No more single line reefing

[Hamin' X]

Could be. I'm on my cell here and cannot tell. Ones that I have seen terminate at the clew, If you are correct, then it'd be 2:1 on both ends.

[RickJ]

Is there any reason not to have the control end of the reefing line terminate at the aft end of the boom? I've been thinking of something like Mike's system, but I can't see the point in taking the line back to the mast in order to feed it through blocks all the way back to the cockpit (assuming the halyard is led aft and you're not reefing at the mast).

Since you'll be into the wind with the sail luffing while taking in the reef, it's no big problem to grab the boom above the cockpit and haul on a line. With a cleat screwed to the boom at a suitable place (one for each reef line?) you can quickly tie it off. A jam cleat might possibly be enough. If reefing the good ol' fashioned way you'd have to handle the boom here to tie down the clew anyway!

Cheers, Rick

[delevi]

Rick,

The idea of single line reefing is not to have to reach for the boom or go up on deck. You can do this without going into the wind.. just slack off the sheet, let her luff and reef while the jib still keeps you moving. This wouldn't be possible.. (at least quite difficult) if you need to reach for the boom. Also, you will end up with a huge amount of line which you'll need to secure somewhere at the back of the boom. It also has a tendencey to work its way loose. This was quite a nuisance when I had jiffy reefing. All stuff I would rather avoid when it's blowing hard.

Leon

[Hamin' X]

Cat: You're right. I'm on the home computer now and I can see the red dotted line at the clew, indicating that it passes through the clew and terminates on the boom.

Cell phone internet is great, but the resolution leaves something to be desired. Besides, I'm piloting 80,000 Lbs throught the snow, while trying to check this forum.






Rich---Hamin' X---N7ZH

[Catigale]

Hope thats not you in that last one....

[Hamin' X]

Hope thats not you in that last one....

Nope, that was left over carnage when they got the road reopened. Sat at the top of the hill (Known as Cabbage Hill, 6 mile 6% downgrade) for 5 hours that night.

Rich---Hamin' X---N7ZH

[RickJ]

Leon - thanks for your thoughts. I take the point esp. on the amount of loose line flying around, that could be a bit troublesome

I shall continue to think about this and try some things. I don't have the main halyard led aft yet, but when I do I want to work the reefing into the scheme at the same time. Currently I have the clew reefing lines led forward with a Barton reefing kit (blocks on a track for the clew points, with cleats at the mast end of the boom), so you can do all the reefing while standing at the mast. This was all fitted by a PO.

I'm still trying to work out what to do with it all if I bring the halyard back to the cockpit My sail has 3 reef points, so there's quite a lot of line!

Cheers, Rick

[beene]

Rick, if your main has 3 reefs, I would not even bother with the 3rd one.

If you have to reef that much.... it's probably time to start the iron genny and get the heck out of there.



G

[Catigale]

Those Harken diagrams ended up in Sail this month April 2008, in a article on "old geezer sailing tricks".

One of the suggestions is to run the reef line to the clew first, since that is the area where you have the tension problem. That takes more line since you have to traverse the boom twice, but addresses the main shape issue.

[Moe]

Rick, if your main has 3 reefs, I would not even bother with the 3rd one.

If you have to reef that much.... it's probably time to start the iron genny and get the heck out of there.

Perhaps Rick or his PO realized the futility of trying to outrun a squall moving at 60+ mph if any distance from safe harbor.

I wouldn't bother leading the first of three reef points aft on a Mac (between the boom and factory one), since you need it in relatively mild conditions. The ones you don't want to go forward for are the second and third ones.

[Don T]

Hello,
I have the single line reefing from BWY set to the first reef point. I put bungie line organizers on the boom. When I reef it only takes 10 seconds, which seems like an eternity when the weather is up, to secure the extra line. If I figure the reef is going to stay in a while I go up on deck and secure the clew to the pivot bolt hook. I use gasket lines to secure the tack when the second reef is in. That way I can flatten the sail pretty well. Was out in 25+ in Georgia Strait thay way......yowsers!

[DaveB]

Mike, there is a artical in this month Sail decribeing just that. they have a roller on mast than to deck sheave tho I don't think I would need that. I am debateing to go that way as it was a 40 ft. Pearson and other bigger boats than the Mac. It would only be for the first reef point and thats ok with me since my main only has one set of reef .

Dave

Hi all,

The single line reefing is wonderful if;

the line must run aft to clew end of reef cringle, up to a little block sewn/tied to the reef cringle then fwd to tack end with direct tie to the tack cringle. This is a must if you want the reef to pull tight. Results in two to one purchase at the clew and a direct one to one at tack. Also needed are good quality roller blocks. This is tried and true setup we have used on many of our customers boats. If you have single line reefing set up the more conventional way, change it to this and you don't even need new parts, no mo money needed!

Mike Inmon

[delevi]

Set up Mike Inmon's single line reefing for the deep reef and had a chance to try it out Friday in 30 kts breeze. This system is golden. Perfect sail shape. Both tack and clew all the way down. Very flat sail. Set it about 30 seconds. Will keep 2-line system on the first reef for now just to minimize spaghetti, but very happy with the setup so far.

Leon

[PatrickS]

Set up Mike Inmon's single line reefing for the deep reef and had a chance to try it out Friday in 30 kts breeze. This system is golden. Perfect sail shape. Both tack and clew all the way down. Very flat sail. Set it about 30 seconds. Will keep 2-line system on the first reef for now just to minimize spaghetti, but very happy with the setup so far.

Leon

Does anyone have a diagram of Mike Inmon's setup? I'm still trying to get a clear picture of exactly how the line runs.

[Currie]

Does anyone have a diagram of Mike Inmon's setup? I'm still trying to get a clear picture of exactly how the line runs.

I second that request