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What is the correct way to reef main sail? I had my maiden voyage in 17 knot winds (plus gusts), so I put up a main sail reefed to the max (second reef point). It was my first time reefing, so I had problems with it. Manual just mentioned tack and clue points, but I was surprised to find 3 holes on the sail. I just tied them to the boom with some line I had lying around. Also, I'm not sure I'm doing the right thing with the clue reefing point. The line is quite short, so I tied another one for safety. Im I supposed to only tie clew reefing point to the boom end, or also make a loop around the boom itself, then to the boom end? The whole contraption looked ugly (see photo), and I suspec I'm not doing something right. What's the proper way to hoist a reefed sail? And what if I'm reefing the hoisted sail?

Thanks.

I can't see your pictures.

However, loose-fitted mainsails (which yours is) attach at two points either reefed or not reefed. Tack and clew. And if you are reefing it should be tight, and I mean, tight. Assuming you are in high enough wind to want a reef, that sail should be flat.

The 'lines' in the middle of the sail you found were reefing lines, and are only intended to tie the sail to itself to keep the foot of the sail somewhat organized and not filling with air. They are not to be used around the boom and are not designed to take the load of a full sail. Doing that puts you at risk of tearing your mainsail.

Just like (I'm assuming) the book says, mainsail raising procedures are the same, Head, Tack, Clew. If you are sailing under jib alone, you should let the main luff to reduce pressure, continue sailing under jib, and put the reef in. Or if you want, turn on the motor. One of the things I've observed (and I don't know why) with Mac's and sailors is mainsail luff's with far too loose, either reefed or not. The luff of a sail under reef should also be very tight to again, create a flatter mainsail. You could even tight the backstay to induce bend and further flatten the main.

Hope that helps and I couldn't see your pictures.

Full disclosure: Want to know what I did the first time I reefed? I tied the reefing lines of the mainsail around the boom

Ha, I just realized I replied to you on the Facebook group

I messed up the link, corrected now.

Ha, good that I read your comments here too! From the facebook I only got that reefing lines are not for tension or load, however I didn't get somehow that they shouldn't go around the boom! so where should they go then? You said "sail to itself" so where would they attach if not around the boom?

Your two main reefing points (larger metal grommets) should be taking all the force. (From your pic) I would try and get your reef (clew) to have the same pull as your outhaul (down to the boom and outwards toward the end) You’re close but it looks like your outhaul and reef might be fighting each other? Maybe not? This will allow you to adjust sail shape (flatten or bag). At the mast / boom base (goose neck and tack) the sail should be pulled down (towards the mast base) and forward (towards the mast/gooseneck) This can stay tight but no need to adjust once your halyard is set and the luff (sail edge running up the mast with sail slugs or bolt rope) is tight and no wrinkles or folds (sometimes this is difficult so don’t worry if it’s not perfect). That is a reefed sail. The remaining grommets (usually smaller) that run the length of the boom are only there to contain the sail and should be tied loosely and not pull or take load from the sail as Singaleer pointed out. The quickest and easiest solution I’ve found for those are BWY quick sail ties. They go on very fast, are bungee, and will stretch before the sail rips if they are too tight. If you search the forum and mods there are also several single hand reefing mods that people have done with good success. From your video it does look like your mid reef grommets are taking some load so watch those. You’ve got the principle down, and the boat sailed so it’s a win for sure. Also practice flaking your sail it will help when reefing to keep things more manageable and extend the life of your sail. IMO do that before you start messing around with the lazy jacks you have installed.

yukonbob wrote:Your two main reefing points (larger metal grommets) should be taking all the force. (From your pic) I would try and get your reef (clew) to have the same pull as your outhaul (down to the boom and outwards toward the end) You’re close but it looks like your outhaul and reef might be fighting each other? Maybe not? This will allow you to adjust sail shape (flatten or bag). At the mast / boom base (goose neck and tack) the sail should be pulled down (towards the mast base) and forward (towards the mast/gooseneck) This can stay tight but no need to adjust once your halyard is set and the luff (sail edge running up the mast with sail slugs or bolt rope) is tight and no wrinkles or folds (sometimes this is difficult so don’t worry if it’s not perfect). That is a reefed sail. The remaining grommets (usually smaller) that run the length of the boom are only there to contain the sail and should be tied loosely and not pull or take load from the sail as Singaleer pointed out. The quickest and easiest solution I’ve found for those are BWY quick sail ties. They go on very fast, are bungee, and will stretch before the sail rips if they are too tight. If you search the forum and mods there are also several single hand reefing mods that people have done with good success. From your video it does look like your mid reef grommets are taking some load so watch those. You’ve got the principle down, and the boat sailed so it’s a win for sure. Also practice flaking your sail it will help when reefing to keep things more manageable and extend the life of your sail. IMO do that before you start messing around with the lazy jacks you have installed.

Thanks. The lazy jacks were installed by previous owner. Now they just hand down from the mast and I'm afraid they will tangle on something. So I have to attach them next time, if I figure out how. They are firmly secured and don't look removable on top of the mast. So the reefing line on the three small grommets - do they go under the boom, or just under the sail? I don't even know if there is room between the boom and the sail - haven't raised it enough to see, I assumed it's attached to the boom throughout its length, but maybe it isn't.

romandesign wrote:I messed up the link, corrected now.

Ha, good that I read your comments here too! From the facebook I only got that reefing lines are not for tension or load, however I didn't get somehow that they shouldn't go around the boom! so where should they go then? You said "sail to itself" so where would they attach if not around the boom?

Roll the remaining sail, part that is floppy and not being used, up from the bottom, now you have a line hanging on either side of this 'roll'. Tie them together with the sail now neatly creating a new foot. I'd personally never tie them around a boom. If you make an error and loose a clew tension or any other error, and those lines are around a boom, you'll be looking for a new mainsail, or an expensive repair.

Signaleer wrote: Roll the remaining sail, part that is floppy and not being used, up from the bottom, now you have a line hanging on either side of this 'roll'. Tie them together with the sail now neatly creating a new foot. I'd personally never tie them around a boom. If you make an error and loose a clew tension or any other error, and those lines are around a boom, you'll be looking for a new mainsail, or an expensive repair.

Got it, thanks. I didn't have those lines attached, just discovered the grommets, and had to improvise with some scrap utility rope I had around at the moment

Surprise, surprise! I just went inside my Mac and looked carefully at the boom - there is no space between the sail and the boom! The sail foot is threaded through the groove similar to the one on the mast, so the three reefing lines would be impossible to thread just around the sail. The only way appears to be around the boom, just the way I did it. The rope I used is really cheap and very stretchable, So I think it would give in to any serious load and won't keep too much tension. Maybe I should tie it more loosely. Am I missing something?

romandesign wrote:Surprise, surprise! I just went inside my Mac and looked carefully at the boom - there is no space between the sail and the boom! The sail foot is threaded through the groove similar to the one on the mast, so the three reefing lines would be impossible to thread just around the sail. The only way appears to be around the boom, just the way I did it. The rope I used is really cheap and very stretchable, So I think it would give in to any serious load and won't keep too much tension. Maybe I should tie it more loosely. Am I missing something?

Ah... ok. You have an attached foot, or a bolt-rope foot to the main. This is ok then to tie them loosely around the boom. I thought you had a loose-footed main. ... (scratching my head) I didn't know mac's had an attached mainsail out of the box? In any case, this is fine. I have had both, and prefer the loose footed for this reason and a few others, but those are fine for sure! Enjoy!

Signaleer wrote:

romandesign wrote:Surprise, surprise! I just went inside my Mac and looked carefully at the boom - there is no space between the sail and the boom! The sail foot is threaded through the groove similar to the one on the mast, so the three reefing lines would be impossible to thread just around the sail. The only way appears to be around the boom, just the way I did it. The rope I used is really cheap and very stretchable, So I think it would give in to any serious load and won't keep too much tension. Maybe I should tie it more loosely. Am I missing something?

Ah... ok. You have an attached foot, or a bolt-rope foot to the main. This is ok then to tie them loosely around the boom. I thought you had a loose-footed main. ... (scratching my head) I didn't know mac's had an attached mainsail out of the box? In any case, this is fine. I have had both, and prefer the loose footed for this reason and a few others, but those are fine for sure! Enjoy!

Thanks! It may have been an upgrade, I have no idea.

My OEM main had a bolt rope through the boom. Replacement sail was loose footed.

My 2011 has the bolt rope in boom also from the factory.

romandesign wrote:

Signaleer wrote:

romandesign wrote:Surprise, surprise! I just went inside my Mac and looked carefully at the boom - there is no space between the sail and the boom! The sail foot is threaded through the groove similar to the one on the mast, so the three reefing lines would be impossible to thread just around the sail. The only way appears to be around the boom, just the way I did it. The rope I used is really cheap and very stretchable, So I think it would give in to any serious load and won't keep too much tension. Maybe I should tie it more loosely. Am I missing something?

Ah... ok. You have an attached foot, or a bolt-rope foot to the main. This is ok then to tie them loosely around the boom. I thought you had a loose-footed main. ... (scratching my head) I didn't know mac's had an attached mainsail out of the box? In any case, this is fine. I have had both, and prefer the loose footed for this reason and a few others, but those are fine for sure! Enjoy!

Thanks! It may have been an upgrade, I have no idea.

I would be thinking a bolt roped main to the boom is a downgrade rather than an upgrade, loose foot allows you to get better sail shape on he bottom of the main in the spot that it can produce most power, I seem to remember slugs into my boom, but cant remember if thats only on my JOG boat or on the Mac as well

sailboatmike wrote: I would be thinking a bolt roped main to the boom is a downgrade rather than an upgrade, loose foot allows you to get better sail shape on he bottom of the main in the spot that it can produce most power, I seem to remember slugs into my boom, but cant remember if thats only on my JOG boat or on the Mac as well

I've read the article about that that says "Neither concept offers a significant performance advantage under sail for most types of boats", and each system has its advantages, although loose-footed is now more common. So yes, definitely not an upgrade, but not really a downgrade either...