Bodging a missing roller reefing handle?

[steve yates]

Ive lost the handle for my bradwell 18’s roller reefing boom sonehow. While looking for a replacement, anyone know a good bodge to roll up the boom without one? Im away sailing at the mo and the need may arise
Thanks

 

[LittleSister]

Reefing's for wimps!


A few ideas, Don't know if any will be useful or not. -

a) I am trying to remember the arrangement at the gooseneck. Doesn't the rolling boom fit to the mast with a square pin on the gooseneck? In which case before hoisting the sail but with he foot fixed to the boom, pull the boom off the gooseneck, roll the relevant amount of sail onto the boom, and then refit the boom to the gooseneck and hoist the sail

b) Don't the turning mechanisms usually have a square socket? About 3/8"? Isn't 3/8" one of the standard sizes for socket sets? Are you passing civilisation and could buy/borrow/steal a cheap socket spanner set ratchet handle? Or an engineering shop could knock you up a simple L shaped lever?

c) Put the main away and hoist the foresail in its place.

d) If pushed, you can reduce the size of the sail by tying a knot in it, or tying a strop round it luff to leech, such that the top half of the sail is bunched up against the mast. The bottom half of the sail will, of course, have a terrible shape and lots of big creases from the knot to the foot but be ok for running and at least usable for reaching. (It won't be particularly kind to the sail, I would have thought.)

 

[PlankWalker]

First Rule of Sailing, Don't Bodge.

 

[LittleSister]

First Rule of Sailing, Don't Bodge.

That would be a fine rule for anyone with infinite funds and time, and whose sailing 'adventures' don't involve any surprises.

 

[Refueler]

I have had my reefing handle get 'flipped' overboard by errant halyard end ... so I know the problem well.

The problem is that the square part that does the work is deep into the gooseneck fitting and it needs quite a long 'bit' to engage.

I used a large screwdriver till I obtained a replacement handle .. basically the flat blade sat across diagonal in the square slot .... a pair of molegrips on the shaft gave me a handle to turn the driver.

 

[rowlock]

Square bar can be bought, even stainless, in many sizes on Ebay. Bend to a S shape handle. You will need to measure the aperture for the correct size.
Not condoning bogey however the centre drive bar of a mortice lock, usually mild steel might fit and can be reduced with a file if necessary and may work with a Mole grip.

 

[Seashoreman]

I recently read that a door handle spindle may fit boom roller reefing.
Seems like the standard is 7.5 mm. Might be worth checking.
Can be bought at various lengths and bent in a vice?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/IRONMONGER...locphy=9045064&hvtargid=pla-555220391906&th=1

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Ive lost the handle for my bradwell 18’s roller reefing boom sonehow. While looking for a replacement, anyone know a good bodge to roll up the boom without one? Im away sailing at the mo and the need may arise
Thanks

Don't know the arrangement on a Bradwell 18, but on a Leisure 17 I had as my first boat, I found that the quarter inch square bar from a door handle fitted in the socket. I improvised a crank by using a door handle, with a knob added at the outer end.

 

[VicS]

Ive lost the handle for my bradwell 18’s roller reefing boom sonehow. While looking for a replacement, anyone know a good bodge to roll up the boom without one? Im away sailing at the mo and the need may arise
Thanks

What type is it?
Barton like this:- Barton Reefing Gear Handle 21323
If so plenty of suggestions above

Fortunately readily available
When you get the new one tie a loop of string to it that will slip over your wrist

Better long term solution is to convert to slab reefing

 

[Refueler]

What type is it?
Barton like this:- Barton Reefing Gear Handle 21323
If so plenty of suggestions above

Fortunately readily available
When you get the new one tie a loop of string to it that will slip over your wrist

Better long term solution is to convert to slab reefing

I tried all sorts to not lose the handle ... it was actually when not in use that I lost mine ... I used to drop mine into the small slot of the tabernacle to mast ... it was a convenient 'hole' for it. Then one day that halyard end flipped it out !!

I actually still like roller reefing ... but allied with reef points in the sail. I have 2 sets of reef point tails in the sail ... so I can release slugs and roll sail down to desired reef points ..... then lift aft end of boom level again and tie off the reef point at leech .... makes sail very tidy and not much work to do. Of course you lose the kicking strap - I don't like the horseshoe items that roll on the sail ...

 

[oldmanofthehills]

What type is it?
Barton like this:- Barton Reefing Gear Handle 21323
If so plenty of suggestions above

Fortunately readily available
When you get the new one tie a loop of string to it that will slip over your wrist

Better long term solution is to convert to slab reefing

Ok but Steve needs to order it for collection at some future harbour or marina on his tour - which I did for vital parts on my tour of scotland.

For the moment I suspect that door handle bar plus a suitable socket set to turn it will do the job, and it may be that 3/8 drive with an extension bar will do the job without the 'door' fitting

 

[oldmanofthehills]

I tried all sorts to not lose the handle ... it was actually when not in use that I lost mine ... I used to drop mine into the small slot of the tabernacle to mast ... it was a convenient 'hole' for it. Then one day that halyard end flipped it out !!

I actually still like roller reefing ... but allied with reef points in the sail. I have 2 sets of reef point tails in the sail ... so I can release slugs and roll sail down to desired reef points ..... then lift aft end of boom level again and tie off the reef point at leech .... makes sail very tidy and not much work to do. Of course you lose the kicking strap - I don't like the horseshoe items that roll on the sail ...

+1 for roller reefing. Gives a much neater reef and easier to do from rolling deck than slab, if wind too much.

I do however have cringles for slab reefing in case it all fails, as has happened when roller ceased solid, as then I could still set right sail area before leaving harbour - and if weather turn less blustery letting out reefs is quick

 

[KevinV]

First Rule of Sailing, Don't Bodge.

Poppycock. If you can't improvise you're going to be stuffed in an emergency.

Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

 

[VicS]

I tried all sorts to not lose the handle ... it was actually when not in use that I lost mine ... I used to drop mine into the small slot of the tabernacle to mast ... it was a convenient 'hole' for it. Then one day that halyard end flipped it out !!

I actually still like roller reefing ... but allied with reef points in the sail. I have 2 sets of reef point tails in the sail ... so I can release slugs and roll sail down to desired reef points ..... then lift aft end of boom level again and tie off the reef point at leech .... makes sail very tidy and not much work to do. Of course you lose the kicking strap - I don't like the horseshoe items that roll on the sail ...

Getting rid of the reefing claw and fitting a decent kicking strap was an important secondary benefit.

.

 

[Refueler]

Getting rid of the reefing claw and fitting a decent kicking strap was an important secondary benefit.

.

I agree .... kicker is a good 'safety item' ...

A work around I had when running afore the wind - was a short prevent line from toe-rail to boom .... which basically negated use of a kicker. But of course could not assist other than dead downwind ..

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Getting rid of the reefing claw and fitting a decent kicking strap was an important secondary benefit.

.

The current wisdom, when I had my Leisure 17 was to roll a sail bag into the sail and tie the kicker to it. I refined that by tying a sail tie around the bag and attaching the kicker to a bowline on the end of it.

 

[MoodySabre]

An old brace

 

[Refueler]

The current wisdom, when I had my Leisure 17 was to roll a sail bag into the sail and tie the kicker to it. I refined that by tying a sail tie around the bag and attaching the kicker to a bowline on the end of it.

The old idea was a strip of canvas / webbing ..... set into boom groove and when sail rolled - the webbing rolled with it ...

 

[Halo]

I used to carry an emergency rig in case I lost the handle. It was a mild steel spindle from a household door handle. To make it fit I had to round the corners off a fair bit. I would have used mole grips to turn it. Fortunately I handed over the original handle when I sold the boat