Mainsail roller reefing handle

[bikerbill]

Hi all

I have looked in ebay for a 10mm handle to wind the boom for my mainsail, but can't find one so far. The local chandlers do not stock them. If I can't locate one, I am thinking of making one from the connecting bar that you find in house door handles welded to an old speed brace I have in the garage.

 

[Seajet]

If you don't mind ordering by phone & post, these people would be well worth trying

http://www.chandlerybarge.co.uk/default.asp?cookiecheck=yes&

 

[VicS]

Hi all

I have looked in ebay for a 10mm handle to wind the boom for my mainsail, but can't find one so far. The local chandlers do not stock them. If I can't locate one, I am thinking of making one from the connecting bar that you find in house door handles welded to an old speed brace I have in the garage.

Is that the Barton reefing handle you require? 21 323 on this page?

http://www.bartonmarine.com/products-winches-handles-and-accessories.asp

About ... £35 mail order from chandlers


BUT

Now is the time to do yourself a favour and convert to slab reefing

 

[bikerbill]

Is that the Barton reefing handle you require? 21 323 on this page?

http://www.bartonmarine.com/products-winches-handles-and-accessories.asp

About ... £35 mail order from chandlers


BUT

Now is the time to do yourself a favour and convert to slab reefing

Looks like it Vic, thanks. I had been advised to forget about roller reefing but to slab reef as you said. Despite many years as a boat owner, usually cabin cruisers and larger dive boats, I have never used sails before. Suppose I will need to read up on reefing sails.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Looks like it Vic, thanks. I had been advised to forget about roller reefing but to slab reef as you said. Despite many years as a boat owner, usually cabin cruisers and larger dive boats, I have never used sails before. Suppose I will need to read up on reefing sails.

Door lock connecting bar should fit, and should be cheaper... either that or et down to the local metal workers and ask them for a length of square bar, and then ask them to ut a couple of right angles in it jobs a good'un...

I'm kind of unusual in that i like roller reefing... I find it quite simple - but I've never had slab reefing to compare it to...

 

[VicS]

Looks like it Vic, thanks. I had been advised to forget about roller reefing but to slab reef as you said. Despite many years as a boat owner, usually cabin cruisers and larger dive boats, I have never used sails before. Suppose I will need to read up on reefing sails.

If you have the roller reefing boom it makes some sense to get/ make a handle for it and to try it out.
Although converted to slab reefing long ago I keep the handle and lubricate the gear from time to time ... just in case

I found that as the sail was rolled the boom end drooped further and further.
You have to make some provision for the kicking strap which other wise can simply attach with a key hole plate or whatever. I had a claw ring.
You cannot tension the new foot effectively and the sail ends up all baggy in the conditions you really need to be flattening it.

Slab reefing just about overcomes all those problems although you do end up with yards more rope around the place