Zen Zero
Well-Known Member
Why would you have the vang on if you're going to windward and you've got the boom sheeted in tight?
Reefing
- Thread starter BurnitBlue
- Start date
Why would you have the vang on if you're going to windward and you've got the boom sheeted in tight?
geoid96
Well-Known Member
So when you ease the sheet, the boom goes out, not up.
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
What would be the point of cranking it up for reaching then slackening it for a beat only to have to crank it up again when you bear away?
Poignard
Well-Known Member
People used to reef without difficulty before the days of engines and tillerpilots; in fact many still do without feeling the need for these aids.
What has changed? The yachts or the people?
What has changed? The yachts or the people?
jimi
Well-Known Member
I think some people think that in order to reef the boat's head has got to be aligned to wind, rather than the boom alligned with wind?
lw395
Well-Known Member
Possibly.
You need to keep the sail away from the spreaders etc.
There will be less friction on the sliders or luff rope reasonably close to head to wind, but 45 degrees out not be a problem.
One some boats, sailing a little free with the genoa well sheeted backwinds the main, handily freeing up the luff.
jimi
Well-Known Member
yeah and you obviously need to be sailing upwind rather than down ;-)
lw395
Well-Known Member
Nah, you can whack a reef in mid gybe if you're any good! ;-)
(you can certainly shake them out this way!)
Zen Zero
Well-Known Member
It's the "without difficulty" bit that I'd question.
To be honest I've always been a bit daunted by reefing, though I am getting better at it. I confess to being one of those sailors who will leave port with 2 reefs in because strong wind has been forecast. But maybe I just need to get out there more often with nothing else to do but reef and unreef until we get it right and can do it in our sleep.
RupertW
Well-Known Member
+1
At a push I can reef 40 foot plus sized boat in unpleasant conditions singlehanded without autopilot or engine, but it takes a lot longer without a helping hand or Autohelm.
A1Sailor
...
Golly, that's quick.
Reefing takes me ages:
1. Find length of line to lash down the reef cringle
2. Find the handle for the halyard winch (last used for killing mackerel or cracking nuts).
3. Find safety harness and safety line
4. Make my way up to the mast
5. Come back again to collect the length of line and the winch handle
6. Return to mast
7. Let halyard go.
8. Return to cockpit to administer first aid to swmbo who is bleeding after having boom dropped on her head because I forget to set up topping lift
9. Exchange a few pointed words with aforementioned angry lady
10. Return to mast
Yes reefing is a slow business.
What a faff!
I have luff and clew lines for each set of reefing points (lots of string), all led back to the cockpit. The luff lines go up from the gooseneck, through the cringle then down to a block on the deck, then aft via a deck organiser. I'm not sure what advantage "spectacles" would be.
Halyard and topping lift come back to the cockpit also - even more string. No need to go to/from the mast, so I generally don't crack my nuts
It takes me longer than 20 seconds, though.
prv
Well-Known Member
Ain't got no spreaders.
Ain't got no sliders.
Ain't got no luff rope.
Do get some friction against the shrouds if I try to reef dead downwind, so I usually avoid that. Any other point of sail, just do it.
The boat is small, and relatively tender, so I get a lot of practice. It's rare that I go out and don't have to reef at some point.
Pete
chrisedwards
Well-Known Member
Couple of minutes? My first reef comes down in 20 seconds
(Second one takes a little longer as I have to ease the peak halyard as well as the throat.)
Pete
20 seconds? Far too long - all my reefs come down in less than one second. Try modern junk sail - wins the club races and so beautiful to behold.
lw395
Well-Known Member
Depends on the deck hardware.
My Lightwave, as bought, was pretty much impossible to even hoist the main singlehanded. The hardware was designed to be efficient for a crew of ten, and it was.
A few changes made a big difference.
Most yachts would benefit from modifying their systems to suit the crews who sail them.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Golly, that's quick.
Reefing takes me ages:
1. Find length of line to lash down the reef cringle
2. Find the handle for the halyard winch (last used for killing mackerel or cracking nuts).
3. Find safety harness and safety line
4. Make my way up to the mast
5. Come back again to collect the length of line and the winch handle
6. Return to mast
7. Let halyard go.
8. Return to cockpit to administer first aid to swmbo who is bleeding after having boom dropped on her head because I forget to set up topping lift
9. Exchange a few pointed words with aforementioned angry lady
10. Return to mast
Yes reefing is a slow business.
That explains why some of us old fogies prefer in mast reefing - years of experiencing just what you describe, and then discover it is all unnecessary!
grumpy_o_g
Well-Known Member
Shouldn't "I've got life" be in there somewhere?
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
I am surprised that those that need to go to the mast to reef need to take a winch handle with them!
My boat has a pocket on the mast with a winch handle in it
My boat has a pocket on the mast with a winch handle in it
Poignard
Well-Known Member
I am surprised that those that need to go to the mast to reef need to take a winch handle with them!
My boat has a pocket on the mast with a winch handle in it
Well that's no use, is it?
What happens when you need the winch handle to kill a fish? You have to take a walk up to the mast to get it; meanwhile your freshly caught mackerel is leaping about all over the cockpit.
Really - some of you people just don't think things through.
Last edited by a moderator:
A1Sailor
...
You also need a winch handle in a dinghy - in case you catch a crab
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Learn to use your thumb to dispatch them. Quicker and less messy. Thumb in the (fish's) mouth, forefinger behind the head, quick jerk and job done.