Need to Reef

[Cotillion]

But which one first. Main Or Genoa?

 

[Aussie farmer]

Lay off the reefers maybe.

 

[Tranona]

Depends on the boat and rig

 

[dansaskip]

As Tranona says it depends on the boat and the rig and I might add the size of the Genoa.

 

[pmagowan]

Genoa first, main second. Don’t want a big floppy genoa hitting you around the face while you luff up to reef the main.

 

[Boathook]

Genoa first, main second. Don’t want a big floppy genoa hitting you around the face while you luff up to reef the main.

I do main first whilst sailing. No need to luff up.

 

[Skylark]

Depends upon boat and sail configuration. When overpowered, does it have weather helm, in which case reef main, or lee helm, in which case reef the headsail.

 

[Yealm]

Depends upon boat and sail configuration. When overpowered, does it have weather helm, in which case reef main, or lee helm, in which case reef the headsail.

I think an over-large genoa can also cause weather helm if it causes excess healing - through waterline and keel effects?

 

[johnalison]

I don't carry a genoa, just a 110% jib. Generally, this means reefing the main first but just occasionally I might reef the jib first if I am going to have to short tack, as in a river. If I had a genoa again I would also reef that first, for the reason that if I reefed the main first, I might then need to reef the genoa as a second reef and that would be at higher wind speeds. Reefing the main can be done at any wind speed but it becomes increasingly harder for a jib/genoa.

 

[ithet]

I think an over-large genoa can also cause weather helm if it causes excess healing - through waterline and keel effects?

This is definitely the case with my yacht which has a massive bulb keel. I reef the 130% Genoa first when it is too difficult to wind in. This reduces heeling and weather helm. The main gets reefed when we still can't keep heel below 20%. I would also add condition of sails and point of sailing to the list of variables, the old baggy Genny we used the other week caused us to head off and heel so much it had to be reefed hard. The new flatter genny allows closer angles and can be rolled up to be like a blade. A further variable is main aspect ratio. My low aspect masthead rig means that my full main effectively has a reef compared to more sporty fractional counterparts, which is the reason I did not go for a blade.

 

[Biggles Wader]

Also depends on which point of sailing. Reefing the genoa always results in significant loss of shape/performance for me so I try to keep it fully deployed as long as possible. Main gets reefed first.
Beaten to it above!

 

[Channel Sailor]

Another point to consider, if the wind is expected to increase further, then reef the most difficult or time consuming one first. Agreeing with the above: Depends on the boat and the rig design/proportions. if going upwind then try to keep your genoa luff length long and a good shape for windward work. Though mainsails with a large roach or even a flat top also is something to factor into the decision. On my yacht the 1st reef in the Genoa is OK for some relief but a proper reefed effect on the yacht comes with the 1st reef in the mainsail. It is a fractional rig.

 

[Stemar]

Obviously, it depends on the boat but, all things being equal, if I have to go to the mast to reef the main, I'd rather do that first. If I've got the genny down to a pocket handkerchief and still need less sail, I really don't want to have to go forward to reef the main.

 

[byanyothername]

It will obviously depend upon your boat.
Personally, after some experimentation, I
always reef the main first. My Westerly Centaur is much happier balanced with full Genoa and one reef in the main than vice versa. But YMMV.

 

[Bathdave]

It will obviously depend upon your boat.
Personally, after some experimentation, I
always reef the main first. My Westerly Centaur is much happier balanced with full Genoa and one reef in the main than vice versa. But YMMV.

This is what I concluded on our boat, after a couple of years of thinking I should reef the Genoa first

my sequence now goes

- ease traveller
- 1 reef in main
- 2 reefs in main
- reef Genoa

we have a 115% Yankee cut genoa,

this sequence keeps the boat better balanced

 

[geem]

Totally dependent on the boat and what genoa or jib you are flying. Give us a clue

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Also depends on the sea state and point you are sailing. If you are running downwind in a heavy quartering sea then dropping the main first, never mind reefing, may be the best option unless you have a silly-sized IOR rules- driven Genoa.