reefing

[Guest]

When you read to put in a reef how many rolls
would that be for the first reef on a 2 1/2 inch x 1 1/2 on a roller reefing Boom?
thanks sunny2

 

[[448]]

If you've decided that it's time to reef, don't skimp on it. What I do is to roll the mainsail up to the first batten. This should get rid of about 20-25%, and give you time to think about how you are going to remove this batten ready for the next reef. I wouldn't worry about the shape that the sail takes up after this, the main thing being to dump some canvas.
Cheers.

 

[Guest]

Re: reefing - widening subject

Can I widen this, I have recently bought a boat with roller reefing which I have never used before, always had slabs. Any general advice would be welcome as well as how much to reef. My first though was to change it for slab but I maby I should give it a chance first.

Roly, Voya Con Dios, Glasson, Lancaster

 

[Guest]

Re: reefing - widening subject

If it is any help, I have both and the roller reefing is never used. I obtain a much better setting sail with slab reefing. Most small boats manufactured in the 1970s came with roller reefing. For single handed sailing I found it difficult to keep tension as I rolled. Some boats had tapered wooden slats secured along the boom to flatten the sail. My attempts ended with what looked like Nora Batty's tights. Far too full for a reefed sail.