Mainsail reefing areas?

J

jcr

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19 Dec 2002
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I am in the process of converting my reefing system from roller to slab. I now need to have some reefing points put into my main, which is still in very good condition. Is there a formula to determine optimum areas or depths?

Many thanks in anticipation of your help.

jcr
 
ask your sailmaker

though if he's a racing type he may be over-optimistic about areas.

unless you have a trysail you'll want the 3rd reef to be pretty deep. mine is about 45% of the way up the luff, giving a reefed area around 30% of the full sail.

good idea to have the clew cringle on the deepest reef a little above the horizontal so as to keep the boom end out of the water.
 
Re: ask your sailmaker

I think I posted the same question a year or two back. Try doing a search because I've forgotten the answers! What I will say is that I am very happy with the results so whatever the concensus was - I'd go with it again.
 
On my main there are two reefing points. The first one is 20% up the luff and the second is 36% up the luff from the tack.
There is also a cuningham eye 4.5% up, and a flatening reef on the leach 5% above the clew.

Actual luff length is 35' 5"

There is no third reef

Iain
 
I would suggest asking your sailmaker as there are a number of variables on the positioning and number of reefs in the main.

My standard main has 4 reefs - but then it's fully-battened, the boat is a very powerful 7/8 rig and the 4th reef is for >F8 conditions.
The lightweather main has 5 reefs.

I would suggest that 2 reefs are inadequate, unless the boat is undercanvassed in any case, though the need for the 3rd on a masthead rigged boat is reduced.
 
Re: Curious...

Not in-mast roller, The old system of rolling the main around the boom.

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Re: Curious...

Sail round the boom furling was the in thing during the 50/60's and certainly if you could do it slowly, deliberately and under calm conditions it was great.
At least for the first 5/6 rolls, after which the boom-end drooped, the sail took up the shape of Dians Dors' left cup and going about became a nightmare of pole-axed crew falling overboard.

The modern in-boom and in-mast sytems also have major disadvantages, which may be worth putting up with if you are a fair-weather, occasional, recreational sailor.

Having seen the results of jammed systems I'd not sail any distance on a boat equipped with either in mast or in boom furling.

But then you can always motor!!


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Re: Curious...

With 'in boom' reefing, if it jams then at least you can still drop the main and tie it up to the boom. With 'in mast' if it jams as far as I know the only choice is to release the clew and wrap a halyard round the mast or something. A far from satisfactory solution.
I am aware that main reefing is much more reliable these days, but give me slab reefing any day.

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