Feasible to fit single line reefing to Nicholson 32

[NigelCraig]

Before making an offer on Nic32 wondered whether it is possible to fit single line reefing so that everything can be done from the cockpit. The shape of Nic32 coachroof seems to make it difficult if not impossible to do this. How do you get sufficient luff tension without dropping reefing cringle over the hooks? I'm inclined to keep everything at the mast, fit lazyjacks/stacpac and rely on autohelm to keep head to wind.

 

[Twister_Ken]

On a boat like the N32 it's easier to reef when hove to. Much less frantic.

 

[nathanlee]

Before making an offer on Nic32 wondered whether it is possible to fit single line reefing so that everything can be done from the cockpit. The shape of Nic32 coachroof seems to make it difficult if not impossible to do this. How do you get sufficient luff tension without dropping reefing cringle over the hooks? I'm inclined to keep everything at the mast, fit lazyjacks/stacpac and rely on autohelm to keep head to wind.

It would definitely be tight, as you need to run pretty much everything back. My little corribee had the topping lift, kicker, and main halyard running back, and they were all used when reefing. Looking at the coachroof on my Nic, and can't imagine it fitting in there, but, it's quite obviously possible if you look at this picture...

p661111-deck.jpg

 

[jwilson]

I've seen several Nic 32s with reefing lines led back, including http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/boats/p66...61111-deck.jpg (I took the photo - that boat had a new boom). Personally though I'd leave reefing at the mast, the added friction from all the blocks and turns is so much that I'd rather just go on deck, hove to as Ken says. I've sailed a Nic 32, and about as steady a platform as you'll get with 32 ft.

 

[Wansworth]

Mymates go a nic 32 that went rtw with just old fashioned boom roller reefing,he heaves too and slacks of the halliard and rolls up the main.Works ok.He also has a single line of cringles half way up as back up.

 

[Vara]

I had a look at doing that on my Nic and came to the conclusion that it was difficult, unsightly and probably very inefficient.

So just put a standard slab system on the boom, ripped off the design from the Barton site.

Nice thing about the Nic32 is that it does offer a stable platform for at the mast evolutions, none of the skittish bouncing around of the more modern plastic fantastics.

If you have an original roller reefing boom, it can be adapted to slab quite easily, don't bother with the roller reef it's pretty hopeless.

 

[Iain C]

There's no reason why you can't have separate lines for clew and tack. I fitted cockpit reefing to my Sabre and as my boom was a roller jobbie years ago there was'nt enough room for a single line setup, and I didn't much fancy going up to use a ram's horn on the gooseneck. So I just winch the tack down first, close the clutch, flip the line off, put the clew line on and repeat. Takes no time at all and a lot less friction.

 

[NigelCraig]

I've seen several Nic 32s with reefing lines led back, including http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/boats/p66...61111-deck.jpg (I took the photo - that boat had a new boom). Personally though I'd leave reefing at the mast, the added friction from all the blocks and turns is so much that I'd rather just go on deck, hove to as Ken says. I've sailed a Nic 32, and about as steady a platform as you'll get with 32 ft.

Thats what I do with my gaffer but the luff is laced fairly loosely to the mast. The main is under some load hove to - won't the sliders jam in the track on a marconi rig?

 

[stav]

On my nic 36, very similar to a 32, all was done at the mast and she had such a steady motion it was not a problem. I did have a stak Pac which helped as well. Good autopilot and enough space to motor, or sail with enough way on for it to steer. Current boat a westerly Conway 36` has normal slab reading with halyard at mast but I have taken the topping lift and reef lines to the cockpit. I did this after removing a vertical roller reading system.

To reef:
Ease sheet, tighten topping lift,
Go to mast, ease Halyard put feeding eye on hook, tension halyard,
Back to cockpit tension reef, ease topping lift, tension kicker.

Bear away and go below to make cup of tea from freshly boiled kettle that was put on at start of process.

Lovely boat you have there, just enjoying getting out in a good breeze as often as possible.