How much wind before you reef?

[Ubergeekian]

OK so you are happy at night to make a knot or two less under sail with less sail area than the weather demands which must make for a very lifeless boat going nowhere slowly and especially so in any sea.

I have no problem with losing a knot or so at night, no, for the reasons I gave.

I'm not saying sail it powered right up but to be well under canvassed makes for a very unresponsive boat.

You are welcome to come for a sail on my boat and check the truth of that for one reef.

My point is that if the reefing systems are set up properly it shouldn't make any difference whatsoever if it is night or day, the job is the same and the mechanics of doing it should be instinctive.

On the Jouster I could (roller) reef the main from the cockpit but reefing or changing jibs needed a trip to the foredeck. On Jumblie I can roller reef the jib from the cockpit but slab reefing the main requires a trip to the coachroof. I have a personal safety policy of avoiding trips out of the cockpit as much as possible when alone on deck at night.

There should be no problem with putting a few more rolls in if and when needed in the dark and even if this is done instead of another reef in the main.

'Zactly. On Jumblie I have found it easy to reef the main well down before dusk and then roll the jib in and out as seems sensible.

 

[dunedin]

Under 10 knots = fast but fearsome

10-15 knots = perfection

15 - 20 knots = cruiser, bit under canvassed

over 20 knots = mobo

 

[lenseman]

Under 10 knots = fast but fearsome

10-15 knots = perfection

15 - 20 knots = cruiser, bit under canvassed

over 20 knots = mobo

over 25 knots = Hedoniste 44

Apparently, they don't start to get going until it is blowing a SIX.

She is 25 tons of steel ketch to get moving and built for the southern oceans.