In mast Add on reefing return to traditional

[Whiterose]

I have an Easyreef system add on inmast reefing system.Has any one had one removed and return to original slab/ stack pack?This is on Westerly 35 Cheers

 

[DanTribe]

I removed my Easyreef from my UFO 31.
Best improvement I ever made.

 

[Tranona]

Pretty straightforward to remove as it is just rivetted on and original track will still be there. However, new sail, required plus if you want to have lines led back to cockpit approx £2k of bits (boom or conversion of existing), blocks, organisers, clutches and winches - although you may be able to recycle some of what you have.

 

[DanTribe]

Apart from a new sail which I had to buy anyway, all I had to get was a new gooseneck and track gate. (And some rivets to fill the holes).

 

[Tranona]

But you need other bits IF you want (as is most common these days) to take the lines back to the cockpit. Estimate based on going through this exercise now on a similar size boat. Actual costs will depend on how much of the existing control gear can be re-used.

 

[Neeves]

Pretty straightforward to remove as it is just rivetted on and original track will still be there. However, new sail, required plus if you want to have lines led back to cockpit approx £2k of bits (boom or conversion of existing), blocks, organisers, clutches and winches - although you may be able to recycle some of what you have.

But you need other bits IF you want (as is most common these days) to take the lines back to the cockpit. Estimate based on going through this exercise now on a similar size boat. Actual costs will depend on how much of the existing control gear can be re-used.

I second Tramoma's comment - wholeheartedly.

Having a second reef at the mast, and worse a third reef at the mast, needs some serious thought - do you want you or your crew at the mast when you need to put a reef in?

The obvious answer is to run the lines back to the cockpit and then you need to have blocks at the mast base, a decent deck organiser, or organisers and maybe another winch.. Not forgetting some new clutches This also means more of a trip hazard and/or reinforcing under the deck.

We partially solved this problem by simply leaving the first reef at the mast and then having reefs 2 and 3 in the cockpit.

But I'm a real wimp - I don't want to be wrestling at the mast putting a third reef in as though we commonly sail as a couple shouting instructions to ones wife, when you really need that third reef, is not conducive to marital harmony.


Any future yacht we buy will have the ability to lead ALL control lines to the cockpit.


If, for whatever reason, the existing reefing arrangement is unacceptable I would consider the options - but probably bite the bullet and err on the side of safety and bring the lines aft (to the cockpit).

Jonathan

 

[johnalison]

A friend took the reefing system off his Nic 32 and sold it on eBay for about £800.

 

[Whiterose]

Thanks all... I think I knew what response would be ...but as I bought a new sail last year to improve its performance along with a rod kicker ...probably have to stay a while??