single line reefingsystem

[eddy]

Im planning to install a single line reefingsystem, i do find in the mod section enough examples how to 's on the boom. But can't find a much about the hardware on the mast (gooseneck). Hope someone can help me with some pictures?
Tnx

[Sumner]

Here is what we did and...







...so far we like it, but it also works in conjunction with the lazy-jacks and sail-pack. Details here ....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... ng-22.html


Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[eddy]

I'm interested in the last picture. The part with the gooseneck, the line there goes from the mast to the boom. When this part is under heavy tention does it interfere when the boom swings to the left or right?

[Sumner]

I'm interested in the last picture. The part with the gooseneck, the line there goes from the mast to the boom. When this part is under heavy tention does it interfere when the boom swings to the left or right?

I don't remember any difference vs. the old way we reefed.



The block on the sail is very close to the pivot point of the boom and also I would think that if it goes to one side the line would then be shorter on that side and would make up for any amount of lengthening on the other side if that makes sense. I'd say rig it and try it. You could just run a line for trial purposes from a point down on one side of the mast through the reef point and down onto the other side (use c-clamps or something) and then swing the boom and see if it is what you want.

One thing that I think are worth the added small expense are the blocks...





..on the sail vs. just running through the reef grommets. They will reduce friction quite a bit in my opinion,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[eddy]

Ok thnx, this is the answer i needed.

[Catigale]

Don't let those yellow arrows chafe your sail if you follow this path,,,,

[Sumner]

Don't let those yellow arrows chafe your sail if you follow this path,,,,

I think you just have 'arrow envy' ,

Sum
===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[fouz]

That reminds. I was searching something macgregor related on goggle the other day and every other page of the images there were yellow arrows every where

[seahouse]

Hey fouz!

That reminds. I was searching something macgregor related on goggle the other day and every other page of the images there were yellow arrows every where That reminds. I was searching something macgregor related on goggle the other day and every other page of the images there were yellow arrows every where

Is it possible the arrows were on the "goggles" you were using to search?
- B.

[fouz]

I'll blame ipad for that . Its suppose to correct all my typing errors but it does let you down from time to time

Hey fouz!

That reminds. I was searching something macgregor related on goggle the other day and every other page of the images there were yellow arrows every where That reminds. I was searching something macgregor related on goggle the other day and every other page of the images there were yellow arrows every where

Is it possible the arrows were on the "goggles" you were using to search?
- B.

[kitcat]

I'm right in the middle of sorting out a single line reefing system myself, so this post is very useful.

It occurred to me that it would not be necessary to have the reef line running to the sail at the back of the boom, as that can be done quite easily from the cockpit, ie just tie the sail down to the boom in the normal way, it's the front that needs the remote control from the cockpit.

Is this a stupid idea, are there pitfalls I haven't worked out?

I liked the idea of those little blocks tied to the reefing points Sumner - very neat.

Paul

[Judy B]

I'm right in the middle of sorting out a single line reefing system myself, so this post is very useful.

It occurred to me that it would not be necessary to have the reef line running to the sail at the back of the boom, as that can be done quite easily from the cockpit, ie just tie the sail down to the boom in the normal way, it's the front that needs the remote control from the cockpit.

Is this a stupid idea, are there pitfalls I haven't worked out?

I liked the idea of those little blocks tied to the reefing points Sumner - very neat.

Paul

Actually, it's the other way around. The aft end of the reef is the hardest to reach in windy or rough conditions. It'll clobbber you or knock you overboard. I speak from experience: I've reefed hundreds, maybe thousands, of times, on more boats than I can remember or count.

Here's the explanation: Unless you can point the bow perfectly into the wind, the aft end of the boom will not be over the center of the cockpit; you would have to lean overboard to tie in the aft reefing clew. Even if you can keep the bow perfectly into the wind, in high winds, the boom will be thrashing around and will clobber you and the crew. You can't safely stand up in a rolling or choppy seaway to put the reef in. and you can't get the boom to stay still long enough to get a knot tied.

So It's essential to have the aft reefing line runnning along the boom. 99% of keelboats, trailerables and non-dinghies come with a line rigged to facilitate putting in the back end of the reef.

Best practice is to run all the reefing controls and associated halyards and topping lifts etc to the same place : either leave them all at the mast or run them all aft to the cockpit. It's not safe or effieicent to be scrambling back and forth from the cabintop to the cockpit in a rough seaway.

(PS The one exception is for double handing: You can run the mainhalyard aft but leave the rest of the controls at the mast. There's an explanation of why that works, but it's outside the scope of this post.)

Fair winds,
Judy B
Sailmaker,
Hyde Sails of Northern California, and Judy B Sails

[c130king]

I have single-line reefing. It starts at the front port side of the cockpit and goes through a jam-cleat (you can see the black jam-cleat just to the right of port winch). The line runs forward and hits a turning block abeam of the mast and takes a 90 degree turn towards the mast. It goes through another spring-loaded turning block mounted on the deck right next to the mast (it is literally screwed into the deck) which turns it 90 degrees up the mast. From this turning block it runs up along the mast/sail to the stock reefing cringle in my main. Then through the cringle and down the other side to a turning block screwed into the mast on the starboard side right next to the goose neck (you can see this block in the picture). This block turns the line aft along the boom to a turning block screwed into the boom which turns it back up to the aft reefing cringle. From this cringle the line runs aft/down to the back port side of the boom where it is tied off.

If I reef while under way I normally "heave to" first. Once the "heave to" is working the main is fairly slack. I release the main halyard (from the front starboard side of cockpit) and lower the main about 10'. Then I grab the working end of the single-line reefing on the front port side of the cockpit and start pulling it in. Eventually the front cringle will be pulled down as low as it can go. But I normally can still pull another few feet to get the aft cringle to go as low as I can get it by pulling it in. If I can, I help it out by physically pulling the aft end of the sail down but this is not always possible. It is key to make sure the halyard is pretty slack when I am doing this.

Once I have the reefing line as far in as I can pull it I tie it off. Then slacken up the boom-vang and rehauld the main back up. This normally works pretty well for me...and I do all of this solo.

Having the reefing line run through blocks attached to the cringles as Sum has done would probably make it run a little easier. But I have never really had a problem so I have never take the extra step to use those types of blocks.

This is definitely a good mod for a single-hander. I have probably reefed 30-50 times.

Cheers,
Jim
Sailing on König
Sailing on König YouTube Channel

On Edit: Found another picture which shows the two turning blocks for the reefing line on the port sidel.

[eddy]

I was more thinking for a system halfway the boom, not at the end. Im a little scared for drilling holes in my

[kitcat]

Thanks for the explanation Judy, that's exactly what I needed to know. It's all very well setting the whole system up in the driveway at home with no wind and a stationary boat, but quite another to be in a rising wind and wave situation. Your advice is always valuable. Thanks.

Paul.