Reefing claw

[VicS]

I should also add that I was able to install slab reefing by buying a handful of blocks from ebay and some (very long!) line. No need for super expensive 'off the shelf reefing systems (tm)'.

At the end of the day its just blocks and lines.

I was lucky in that my boom already had some eyelets riveted on at the right points for me to attach blocks but riveting eyes to a boom shouldn't be too difficult.

Chris

You choice to buy a handful of cheap ebay tat and lash something up.

My choice to buy the Barton track and blocks
Easy fit
Job done!

 

[Austerby]

That is without doubt in my mind the best solution. Spot on!

You may well be right - my boat has slab reefing but I've found the boom furling a useful way of stowing the sail away so am interested in finding out how practical using a reefing claw actually is. I know of some who prefer it to slab reefing, so I want to find out for myself.

 

[VicS]

You may well be right - my boat has slab reefing but I've found the boom furling a useful way of stowing the sail away so am interested in finding out how practical using a reefing claw actually is. I know of some who prefer it to slab reefing, so I want to find out for myself.

Some roller reefing does seem to work quite satisfactorily. I sailed a Berwick for many years that had through mast roller reefing. It worked OK but the sail was cut fairly flat. We never bothered with kicker, even when not reefed..

The roller reefing on my own boat was far from satisfactory for the reasons already given . Slab reefing is a great improvement but the roller gear is still there and will work if needed. I did sell the claw ring and the other bits and pieces a that made up the old kicker though.

Through mast reefing coupled with a bolt rope rather that slides, makes for good way of stowing the sail.

 

[Quandary]

The very expensive Selden in-boom motorised reefing you see on some larger X yachts etc. is supposed to massively outperform in mast reefing, allowing a full roach and proper horizontal battens, but I presume you can not adjust the outhaul, or cunningham once a roll goes in, so slab is still going to give you better control of sail shape. The difference there is that only a roller rotates inside the boom so the vang is still fully operational, but it is interesting that it is under development again.
Anyone ever sailed with it, it seems to be the height of luxury if you are 40' plus.

 

[reginaldon]

Mine was a pain! Ok for one or two rolls but after that the boom end drooped to the point that it was whacking me round the ears on every tack.

Tried rolling in sail bag .. it worked once but I forgot it was there and it was last seen drifting out to sea through the harbour entrance.

Slab reefing also allows the new foot to be properly tensioned.

I've rolled in a long wedge shaped piece of foam plastic, the length of the boom into the sail - no sag!

 

[Iliade]

Don't underestimate the load on the kicker claw outhaul wire. Mine pulled the wire out of the copper compression fitting (obviously hadn't been done properly, but...)

(26' Centaur with roach-less mainsail converted from in-mast reefing. Boom roller reefing is tidy for stowing but I will return to slab or in-mast reefing as soon as I can afford it!)

 

[Slycat]

You choice to buy a handful of cheap ebay tat and lash something up.

My choice to buy the Barton track and blocks
Easy fit
Job done!

I'd be sure that an off the shelf solution would be a nice job and is a great way to do it. I just wanted to point out that its possible to implement with standard blocks for a much cheaper solution.

As with everything in sailing doing stuff yourself is usually cheaper than a 'ready made off the shelf' option and the counterpoint is that buying the more expensive off the shelf option is usually faster/easier to fit.

BTW the 'tat' blocks I bought off ebay were Barton blocks so you may have tat fitted after all!