) 10% 22 or more (37)
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