Reefing (again)

[Norman_E]

Thanks to all who replied to my post on changing reefing arrangements. I have decided to change the deep second reef to a two line arrangement to reduce the friction, and to try and change the first reef to single line. I note that more that one of the replies mentioned cheek blocks sewn to the sail at either luff or leach reefing points. My sail has eyes for the reefing points and I am wondering if blocks for the reefing lines can be attached to the existing eyes, without any sewing. Has anybody done this?

 

[Slow_boat]

I see no reason why you shouldn't attatch a block to a good sized stainless ring through the eye, like the type that goes over the ramshorn.

I might try that myself, now that you mention it!

I've been wondering about the possibility of shackleing a block to the clew end of the boom to take the reefing lines from the leach. Would it bang around to much when not reefed and how to stop it clattering on the boom if it did?

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

and don't forget that you'd lose an inch or so of reefing space with the block when it was attached to the spectacles

 

[simonfraser]

harken do some natty tie on blocks, should be small enough for the purpose

if they flap around, bungy chord ?

p.s. the whole thing is a very good idea, you are making me think !

 

[jimi]

I've got cheek blocks and they are good, however they are really better for letting the reef out rather than putting it in. My suspicion would be that free blocks would be more hassle than they are worth (jamming on the gooseneck etc etc and the decrease in friction would'nt justify it. Try it and see.

 

[charles_reed]

The 1st of 4 reefs on my boat is a single-line reef, coming back to the cockpit, using Harken Airlite 40 blocks.

The cheek-blocks are mounted on the the boom, not on the sail, and I do use the original reef cringles for the attachment, by tape to the swivel blocks.

My experience is that stiching is not strong enough for the load exerted on the blocks.

The system has worked perfectly over about 10K miles during the last three years and I can reef in about 35 seconds - quite useful on an oversize main in the Med.

Rutgerson make a reef cringle with an integral pulley in it to reduce the frictional resistance which is the usual drawback of single-line reefing systems, I suspect the diameter is too small to be effective.

If you are interested, there is a diagram of the system on the Harken website, though at 34m2 my main is close to the safe working limit of the blocks.

If there's any further information you need send me a PM.

 

[William_H]

I reckon that with the reef line running from one side of the boom through the eyelet down the other side that the eyelet itself acts as a reasonable pulley. It also keeps the sail at the middle of the boom /gooseneck ie not pulled to one side. The rope can also make an effective lazy jack to keep the spare sail cloth on the boom. If you need to reduce friction so much why bother with single line reefing when 2 line reefing is easier...... olewill

 

[charles_reed]

What you propose don't work, olewill. Far too much loss due to friction - I've tried.
Though it might work on a fairly small main with a very strong crew.


My other 3 reefs are traditional slab, taking about 5 times as long to put in and involving leaving the cockpit.
Sometimes not a viable proposition when you're single handed and you've just had a squall blow up, with the autopilot unable to cope.

Hope that answers your question.