Reefing Lines to cockpit

[alundavies]

After reading a lot about various reefing systems, I'm going to install a two line reefing system on my boat and wish to bring all the lines back to the cockpit. I need advice on how best to strengthen the deckat the base of the mast where the lines will pass through blocks.
The deck is made of about 40mm plywood.
I have geard that I will need to link the blocks to the hull with steel wire?
I would be grateful for any comments.

 

[FullCircle]

Welcome Alderman.
You dont say what size boat, as this has a large bearing on the apparent loads.
My deck stepped Jeanneau has all the blocks attached to the mast stap casting, which seems to be adequate on 35ft masthead with 3 reefs all single line.
I havent heard of wire strops to the cabin sole, but 40mm plywood sounds strong. Try installing a load spreader plate on the underside of the cabin roof, should be enough.

 

[TigaWave]

With a deck of unknown strength you can use a stainless steel plate under the mast either with fittings welded or bolted to it as close to the mast as possible or some I have seen have a turned up edge with holes to take shackles for blocks. This way the bulk of the load just puts the mast in compression. You need to ensure the mast is held fore and aft securely at the base as some force will be pulling the mast base aft.

Something like this maybe, but talk to a rigger/if theres one handy to consider what is best for your set up.

 

[DJE]

I worried about that for a while then decided to attach them to the bottom of the kicking strap tackle as an experiment before I drilled any holes in the deck. So far it has been like this for 2 years with no problems.

 

[Helina]

If you have rope locks in the boom for the reefinglines , like I do, then all the stress stays in the boom and you don't need extra strengthening for the deck.

 

[mainmarine]

I have two spare StSt plates like the ones shown in your picture [the bottom ones] I always wondered what they were for, they came with a job lot of boating stuff, now I know I can put them up for sale

 

[kds]

"all the stress stays in the boom"

ummm..
1. It can't do if you are pulling the reefs in - only when you release the pull in the cockpit.
2. How do you let them out ?
Ken