basic slab reefing question

[deep denial]

I am sure that I was taught to tie the reefing ties around the bunt of the sail after putting in a reef - but looking around others seem to tie the lines under the boom, which I thought was liable to put strain on the sail. Which is right?

 

[bbg]

Around the bunt is better (if you tie them at all - look at pictures of Open 60s - they don't bother with them). But people with a boltrope along the boom don't have a choice - it has to go around the boom.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
it has to go around the boom.

[/ QUOTE ] But loosely so as not to put any strain on the sail. Solely to tidy things up a bit.

 

[Niander]

The only strain should be on the ends of the sail

tie the lines under the boom...if you want to tidy it up but not to tight

doesent even need it....

 

[jeanne]

Ever since we tore our main rehoisting it with one of the reef points still tied, we have stopped using them. That was 18 years ago, in the Cape Verde Islands, so the idea has had a fair trial.
The reefed part of the sail some times fills with wind, which must be bad for ones performance, but that is the only disadvantage. A pull on the next reefing line solves most of the problem.
It seems to be much better not to have to go climbing around on deck when it is getting rough.
If you want to tie up the bunt of the sail, use a single line fed through each eye and round the boom. I am sure that one dark night you will tear the sail with individual ties.

 

[fireball]

Have a stack pack and don't worry about sail ties at all.....

 

[bbg]

Agreed. In fact my preference is not to use them at all.

 

[Robin]

I haven't tied in reef points for 30 years or more and indeed I wonder why sails still come with them. Lazyjacks do help stop the slab from occasionally billowing and a stackpak even more so, but I didn't tie in the slabs well before I had any lazyjacks on my various boats over the years so this isn't necessary. The risk of sail damage from unfair loads not to mention the extra hassle is a very good reason to drop the practice entirely in my book.

 

[William_H]

I do tie the reef points up on my little boat if I have the energy or time and certainly so with 2 reefs. I don't use lazy jacks etc. So the spare sail will hang down restricting visibility. I also tie the very front one as top priority because that can blow outwards when on the wind.
Certainly it doesn't matter if it is around the boom or just the sail bunt.
If you are worried about hauling up the sail with a tie in use thinner string to tie it up so the string will snap. olewilll

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

"use thinner string"..... I tried that..... after I had to cut them with a knife for the third time becuase the thin string was too difficult to undo with cold fingers, I gave up on the darned things completely..... never looked back!

 

[PeteCooper]

At a recent presentation by a local sailmaker he said to use shockcord for tying in the reef points. The idea is that it is strong enough to hold the sail tidy, but if the reefing pennant slips the shockcord will not put a big load on the reefing points.

 

[Malabar]

Always, if physically possible, around the bunt of the sail. Not round the boom. The weight of the sail must be taken at the tack and clew. Reef pendants are only to neaten up the sail and keep it from flogging around.

 

[Robin]

I found that the next reef line acted as a sort of lazyjack for the reef in place and you could also push/wedge a bit of the loose stuff into the bit along the boom at either end where it is tightest. However before then as mentioned by someone else I used shockcord, but in a different way. If I remember right we put a light shockcord in and out of the reef cringles between tack and clew and clipped a line with plastic hooks along under the boom which hooked onto the shockcord when a reef was in place. Quicker than ties and less risk to the sail but still hassle. I've never found a problem with leaving the loose sail as is, even with a large mainsail as we have now and even with all three reefs in place.

 

[AliM]

"I've never found a problem with leaving the loose sail as is, even with a large mainsail as we have now and even with all three reefs in place."

However, i have had a problem. The rain runs down the sail and gathers in the reef. When you shake it out, all the water funnels neatly down your neck!

 

[Robin]

[ QUOTE ]
However, i have had a problem. The rain runs down the sail and gathers in the reef. When you shake it out, all the water funnels neatly down your neck!

[/ QUOTE ]

You sail in the RAIN? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Yes I had forgotten that can happen!

 

[scotty123]

but if the reefing pennant slips the shockcord will not put a big load on the reefing points.
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If worried about this, particularly with 2nd/3rd reef when wind will be higher, some recommend a sail tie used as a 'earing', tied around the boom at the pennant (outboard boom end ) just in case.

Certainly practised on the BT Challenge yachts.

 

[kds]

I find that the first reef holds in the foot of the sail, the second reef the next metre or so and the 3rd reef the following section, so very little billows around to cause real problems and the lazyjacks certainly help. But all 3 reefs need to be tight to keep the sail in order.
ken