i have owned and few and sailed on so many i cant count, i hear all the (and dont take this the wrong way but) the older sailers at the marinas, and they do have the best stories, talk about sailing and reefing there sails, ive even hear sailers talk about reefing when i didnt think there was any wind, but when you look at all the sailing books& magazines and read all the sailing stories and look at all the pictures of sailboats, all out balls to the walls on the water, ect you almost never see one reefed, now granted its hard to get a good picture in a storm but for all the sailors that say they reef and that person should reef, you would think sail makers would just start making smaller sails. I really think sailors just want to sound like they are the safest boaters on the water and in most cases id say we are but come on does everone really reef as much as they say the do, or is it more fun to push the limit and say you did or in most cases (that person should reef) when a group of sailers is standing at the docks. just a thought.
Who really reefs down there sails??
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if you want to go faster...
...and the wind is blowing hard enough to heel you too much you'll reef; going upwind, you can always let the sails out for way too much wind(as well as more sail adjustments that I am starting to learn a little) but that will slow you down more than reefing with your sails trimmed correctly. Or, if the wind is blowing really hard you reef for safety, as well as speed. I'm pretty new to the sport, so the above may not be entirely correct, but as far as I know it is.
...and the wind is blowing hard enough to heel you too much you'll reef; going upwind, you can always let the sails out for way too much wind(as well as more sail adjustments that I am starting to learn a little) but that will slow you down more than reefing with your sails trimmed correctly. Or, if the wind is blowing really hard you reef for safety, as well as speed. I'm pretty new to the sport, so the above may not be entirely correct, but as far as I know it is.
When required
I started out with a 16 ft. Neptune, and I reefed frequently. I stepped up to a C22, and sail on Pymatuning Lake, which is shallow, and chops up quickly. I just purchased a new mainsail, and I spent the extra money for a second set of reefing cringles. I got the chance last week, when the gusts kept knocking me over and rounding me up with the first reef in and about 100% on my furling 150% genoa. I put the second reef in and reduced the genoa another wrap, and still was sailing at about 5.2 to 5.5 knots! I think it makes for a more enjoyable day of sailing when you can sail flat and fast!
I started out with a 16 ft. Neptune, and I reefed frequently. I stepped up to a C22, and sail on Pymatuning Lake, which is shallow, and chops up quickly. I just purchased a new mainsail, and I spent the extra money for a second set of reefing cringles. I got the chance last week, when the gusts kept knocking me over and rounding me up with the first reef in and about 100% on my furling 150% genoa. I put the second reef in and reduced the genoa another wrap, and still was sailing at about 5.2 to 5.5 knots! I think it makes for a more enjoyable day of sailing when you can sail flat and fast!
but of course we reef
balls to the wall is fun for a little while but for the most part and as we say; a flat boat is a fast boat. so if you want to go as fast as possible reefing is one of your tools to do so furthermore a flat boat is far more comfortable especially for the land lubbers you may have on board. so but of course we reef and if we think we need to reef then we do need to reef and we do reef we really really do. just plain common sence. a big sail that you can reef is good in light and heavy air. if you only had small sails on board then you could only sail in heavy air.
balls to the wall is fun for a little while but for the most part and as we say; a flat boat is a fast boat. so if you want to go as fast as possible reefing is one of your tools to do so furthermore a flat boat is far more comfortable especially for the land lubbers you may have on board. so but of course we reef and if we think we need to reef then we do need to reef and we do reef we really really do. just plain common sence. a big sail that you can reef is good in light and heavy air. if you only had small sails on board then you could only sail in heavy air.
When
1/ Photographers do not go out on helicopters when it is raining, or blowing too hard. 2/ Boats going downwind (cruising) are less likely to reef, since the apparent wind is less. 3/ Boats going upwind (more likely to be racing) are more likely to reef, since it will improve their performance. 3. It makes more sense to have enough sail area to make the boat go in the prevailing (light) summer wind, since it is easier to reef a large sail than sew more cloth onto an existing sail under way. 4/ People who know what they are doing reef their sails when they need to. Perhaps they sail in heavier weather because they don't have a harbor to duck into 100 miles offshore. Maybe they know their boat will take 40 knots of breeze with two reefs in the main and no jib because they've tried it before. Maybe they don't like blown out sails, and reef early. We put in our first reef (upwind) when it starts to blow about 25. We haven't reefed downwind yet, but we've flown the spinnaker in 30 knots of wind too. It depends on the boat. It depends on the crew. It's a big ocean, and it It takes all types.
1/ Photographers do not go out on helicopters when it is raining, or blowing too hard. 2/ Boats going downwind (cruising) are less likely to reef, since the apparent wind is less. 3/ Boats going upwind (more likely to be racing) are more likely to reef, since it will improve their performance. 3. It makes more sense to have enough sail area to make the boat go in the prevailing (light) summer wind, since it is easier to reef a large sail than sew more cloth onto an existing sail under way. 4/ People who know what they are doing reef their sails when they need to. Perhaps they sail in heavier weather because they don't have a harbor to duck into 100 miles offshore. Maybe they know their boat will take 40 knots of breeze with two reefs in the main and no jib because they've tried it before. Maybe they don't like blown out sails, and reef early. We put in our first reef (upwind) when it starts to blow about 25. We haven't reefed downwind yet, but we've flown the spinnaker in 30 knots of wind too. It depends on the boat. It depends on the crew. It's a big ocean, and it It takes all types.
by 2 p.m. in the summer
... it will be blowing 35 knots in the slot in San Francisco Bay. Lots of sailors duck behind an island, or go home early. Those who stay, and are not racing, reef. Also, cruisers a long way from sail lofts routinely reef at night, even if it doesn't seem necessary. This is common along the Mexican Pacific Coast, and keeps the admiral happy. S.
Sanders
... it will be blowing 35 knots in the slot in San Francisco Bay. Lots of sailors duck behind an island, or go home early. Those who stay, and are not racing, reef. Also, cruisers a long way from sail lofts routinely reef at night, even if it doesn't seem necessary. This is common along the Mexican Pacific Coast, and keeps the admiral happy. S.
SandersDon't shift into 4th or 5th gear in the car either
Suggesting that people don't reef their sails in real life is a little like suggesting that people driving 5spd cars don't really use 4th and 5th gears either - "Just wind it up on the freeway, it sounds better that way - and you won't wear out your clutch shifting so much." As noted, there are a number of reasons that you might not see pictures of racing sailors with reefed sails - but in conditions that many of us would consider reefing, they do have up much smaller headsails, made from cloth/materials purpose-built to withstand the loading. They put a ton of muscle (OK, we call it 'muscle') up on the rail to try to keep the boat flat and still carry maximum sail area - because they know that a flat boat is a fast boat too. And that ton of railmeat equates to a lot of extra hands aboard to help with sail handling. A reefed mainsail takes a whole lot less winch power to trim than a full main - with the deck healed at 40degrees. And they are pushing their boat hard, pedal to the metal, and will break things (expensive things!), and need to replace things after a season or two (expensive things), and don't have a spouse or family or non-sailing friends along that might not enjoy the sheer thrill of a full on broach because the skipper thought that only weenies reefed. Try it, you (and your family, crew, friends, etc) might just like it. Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Suggesting that people don't reef their sails in real life is a little like suggesting that people driving 5spd cars don't really use 4th and 5th gears either - "Just wind it up on the freeway, it sounds better that way - and you won't wear out your clutch shifting so much." As noted, there are a number of reasons that you might not see pictures of racing sailors with reefed sails - but in conditions that many of us would consider reefing, they do have up much smaller headsails, made from cloth/materials purpose-built to withstand the loading. They put a ton of muscle (OK, we call it 'muscle') up on the rail to try to keep the boat flat and still carry maximum sail area - because they know that a flat boat is a fast boat too. And that ton of railmeat equates to a lot of extra hands aboard to help with sail handling. A reefed mainsail takes a whole lot less winch power to trim than a full main - with the deck healed at 40degrees. And they are pushing their boat hard, pedal to the metal, and will break things (expensive things!), and need to replace things after a season or two (expensive things), and don't have a spouse or family or non-sailing friends along that might not enjoy the sheer thrill of a full on broach because the skipper thought that only weenies reefed. Try it, you (and your family, crew, friends, etc) might just like it. Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
I've heard people bad mouth boats
because they are to tender, our lancer28 is a very tender boat, putting a reef in makes all the difference between "white knuckles" and a good, fast sail. Tom s/v GAIA
because they are to tender, our lancer28 is a very tender boat, putting a reef in makes all the difference between "white knuckles" and a good, fast sail. Tom s/v GAIA
Scuby doo
Some divers never learn their "old style" navy dive tables and rely on computers for safety. Amazing how many of them don't have a clue when that computer doesn't work or quits in the middle of repetive dives!!! Or course we reef our sails...
Some divers never learn their "old style" navy dive tables and rely on computers for safety. Amazing how many of them don't have a clue when that computer doesn't work or quits in the middle of repetive dives!!! Or course we reef our sails...
When in doubt, reef
I have over 25 years sailing. I reef a lot. I am not a racer, though I occasionally do enter some races and usually finish middle of the fleet. I do not hesitate to throw in a reef when Trav'ler begins to dip her rail. The boat is easier to handle and is not straining her fittings when properly canvassed. Balanced she sails as fast or faster than she does over sailed. I reef earlier as it much easier to put a reef in when conditions are not severe. If I find the reef was not appropriate, it is a quick and easy task to shake it out. For a cruiser, prudent reefing is a part of seamanship. Racers see things differently, but are willing to accept knockdowns and gear breakage as normal. Your sails will last longer when you reef appropriatley. Head sails that are reefed going hard to wind is a bad idea as it will stress areas of the sail not designed to be stressed. Better to reef the main going upwind if you want your sails to last.
I have over 25 years sailing. I reef a lot. I am not a racer, though I occasionally do enter some races and usually finish middle of the fleet. I do not hesitate to throw in a reef when Trav'ler begins to dip her rail. The boat is easier to handle and is not straining her fittings when properly canvassed. Balanced she sails as fast or faster than she does over sailed. I reef earlier as it much easier to put a reef in when conditions are not severe. If I find the reef was not appropriate, it is a quick and easy task to shake it out. For a cruiser, prudent reefing is a part of seamanship. Racers see things differently, but are willing to accept knockdowns and gear breakage as normal. Your sails will last longer when you reef appropriatley. Head sails that are reefed going hard to wind is a bad idea as it will stress areas of the sail not designed to be stressed. Better to reef the main going upwind if you want your sails to last.
Some times yes, sometimes no
I have a large cutter and a scow -- (total extremes) The cutter I reef (or drop) when necessary; but, on the scow I simply/usually overbend the mast to flatten and 'blade' through the heavy stuff on a plane. What I mean by 'necessary' is a displacement hull that is death-wobbling because its above its hull speed and its track is becoming unstable. But, but, but, ....both of these boats have symmetric hull forms so that when heeled-over there isnt much difference in helm pressure. Only when a boat is over on her ends and struggling will I reef. I guess sailing a scow that is designed to be sailed well heeled over gets one used to heeling without trepidation. If I had a boat that had a fat-ass stern that changed helm pressure when heeled I'd probably reef more. Otherwise I prefer to flatten and 'blade' through. Its all in knowing how to shape and depower a sail for the conditiions.
I have a large cutter and a scow -- (total extremes) The cutter I reef (or drop) when necessary; but, on the scow I simply/usually overbend the mast to flatten and 'blade' through the heavy stuff on a plane. What I mean by 'necessary' is a displacement hull that is death-wobbling because its above its hull speed and its track is becoming unstable. But, but, but, ....both of these boats have symmetric hull forms so that when heeled-over there isnt much difference in helm pressure. Only when a boat is over on her ends and struggling will I reef. I guess sailing a scow that is designed to be sailed well heeled over gets one used to heeling without trepidation. If I had a boat that had a fat-ass stern that changed helm pressure when heeled I'd probably reef more. Otherwise I prefer to flatten and 'blade' through. Its all in knowing how to shape and depower a sail for the conditiions.
Faulkner still lives
Wow. That's the most amazing thread of consciousness unpunctuated question I've ever seen on the net. There's an annual "imitate Faulkner's writing style" contest somewhere: you should definitely enter. People who only leave the harbor or raise their (not there) sails when the wind is 12 knots or less never have to reef. And then there (not their) are the people who use their (not there) boats as cheap waterside condos for the weekend, where they drink beer and listen to Jimmy Buffett all night and pretend they're (not there or their) Long John Silver. That would explain the manifest lack of reefing.
Wow. That's the most amazing thread of consciousness unpunctuated question I've ever seen on the net. There's an annual "imitate Faulkner's writing style" contest somewhere: you should definitely enter. People who only leave the harbor or raise their (not there) sails when the wind is 12 knots or less never have to reef. And then there (not their) are the people who use their (not there) boats as cheap waterside condos for the weekend, where they drink beer and listen to Jimmy Buffett all night and pretend they're (not there or their) Long John Silver. That would explain the manifest lack of reefing.
The Big Boys Reef too
But a lot of one designs like the America's Cup won't go out if there is too much wind.
But a lot of one designs like the America's Cup won't go out if there is too much wind.
Who reefs
Some years ago I was sailing in Hauraki Gulf in New Zealand with my brother in law. We sailed out to watch the BOC sailors leaving Auckland. While we had everything up they were all reefed. They were heading for Cape Horn. I guess tough guys reef too.
Some years ago I was sailing in Hauraki Gulf in New Zealand with my brother in law. We sailed out to watch the BOC sailors leaving Auckland. While we had everything up they were all reefed. They were heading for Cape Horn. I guess tough guys reef too.
Depends on the rig
As has been mentioned a flat boat is a fast boat; that said, WHEN one reefs is rig sensitive to some extent. My 28 OD must reef at 15 knots or she rounds up uncontrollably. Could be the boat, could be how I have her tuned (I'm no expert at it)or could be the balance between head sail size and main. I just finished an ASA course and our instructor showed us that with the main sheet fully tight and the traveler eased to leeward the boat will balance in a "fishermans" reef below 25 knots of air. A neat trick if one is single-handing the boat. As for our original writers stream of consciousness...all I can say is "whew"! Thats my two cents. Mike Pitterpat
As has been mentioned a flat boat is a fast boat; that said, WHEN one reefs is rig sensitive to some extent. My 28 OD must reef at 15 knots or she rounds up uncontrollably. Could be the boat, could be how I have her tuned (I'm no expert at it)or could be the balance between head sail size and main. I just finished an ASA course and our instructor showed us that with the main sheet fully tight and the traveler eased to leeward the boat will balance in a "fishermans" reef below 25 knots of air. A neat trick if one is single-handing the boat. As for our original writers stream of consciousness...all I can say is "whew"! Thats my two cents. Mike Pitterpat
An Example
Last Sunday it was blowing about 15K out of the west, although it did not look that strong in our marina. I put a reef in at the dock. One of my many sailing mentors said, "It is easier to shake it out than put it in." Yes, he was talking about a reef. When we got to the lake, I raised the main and we were on a port tack. The waves were 2 foot and capping. I let the 110 jib out about 40% to stop the hobbyhorsing but this did not help pointing to windward. With both sails reefed we were doing 5.5 knots. With our Cherub H27 I have found reefing the main usually a good idea at around 12 knots of wind. I gauge this by the weatherhelm. It is a process of easing the main until it has little or no wind and then put in a reef. This keeps the boat at no more than 15% heel. It may not look spectacular but it is comfortable, less tiring, and usually keeps the boat within a knot or less of hull speed. Andy "Baroque"
Last Sunday it was blowing about 15K out of the west, although it did not look that strong in our marina. I put a reef in at the dock. One of my many sailing mentors said, "It is easier to shake it out than put it in." Yes, he was talking about a reef. When we got to the lake, I raised the main and we were on a port tack. The waves were 2 foot and capping. I let the 110 jib out about 40% to stop the hobbyhorsing but this did not help pointing to windward. With both sails reefed we were doing 5.5 knots. With our Cherub H27 I have found reefing the main usually a good idea at around 12 knots of wind. I gauge this by the weatherhelm. It is a process of easing the main until it has little or no wind and then put in a reef. This keeps the boat at no more than 15% heel. It may not look spectacular but it is comfortable, less tiring, and usually keeps the boat within a knot or less of hull speed. Andy "Baroque"
Reefer madness
This is the most extraordinary thread of commentary this year. I reef early and often, and sail 100 days a year.
This is the most extraordinary thread of commentary this year. I reef early and often, and sail 100 days a year.
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