Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
Need to order some halyards on the internet. How long should a 130% genny reefing line be? 1.5 x boat length or longer?
How long a reefing line?
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Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
I reckon there must be 20' on my furling drum when fully wound in, so 1.5x just sounds a little bit short to me.... i'd be inclined to go for 1.75x or even 2x.... you can always cut 10 feet off and use it for something else.... but its harder to add on!
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
How long was the old one?
If it is a totally new setup, put an old line on the drum and wind it up till the drum is full then measure it and add a boats length.
If it is a totally new setup, put an old line on the drum and wind it up till the drum is full then measure it and add a boats length.
Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
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How long was the old one?
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Now I was hoping some smart arse wouldnt ask that, the nearly new one I have on there was bought too short! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
How long was the old one?
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Now I was hoping some smart arse wouldnt ask that, the nearly new one I have on there was bought too short! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Bodach na mara
Well-Known Member
The length of line on the drum when wound is X-times greater than the length from the clew of the sail to the luff measured along a line that is at right angles to the luff. This is to provide the mechanical advantage that allows you to roll the sail in. So much, so useless, as it is not possible in general to determine the multiplying factor, X, but I would expect it to be at least six. The foot of the sail is greater than the measurement I have described, usually by about 20%, so a crude estimate would be 5 x foot + length from forestay fitting to cockpit + a bit more. Doing a bit more maths (keeps the mind active) and assuming that J is about 1/3 of boat length, I have come up with a figure of three times boat length.
As Morgana says, it is hard to add any line on (I would even suggest impossible) so look for a bargain hank of stuff of the right thickness about twice as long as you think you will need. Better still measure it first and allow a bit more. I remember I once bought rope for new main and jib halyards. I knew the length of the mainsail sail luff (28 feet) but for some inexplicable reason I forgot to double it and bought a hank at a boat jumble containing only 90 feet, thinking I would have plenty left. What was left in fact was useful as a painter for the tender.
As Morgana says, it is hard to add any line on (I would even suggest impossible) so look for a bargain hank of stuff of the right thickness about twice as long as you think you will need. Better still measure it first and allow a bit more. I remember I once bought rope for new main and jib halyards. I knew the length of the mainsail sail luff (28 feet) but for some inexplicable reason I forgot to double it and bought a hank at a boat jumble containing only 90 feet, thinking I would have plenty left. What was left in fact was useful as a painter for the tender.
Salty John
Well-Known Member
If it's any help, Schaefer marine supplies a line 1.66 times boat length with their systems. That is 1.66 times the longest boat length for which a particular furler type is recommended.
Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
That sounds about right, but I still welcome any other thoughts. Probably go for x1.75.
dnickj
Well-Known Member
How short ??
just add this magic number to what you already have
just add this magic number to what you already have
Conrad
Well-Known Member
my boat is 26'8'' my reefing line just bought is 20m about 7-8mm thick.
Care should be taken as not to get too thick a line as it jams the drum when full which is why I bought new line and went down a size, I found the manufacturers varied in their actual size against stated so ended up buying two seperate lengths and now have a new spinnaker halyard.
Care should be taken as not to get too thick a line as it jams the drum when full which is why I bought new line and went down a size, I found the manufacturers varied in their actual size against stated so ended up buying two seperate lengths and now have a new spinnaker halyard.
Conrad
Well-Known Member
Ignore that I was thinking furling line.
fireball
Well-Known Member
We've just replaced ours - 30' boat ... furling line - 16m .... but ours doesn't travel the whole length of the boat - comes into the cockpit from the bow and terminates there. (Others I know do go to the stern first).
We purchased a 6mm line - but because it was a "thin 6mm" it didn't grip in the cleat very well so I had to purchase another 16mm - this time 8mm (again thin) - but this time it was a rougher texture and not the smooth one of the 6mm ...
We purchased a 6mm line - but because it was a "thin 6mm" it didn't grip in the cleat very well so I had to purchase another 16mm - this time 8mm (again thin) - but this time it was a rougher texture and not the smooth one of the 6mm ...
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
Whats a Genny reefing line? Is that the same as the furling line?
My furling line is 50ft, as it travels the length of the boat (35ft) goes through a clutch, around a turning block on the rear stanchion and back to the genoa sheet winch with about 5 foot spare after self tailing and 3 turns on the winch. Not required for normal ops, just a prudent additional length.
I keep no more than 4 extra turns on the drum when fully furled.
8mm braid on braid in a fetching shade of yellow.
My furling line is 50ft, as it travels the length of the boat (35ft) goes through a clutch, around a turning block on the rear stanchion and back to the genoa sheet winch with about 5 foot spare after self tailing and 3 turns on the winch. Not required for normal ops, just a prudent additional length.
I keep no more than 4 extra turns on the drum when fully furled.
8mm braid on braid in a fetching shade of yellow.
gandy
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Need to order some halyards on the internet. How long should a 130% genny reefing line be? 1.5 x boat length or longer?
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I don't think there can be a general answer without specifying the furling gear. Our old Rotostay needed a significantly longer line than the new Profurl, for the same sail.
Need to order some halyards on the internet. How long should a 130% genny reefing line be? 1.5 x boat length or longer?
[/ QUOTE ]
I don't think there can be a general answer without specifying the furling gear. Our old Rotostay needed a significantly longer line than the new Profurl, for the same sail.
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
I took reefing line to mean furling line as it does both jobs.
Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
Reefing line, furling line, yes you are both right, sorry I should have called it furling, its the more regular name.
I'm going for 2 x boat length, the stuff is so cheap, I'd rather chop a bit off if I have too. Anyway, Fullcircle has given me an idea that I can use with a longer length. I'm going to take the line through a block on the pushpit so the crew (SWMBO) can get a decent angle on the winch. Although the foil swivels easy enough, it's a bu99er to wind away the genny, especialy when its blowing a bit.
I'm going for 2 x boat length, the stuff is so cheap, I'd rather chop a bit off if I have too. Anyway, Fullcircle has given me an idea that I can use with a longer length. I'm going to take the line through a block on the pushpit so the crew (SWMBO) can get a decent angle on the winch. Although the foil swivels easy enough, it's a bu99er to wind away the genny, especialy when its blowing a bit.
