Third Reef

[chucktro]

I am considering adding a third reef to my main. I know there are many sail lofts
who perform this service but would prefer a recommendation from a fellow Mac
owner who have had this done and are highly satisified. Are there any recommendations?

[delevi]

Had mine done by a local loft, Pinapple Sails. The sails were made by Quantum but they wanted to charge more and take more time. I'm very happy with the work and having a third reef is great, being in a windy area as I am.

[chucktro]

Had mine done by a local loft, Pinapple Sails. The sails were made by Quantum but they wanted to charge more and take more time. I'm very happy with the work and having a third reef is great, being in a windy area as I am.

Would you mind providing the cost of this service? Also, I am considering a five feet separation between the second
and third reef. Does this sound reasonable?

[delevi]

The reef will cost around $150. May be less in your area. Prices in California are ridiculous on just about anything. If you install jack lines ( so you don't have to remove sail slugs) it will run anouther $50-$75. I used to have jack lines but removed them. I like the sail shape better without them. Consequently, I reef the tack manually (drop 1,2, or 4 slugs) depending on which reef. I use a quick pin to hold the slugs in the track. I also have a cunningham-style reef hook with 4:1 purchase which allows for better reefed sail shape. The reef clews are operated via single line reefing from the cockpit. 5 feet seems reasonable. My 3rd reef is just above the second batten from the bottom. It may be a bit more than 5 feet. The sail hoists just slighly above 50% of the mast height, yielding 65-70 square feet of sail.

[bubba]

We have used our 3rd reef for about a year and enjoy our quick reefing system so we do not need to go on the deck until the sail is in control and then to clip the sail ties to help the sail shape http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm42 ... ing009.jpg This is our setup. To have the sail work we ask our dealer to refer a sailmaker and it happened to be the same one West Marine uses in Seattle, Rush Sails. It cost $200.00 or so with shipping each way. and jack lines added, our sails already had the first reef and sail sluggs.

[Obelix]

This may sound stupid to you "old salts", but I ask anyway.

When you talk 1st, 2nd or 3rd reef are these kind of standard ratios how much of the main is left?
If so would the standard reef on the factory Doyle be the equivalent of the 2nd reef?

Thanks

Obelix

[bubba]

Yes it is , The stock Mac reef would be the second reef.

[Obelix]

Thanks Bubba

[delevi]

Obelix,
The factory reef is about a 40% reduction in sail area i.e. 102 square feet of sail remaining. Many find the factory reef too big of a sail reduction in some condiitions, though the full sail would be too much, thus have installed a 1st reef (20% reduction.) Yep, you guessed it, the 3rd reef is about a 60% reduction, leaving you with about 68 square feet of sail. Of course, a sail loft can put the reefs just about anywhere you want, but this seems to work well.

Leon

[bubba]

With the rotaing mast of the M's having a 3rd reef is your replacement for a storm jib and much easier to control, you do want to use a furreled jib or gen to get better helm control.