Friction in single line reefing

[riojasailer]

I've recently had lazyjacks fitted in an attempt to make my sail handling look less incompetent. It hasn't improved the friction I get in the reefing lines. I have a three reef system with a single line for each reef all neatly led back to the cockpit. The only way I can get the sail up easily is to arrange plenty of slack line flaked down in the stack pack with the sail before I set off. If I try to just pull the lines through by hauling on the main then all I get is a sore back and a three reefed sail!
Are they all like this or am I doing something else wrong? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[fireball]

What is the thickness of your reefing lines?
We had this issue when I put in some new lines this year, fortuantly it was cheap cut offs and I could cheaply replace them for some 8mm lines - these run through the boom and sail very much slicker than the others!!

 

[Swagman]

'Fraid so. You could ensure all blocks are running freely and well lubricated - and if you run your reefing lines through cringles - consider replacing those with cheek blocks sewn to the sail - but friction is your enemy.

But you might also consider if you have to go out each time with 3 reefing lines set up in the sail?

Removing the third reef line, and mousing the third reef point ot the second reef point (so you can put a line through in the event it is ever need) should significantly reduce friction for those majority of the days you hoist the sail.

Cheers
JOHN

 

[BlueChip]

Unless the sail was reefed when you dropped it there should be no friction in the reefing lines because they are already fully extended and out of the boom. When we drop the sail we simply lay the reefing lines along the sail inside the bag and then hoist the sail normally.
If the sail was reefed when it was dropped, then the only thing to do is to pull out the reefing lines at the mast and boom end before hoisting the sail again. Its best to do this as a matter of habit before leaving the berth

 

[William_H]

I am a little confused here. Is it possible you are pulling the reefing lines tight when you lower the sail to aid in stowage. in my case the reefing lines admittedly 2 line reefing stay fully extended ie for full sail even when the sail is lowered and stowed. (It does leave a lot of reefing line floating around at the end of the boom and the gooseneck.) So you only ever need to pull the reef lines out if you have had a reef in and need to go to full sail either when sailing or next time you hoist. or am I missing something
To reduce friction in reefing system a 2 line reefing system is simpler with less friction but does leave you with 6 lines in your case to the cockpit instead of present 3. regards olewill

 

[TigaWave]

They are all like that, you should have the lines pulled out of the end of the boom long enough to be slack when the main is up.
Theres already quite a bit of weight and friction in just pulling the main up so you dont need to make it any harder. I'd never try to get the halyard to pull the reefing lines out even on a dual reefing line set up and there is quit a bit more friction on single line.
New ropes and block meintenance will help a little but not much.

 

[riojasailer]

Thanks for all those replies. When I bought her and when the stack pack was fitted the lines were all pulled through as though all three reefs had been taken in. I thought that was how it was meant to be - it just goes to show I should never assume anything.

 

[ditchcrawler]

After I have reefed I always pull the lines through from the end of the boom to avoid your problem.It is quite hard to do by hand.There is alot of friction in single line reefing systems.As mentioned above new sails often have flat cheek blocks sewn on instead of cringles.The sailspar system works wonderfully at the boat show,unlike my sailspar system.