Reefing Lines

[BTS]

Just started sailing again(after 25 years) and love my Mac26m! Want put reefing lines on the sail and would welcome some input on size of reefing lines. Also are they knotted on the grommets...how? Do they then stay on the sails or kept handy? I have KH C2000 mainsail. Second question, with lines aft, boomkicker and vang; how do I get the mast to rotate properly? I have read on this site there is a mod needed for this configuration. Help from wise sailors needed. Appreciate the input.

Barton

[Kelly Hanson East]

There are a couple of threads in the Mods Forum I will try to find and link to, Barton. The executive summary is

- "One line reefing" - More complicated to rig, but cheaper but lots of reefing line in cockpit and more prone to jam

"Two line reefing" - SImple to rig, more expensive

With our KH sail (which has 2 reef points) you almost certainly want two line reefing.

[AWKIII]

Hi Barton.

I hope you are enjoying your new boat.

Installing the vang and Boomkicker are pretty simple. The vang should be assembled and installed as per the factory manual. The Boomkicker also goes on quickly. You purchased the model designed specifically for the M. As long as you follow the included directions, you should be fine.

I would suggest taking a look at the tension of your stays if you are having problems with rotation. This is usually the culprit.

We sell a Loos tension guage on our site. They are a little pricey but they do a wondeful job tuning a rig. I have owned mine for years and wouldn't be without it. Wouldn't lend it to anyone though as they have a habit of not finding their way back home.

Regards,

Art

[BTS]

Thanks Art, I do love the boat. Had the fam onboard last week with 30 degree heel at four knots and it was like one of those corporate bonding seminars—very much fun for rookie sailors. We slept on board and she rocked us to sleep every night. I have not had so much fun in years. I have installed the boom vang and kicker, it is very cool not having an outhaul holding up the boom. I will adjust the shrouds and will send for the KH tool.

Barton

[goddardw]

Kane Richards at www.pineapplesails.com has a very good section devoted to reefing. Kane suggests that a two line reefing system is best for slab reefing. I single hand my Mac 25 and use the two line system with the lines running back to the cockpit for the Luff reefs and the two lines running to cleats on the boom for the Leach. I use 1/4" braided nylon line and run the line up through the reef point then down to a fixed location on the mast and on the boom. This gives you a two to one advantage the reef lines are doubled making the 1/4" plenty strong enough.

Best Regards, Wilson and Christine "Chantel Marie" Mac 25

[BTS]

Great site and very useful information. I have bookmarked it and might ever buy a pineapple hat! Thanks Wilson and Christine.

Barton

[tangentair]

While KHN looks up the references, I will simply point out that the mod is basically to take two light lines and blocks, connect the blocks to the stancion that is used for the mast raiser ministays, run the lines from the ring at the base of the mast through the blocks back to the cockpit and secure them there in some fashion that will allow you to pull the mast in one direction or the other as needed. But I have to add that I found that adding an oil impregnated brass washer (from Ace Hardware) to the washers at the base of the mast and using some additional lubricant has "fixed' the need for the mod so the blocks are still in the bag and my son used the line on his boat.

[BTS]

Thanks tangentair, that makes alot of sense. Wish I would have know that two weeks ago when I had the mast down. I thought it was a lower shroud on the port side that was the problem (too tight), but when it was ajusted it did not make any difference. The mast does move manually, but just feel like something is holding it. I will pop in a brass ring next time the mast is down it the tensioning does not solve the problem.