Do reefing lines need to go to a winch?

[ridgy]

32' boat. Replacing the clutches and I have a Z spar boom with the flick up stopper things at the mast end of the boom.
I guess I'm being a tight bastard wanting to pay for "just" 10 clutch inputs not 12 but also ponder that the reefing lines, already a 2:1 purchase could be taken in by hand from the boom and secured there. Boat has a topping lift so boom could be raised to meet the reef point.
I've been sailing bigger boats recently that do need winching.
Going to the mast isn't a problem. I'm also fond of the idea of less rope in the cockpit.

 

[Tranona]

Only you can decide if a winch is necessary - but probably not if the line is not taken back to the cockpit with the extra friction. I am just in the process of taking the lines back to the cockpit on a similar sized boat with a large mainsail and I shall have a ST winch. Always a trade of - for me the line in the cockpit and the extra friction is a good trade of against not having to go to the mast to do any normal sail handling.

 

[Neeves]

You know if you need to use a winch.

We have Selden reefing with clutches at the end of the boom. We took the reefing lines back to the cockpit to minimise the need of going to the mast - if you are putting in a third reef the conditions are usually such its better to complete reefing from the cockpit.

Make some bags to store the reefing lines in.

Jonathan

 

[Concerto]

Personally I would fit the clutches as you will appreciate the ease of working. My Fulmar, which has a massive mainsail of just over 25m² due to the ¾ rig, means I can get a better set on the main as the reefing lines are fed back to a 40:1 self tailing winch (uprated from a 16:1). Last year I found the 2 reef points were not sufficient and have had a 3rd set fitted. Luckily I have space on my set up for an additional reef line.

 

[William_H]

On my little boat 21ft but with large main sail I reef often. Yes both lines for tack eyelet and clew eyelet go back to cabin top and winch. I have 4 small halyard winches. Only one clutch and I don't love that as it tends to slip for main halyard. I just use horn cleats with lines staying on winch. I note sometimes a small winch is not much more expensive than a clutch.
Any way by using winches I can reef when on the wind without using topping lift. Winches enable me to get a really tight reef with tack tucked in near boom and mast and clew will stretched out to flatten main sail and clew close to boom. All from cockpit. If convenient I then like to tie a light rope around clew to help take main sheet loads. Then I may if convenient again tie up the bunt with gaskets. First reef is ok without gaskets. ol'will

 

[LadyInBed]

I reef at the mast and to get enough tension on the reefing line for it to hold on the boom cam I need to tension on a winch.

 

[Supertramp]

Consider reefing in really poor, rough conditions and when tired (unless you can avoid such situations!). And will you need to do it singlehanded? You want it to be really straightforward and not involve running about. Working at the mast is OK but then it can be hard to adjust mainsheet etc. At 32' I would suspect access to a winch was wise, even just for the last 6 inches. You won't be congratulating your economy in only having 10 clutches if it means unnecessary deck acrobatics.