Rigging 3rd reef on 2 reef boom

[Rich_F]

I've got a boom with two internal reefing lines, and a mainsail with 3 reefing points. A couple of people I've spoken to have "heard of" a mechanism whereby a line is fitted between the 2nd and third reefs to allow the first reefing line to be re-rigged as the third.

Has anybody tried this? Does it work? How is it rigged, in detail?

Thanks in advance,

Rich

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[ex-Gladys]

1. Reef to 2nd reef point.
2. Unreeve first reef lines, and reeve through 3rd reef points.



<hr width=100% size=1>Larry Botheras

Anderson 26 "Amber"

 

[Rich_F]

Thanks, Larry. My question was _how_ to reeve the first reefing line through the third reef, in an easy, controlled way, when that reefing point is way out of reach.

Rich

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[boatless]

Most booms will allow the main outhaul to operate as 3rd reef line, does yours not?

I've always intended to try an endless light line loop between 2nd and 3rd points, with a loop in it to tie the reef line to, but never got around to doing it. Since you're dropping the sail to put the 3rd reef in, might as well drop it a bit further and swap the lines over when you need to, I find..

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[jerryat]

Hi Rich!

The way to rig for using the first reef as the third reef is simple. Run a continuous light line through both the second and third reef leach cringles on your sail. When you have pulled in the second reef, untie the first reefing line, tie it to the continous light line, haul on this to feed the reefing line line up through the third reef cringle and back to the boom where you can secure it. It takes longer to write than to do, and yes, it does work well. The only possible difficulty is if you have one of those modern boats where the boom is way above the cockpit floor and not easily reached.

Hope this helps.

Good sailing!

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[rex_seadog]

Surely using the first reef line on its own for the third reef gives a very horizontal pull. In fact on our boat we go one further and use the outhaul for the third reef but then lash the cringle down to the boom with a sail tie. Not ideal in the conditions that warrant the third reef but if I can't anticipate it before leaving port I tend to drop the sail completely, set up as described and then re-hoist.

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[jerryat]

Hi Rex!

No, the pull isn't horizontal. The free end of the first reefing line must be attached through the 3rd reef cringle and then to the boom at the proper position for the third reef, not to the first reef position. The pull is therefore aft and down, exactly as it is with the other reefs.

Good sailing!

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[William_H]

Hello Richf I know what you mean, when you need that 3rd reef you don't want to be standing up trying to thread a line through the leach cringle maybe a metre above the boom. I reckon if heavy weather was on the cards I would forget reef 2 and thread reef 3 before departure or maybe forget reef one and thread 2 and 3. Some experience with the boat will show you which you need in practice. However the idea of using a mouse line to help pull reef one rope through reef 3 cringle has merit. Once the reef is pulled in the cringle can be pulled down to the boom with several turns of cord but I think I would rather be at home than sailing needing 3 reefs. regards ole will

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[Rich_F]

Jerry,

Thanks for the comments - I'll have to give it a try. Just two questions remain.

- How do you attach the reefing line to the light line, in a way that will pass easily through the reefing point. I thought of making a very small eye in the end of the reefing line, and ataching via a tail on the light line, but any other ideas are welcome!

- Does anyone know where I can get a reefing point for a 14yo Selden boom? It's one of those with slots down the side, into which you slide black plastic reefing points. The individual reefing points look rather like the letter "D" with a crossbar.

Cheers,

Rich

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[Rich_F]

Hi Boatless,

Yes, I guess I could use the outhaul as a third reef - I've seen others do that. However, I'm a bit reluctant because I don't want to lose the ability to control foot tension in bad conditions.

Cheers,

Rich

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[jerryat]

Hi Rich!

1. Your reefing lines should have a small loop sewn into the end. If it hasn't, do it yourself. If fact, all halyards, reefing lines or any other line that has to be pulled through an enclosure should have these IMHO. When you install the light line loop through the cringles, ensure that you leave a short tail. When inserting the third reef, simply tie this(these) tail to the little loop and haul away. Because the loop in the reefing line is over its extreme end, it will pass easily through the third reef leach cringle without jamming.

2. Most, if not all Selden agents will have these in stock or will be able to tell you where to obtain them. If you do have difficulty, you could either fix a similar (perhaps a 'bullseye'?) in the required position as it doesn't need to be moved thereafter, or have slots made in the foot of your sail to allow the reefing line to be passed under the boom, through the sail and tied back to itself. My North main was provided with these for all reefing points from new, in case if emergency.

Hope this helps.

Good sailing!

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[jerryat]

Hi Rich!

Just a short explanation/clarification. The 'loop' to which I referred in my last posting does NOT mean a loop formed of the reefing line itself. I mean a tiny loop formed by thickish sewing twine (I use waxed thread) which is passed through the end of the line, say 6-10mm from the end, over the end of the line leaving a gap (loop) of perhaps 12mm, back through and so on. I tend to 'plait' these threads together where the loop is formed to keep it tidy and give a little more strength.

The light line through the cringles is tied to this.

Just thought I'd clarify just in case you were wondering how the hell a proper loop in the reefing line would get through the cringle!!

Good sailing!

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[Rich_F]

Thanks for the clarification - I had thought that you meant to form a very small eye in the end of the line.

Actually, my main halyard has got such an eye in it (and can be threaded through a rope clutch), so I might try to duplicate this, as a bit of a personal challenge!

Failing that, though, the loop of twine sounds foolproof enough, even for me.

Rich

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[boatless]

Rich, Hi

Not sure why you'd need to keep foot tension on once you have the first reef in, unless it's a loose footed sail?

John

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[Rich_F]

Hi John,

On my boom, the outhaul is underneath the sail groove, so it can't be easily re-used as a reef. What I thought you meant was the idea of lashing the clew into place, then rerigging the outhaul as a permanent third reef.

In any case, once you're resigned to re-rigging reefing lines, there's no great advantage to using the outhaul rather than the first reef.

Cheers!

Rich

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[boatless]

Rich

Thought there must have some reason, or you'd have been doing it already.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[Robin]

Another option that maybe someone already suggested is to add an external 3rd reef on the boom, using an eyeplate or an eye in the side boom track, and a cheek block (they make ones for boom reefing use). Depending on layout you may be able to link this to a mast or boom mounted reefing winch if you have one, perhaps via a compact clutch? On our old W33 all 3 reefs were external to the boom (it originally had through mast boom rolling reefing not slab) and these went through a bank of 3 clutches on the boom to the jib halyard winch on the mast (the jib was on a roller and the halyard was locked off on a clutch to free the winch for spinnaker halyard or reefing lines as required).

If you don't want the 3rd line permanently rigged then tie it off at the boom end with an endless line loop from reef # 2 to reef #3 as suggested elsewhere and pull it through when needed. Personally we have all 3 in place all the time, just in case, that way I don't need to perform acrobatics in high seas!

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Robin on 06/05/2004 12:48 (server time).</FONT></P>