Best knot to tie reef line around boom

[Norman_E]

One assumes the reefing line goes to the aft end of the boom, therefore there is a large backwards component to the pull, which increases as the cringle gets closer to the boom.

Actually the backward component gets less as the cringle approaches the boom if the tie round the boom is too far forward. In explanation there is equal tension on the rope either side of the point where it passes through the cringle. That is why I suggested tying the bitter end back to the boom end to keep the tie round the boom a little behind the point where the cringle would touch the boom. That way there should be no problem in getting some foot tension to flatten the sail.

P.S. The real issue is that the wind on the sail is trying to belly it out, putting a big force on the sail trying to pull the clew (i.e the reefing cringle) forwards. That force is therefore trying to slide the tie round the boom forwards and if it does so you cannot flatten the sail by pulling the reefing line.

 

[vyv_cox]

That is why I suggested tying the bitter end back to the boom end to keep the tie round the boom a little behind the point where the cringle would touch the boom. That way there should be no problem in getting some foot tension to flatten the sail.

Sorry, I can't agree with that. There has to be something to resist the vertical force, which is considerable with a multi-purchase mainsheet and a good blow. Having all the restraint in the horizontal is a perfect recipe for ripping the cringle out of the sail. The prescribed method, with a loose noose around the boom, provides a variable restraint in both the vertical and horizontal.

 

[RUSSH]

What about a stoker's dhobey hitch?

I'll get my coat.

 

[SAMYL]

Why not a Buntline Hitch.
At least it will stand up to a lot of flogging where a bowline will probably undo unless it is seized.

 

[trapezeartist]

Ensure that the halyard is sufficiently freed first. With a lot of wind in the sail the boom flogs up and down to quite an extent, which seems to give a vertical component to the clew reefing pennant. I find that lifting the boom while hauling helps to get rhe foot flat.

Thanks, Vyv. That's an interesting thought that I'll try next time.

Just to clarify, the pennant comes from the boom end, through the cringle and down to the bowline arrangement around the boom. Effectively the pennant is horizontal on one side of the sail and vertical on the other so should be applying horizontal and vertical forces. There is nothing to positively locate the loop around the boom but in practice it does seem to sit nicely just aft of the cringle.

 

[vyv_cox]

Just to clarify, the pennant comes from the boom end, through the cringle and down to the bowline arrangement around the boom. Effectively the pennant is horizontal on one side of the sail and vertical on the other so should be applying horizontal and vertical forces. There is nothing to positively locate the loop around the boom but in practice it does seem to sit nicely just aft of the cringle.

Exactly the same as mine, and I believe as described in the Selden info. The beauty of it is that the loop can slide aft as tension comes on, placing it in the ideal position automatically. Lifting the boom seems to assist the sliding by preventing the noose from closing too early.