Jiffy reefing (main sail)

[Weldon]

Does anyone have the instructions for rigging the jiffy reefing on the main sail (Mac26X), and what is the roper size line. We are using a line the same size(thickness) as the Jib sheets, and it seems to be tight going through the eyelets in the mainsail and you have to pull the line through the eyelets by hand when putting in or shaking out the reef. Not so jiffy, seems were doing something wrong.

[MAC26X]

We also use the same size as the sheets, 3/8. If you are threading it through the eyelets each time you are not jiffy reefing. Jiffy reefing is done with 1 or 2 lines that remain rigged and are tensioned to reef and loosened to unreef. They control the reef outhaul/downhaul eyelet and the tack eyelet. The center eyelets are just to gather the excess sail. They can have short 1/4 lines that remain in them to loosely tie the reefed main. They should not have any downhaul tension on them.

Here's a primer on reefing

http://www.pineapplesails.com/articles/reefing.htm

[Frank C]

Weldon,
Referring to the first diagram, "reefing points" are only for sail-ties to bundle the surplus canvas to the boom. Jiffy reefing happens ONLY through the reef tack and reef clew, NOT the reef points. Read this article about reefing. You'll see in the article some reasons that the sailmaker recommends using
a 2-line reefing system instead of jiffy (one-line) reefing.

The second image is a photo that ALX posted of his mainsail with good illustration of his aft reefing line. Ignore the short line that dangles near the clew. Also, note the sail-tie in the reefing point.

Welcome aboard ... hope that addresses your questions ... good luck!

Oops!!! I see that Mac & I were answering simultaneously.

[demian]

I sail a 26X, and I have sail slides on my mainsail. I use a track stop to keep the sail slides from falling out of the sail track on the mast, when I drop the mainsail under normal conditions. However, when I want to reef the mainsail, I need to attach the reef tack to the gooseneck. To accomplish this, I find that I need to remove the track stop, and let some of the slides fall out of the track, otherwise the reef tack will not reach the gooseneck. To accomplish all this, I need to be up on the cabin top near the mast usually hanging on for dear life in less than friendly wind & wave conditions.

To save myself the "excitement" of climbing onto the cabin top to reef the mainsail, I am considering installing a jiffy reefing system. The question that bothers me, is will I still need to climb onto the cabin top to remove the track stop before the jiffy reefing system will fully reef the mainsail?

Secondly, the jiffy reefing systems that I've seen bring the reef tack and reef clew to the boom area. Is there a way to secure the reef points in the middle of the sail without having to climb onto the cabin top?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[jetta01]

Excellent question demian!

I hadn't thought about the track stop problem. The blue water yachts site sells a single line reefing system that says you can do everything from the cockpit, but it doesn't say anything about whether or not you have to stop using the track stop, which I imagine you do.

http://bwyachts.com/web%20catalog%20312 ... eefing.htm

Rick

[Catigale]

Demian

Here is my low tech way of dealing with the sailslide/reef issue

Put the sailslide above the reef point, below the reef point put a sailtie around the main to hold the last 3 or 4 (I forget) sail slides in.

To reef, just pull the sailtie out and let the lower batch fall out. Its easy the pull the sailtie with a boathook from the cockpit even if you tie it appropriately (half hitch and loop)

I still have to go up top to hook the clew onto the gooseneck, so I grab it by hand then, but if you a line reefer that should help.

Blue sailties are faster.

[Frank C]

... To save myself the "excitement" of climbing onto the cabin top to reef the mainsail, I am considering installing a jiffy reefing system. The question that bothers me, is will I still need to climb onto the cabin top to remove the track stop before the jiffy reefing system will fully reef the mainsail?

Secondly, the jiffy reefing systems that I've seen bring the reef tack and reef clew to the boom area. Is there a way to secure the reef points in the middle of the sail without having to climb onto the cabin top?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Regarding the mid-sail reef points, some owners rig permanent sailties to remain there for tying up surplus canvas. IMO, the surplus bunches-up close to the boom anyway, so I just "arrange it" and don't bother tying it.

Regarding your first question:
- you can mount the lower slugs on a jackline, SOP for jiffy reefing;
- or you can have slugs installed "just right" and avoid that need;
- or you can install a PVC sleeve into the mast track.

There was a lengthy thread on the topic just last month titled Sail Slides and Jackline Question. Duane posted a very good picture of his jackline, and ALX got lots of general discussion on reefing.

(Search on "reefing" or "slides" for many other threads)

[ALX357]

the track insert for the opening would be interesting ....
made of PVC ?? lots of custom fitting and filing... ?? lifts up to release slides, falls down to trap them as in the upper track, if i understand the description, .... anyone have a photo for clarity ?

why isn't this made by some aftermarket company, or hardware company ?
West Marine, Wichard, Garhauer, Harken, Ronstan, SeaSense, etc.

[Francis]

Weldon,
I use the Jiffy reefing system and I do have sail slides on my main.
I have never had a problem lowering my sail down without removing any of the slides, or taking the slide stopper out to do so. I just pull on my reefing line and lower the sail to the point where I would attach the reefing clew to the horn, but I do not attach it. I just lower the sail to that point with the reefing line, then lock it down with my rope clutch, then pull the reeefed sail up with the main again until tight. Then cherry up the reef line again by pulling it in a little tighter to take out the slack. I do all this from within the cockpit. I may slide up there just to release the boomvang but that's about it. It comes down fine with no problems. I do have some small line attached to the reefing points to just tie up the sail afterwards, but no biggie. I love this system. Hope this helps.

[demian]

Thanks for the responses and suggestions. Jacklines are probably the most "professional" way of dealing with this problem. However, I have found a cheap and dirty way of dealing with it. I have two cleats on my mast, just above the gate where the sail slides fall out of the track. What I did was attach a thin (3/16") bungee cord to the two cleats, and it is strong enough to support the sail slides from falling out of the mast track when I normally douse the mainsail. However when I need to reef, when I pull on my reefing line (I use a 2 line reefing system) the force exerted by the sail slides on the bungee cord is sufficient to pull the bungee cord down into the gate area, and this allows just enough slides to fall out so that the reef point moves down to the proper location near the goosneck. Because I release the main halyard to a premarked position, the rest of the sail slides stay comfortably in the sail track. When I re-tighten the main halyard, the luff of the sail is nice and tight. The excess sail in the boom area is flaked on the boom and nicely held in place by the tying of the outhaul through the reef clew as recommended by Macgregor. Hence the problem appears to be solved for my purposes. (I'm sure other problems will come along in due course.)

Thanks for all your helpful input.