Booms for single line reefing ?

[ghostlymoron]

Rutgerson clutches, 2x2 and 1x1 - if you change to a x4 clutch-block + 1 single you'll probably get them in. From memory the largest clutch block made by Rutgerson is a 4 block. I infinitely prefer ring clutches, such as Lewmar or Spinlock, but they are, I'm pretty sure wider.

My original 3 reef system has been easily converted to 4 lines, the 1st two of which are single-line. The 2nd one converted to single line runs in the old in-boom sheaves with additional external blocks. The additional friction of the inferior in-boom blocks makes the 2nd reef much more difficult to put in.
The big problems with single-line reefing lie in the frictional resistance and, by the time you've got to the 2nd reef, the vast amount of string in the cockpit.
I'd suggest you're stuck with single line, unless you can utilise the space on the starboard side of the main-hatch.
My foot-length is marginally under 4m and the main, being a 3/4 rig, rather larger than the UFO 31.
Personally I find, with a little careful adjustment of vang and mainsheet, when putting in the reef, no need for a balancing block.
As I sail single-handed and am definitely suffering the infirmities of age, single-sheet reefing is a boon, the 1st using all external Harken carbo-blocks goes in taking about about half a minute.
See the HarkenUS site for the detail. I've used it for about 8 seasons - 20k nautical miles on an oversize main which overlaps the backstay by about 500mm.

On you photo what are the little cam cleats for? They seem to be mounted the wrong way round.

 

[rob2]

Is there space to starboard of the hatch for another winch and some clutches? It may actally be an advantage to separate the extra reefing lines from all the controls you have already!

Rob.

P.S. On the question of cost, a second hand winch and clutches would save quite a bit against a new boom and would be in keeping with the other equipment.

 

[winsbury]

Take a gander at the single line reefing system used on the Laser Bahia - its also detailed in Seldens application diagrams for their dinghy booms. Its achieved with very simple rigging and takes up almost no space inside the boom. The inboard ends have three sheaves built in so its fairly easy to see how its possible to put three single line reefing sets into a single system. My Wayfarer boom is rigged like this ( two reefs though ) and the boom section is considerably more substantial than the boom on our Pegasus 700 so Im pretty sure the components would be up to the task on a relatively small boom like yours especially if you use good quality ( ie Harken) parts and dyneema line to keep diameters sensible.