Reefing line c**k up

[JeremyF]

Well, I've made a classic cock up. Took the mainsail down for valeting, and then started to pull through the reefing lines to tidy them up. Only problem was that the boom end of the line was no longer secured to the end of the boom, and so it disappeared up the boom!

Anyway, I succeeded to get the leech line back to the end of the boom. But now, I find that the luff line no longer seems to be attached to the line going to the leech, i.e. the leech line is tight, but I can pull on the loose luff line.

Its a single line reefing system on Selden spars, as fitted on Bavarias.

Any idea how to sort it out?

 

[VicS]

No idea at all but you now have to put color:red in the first square brackets and /color in the second to get your red signature back again.

That's odd when i went back to it it was red anyway!

To be more helpful: there is a Selden web site with detailed instuctions for all their products. i'm sorry I don't know the URL off hand but I imagine Google will find it.

 

[Vara]

http://seldenmast.com/

Click on manuals and have a delve about,files are PDF and some of them quite large!

 

[sailorman]

take one end fitting or both ( drill-out pop-rivets ) sort out string, there will be a double ended block inside. re-fasten boom ends.

 

[JeremyF]

Thanks for the URL. Have found the diagrammes - looks like a nightmare. But, if I can get the internal block thing to the aft of the boom, I should be able to unscrew the outboard end fitting with a 'Torx' screwdriver - is this a form of Allen Key?

Big mistake!!

 

[sailorman]

star shaped thingy similar to a phillips or pozi

 

[BlueChip]

Lots of socket sets have torx drivers. You will need to be careful to get the correct size so you don't damage the head of the screw and you will probably need a 12" ratchet to undo the screws it, as it's sealed with locktite
If you are in Halsar I can lend you one

You will almost certainly need some thin cord to attach to the fwd reefing lines, as when you pull the internal double block aft the fwd lines will not be long enough and they will dissapear in the boom if you are not careful.

It's also useful to have a long rod to pull and push the slider

The internal double block runs on wheels in a track, the wheels are loose fitting so make sure that when you get the blocks out the end of the boom you dont lose them. They often break and many people replace them with a short length of narrow diameter plastic central heating pipe high pressure pipe which acts as a slider