Rigging a Third Reef

[tome]

Re: Frigging a Third Reef

I can easily do it on my own - I have 2 main halyard clutches, one in cockpit and one on mast (left open normally). I don't leave my topping lift too loose so can drop the main without the boom dipping too far:

- Ease the mainsheet and drop the halyard to the coloured mark from the cockpit clutch
- up to mast take up on topping lift and pull specs over horn, take in reefing line and release topping lift
- Back to cockpit sweat up halyard and sheet in

I don't normally lose the horn during this, but can sweat up the halyard on the mast clutch if necessary. Seems to work ok and I use the autopilot to maintain heading. I'm going to bring the kicker and topping lift back to the cockpit to make it easier.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Sybarite]

Re: Frigging a Third Reef

My in-boom sheaves only cater for two lines.

John

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[StugeronSteve]

Hi Jimi.

Did you had a third set of reefing points put into the original Bene sail and if so did you get a turning block sewn in as with reef 1&2?

Steve

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jimi]

Yes I got the sailmaker to add a third reef when I got the sail repaired when the luff ripped. Turning block sewn into the reef ... not sure what you mean?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[StugeronSteve]

The original bene sail supplied with my boat a a turning block sewn to th luff of the sail through which the reefing line is reeved before running through the boom.
Steve

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jimi]

Nope never had one! Sounds a good idea though as there is a lot of friction in the system. Its usually OK when reefing but a bit of a hassle shaking it out again.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[aod]

Rig up one and two. Put a mousing line btw two and three. Wind increases reef one. Wind increases more reef two then untie reef one and using the mouse feed it through reef three.

Wind decreses reverse the above.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[MainlySteam]

Much the same, ours has a mousing line permanently built into the sail.

However, I noticed in Toms photos a week or so ago that he had the third reef line permanently rigged and Jimi now says he does the same. Fortunately to do the same I jusy have to buy the line and pull it through the boom (rigger left a mousing line for that too!) and think I will follow their excellent example.

On the subject of the reefing horn at the tack, I know the spectacles with rings are common, but when I asked the sailmaker to do the same for me he said "No! I do it better". All he did was use the tape, passed it through the cringle and sewed the ends together so it is just a tape ring going through the cringle and hanging down in front of the luff - so won't work if you have a bolt rope in a mast groove. Gives a big loop to hitch over the horn and seems much less inclined to drop off while setting the reef up. Maybe common too, just hadn't come across it before.

John

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tome]

There are a few variations of the spectacle which I've seen, including one with a snap-shackle and the horns replaced by rings onto which you hook the shackle. My specs work well so I wouldn't bother to change them.

I rarely need to reef the third, but believe me when I do the last place I want to be is at the end of the boom fiddling with mouse and reefing lines. Last time I put in the third was on a crossing from Lezardrieux to Dartmouth on a SW'ly reach in July. We were abeam Channel Light vessel which was reporting 30 knots and the wind was rising. There was a big sea running in the channel and I needed to slow her down a tad. She wasn't particularly over-pressed at the time, but we were beginning to ship seas. The third reef eased everything and she was instantly more comfortable, still doing 7 knots. The thought of working lines at the boom end in those conditions makes me shudder!



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jimi]

A thought I've got in my mind is whether in these conditions I should be rigging the Trisail. What I've tended to do so far is drop the main and sail under head sail alone. When I do so I never seem to lose much speed.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Rich_F]

Good plan regarding the mousing line. I'll probably do that as a short term solution, until I decide to go the whole hog and fit an extra sheave to the boom.

Thanks,

Rich

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tome]

I carry a trisail but have yet to set it in anger. The third reef is deep - there's some photos in <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=ym&Number=392518&page=2&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=21&part=all&vc=1>http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=ym&Number=392518&page=2&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=21&part=all&vc=1</A>.

I also sail on jib alone on some occasions like you describe and am surprised at how well balanced the helm feels.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[MainlySteam]

Tom - yes I have no problem with the spectacle either, I just left it to the sailmaker and passed the idea on as haven't seen it before.

The reasons you outline were the very ones why I took a close interest in your photos showing the third reefing line and I will follow suit and rig one. Like Jimi says, we too normally find that by the time we need a second reef (about thirty knots sustained closehauled) when reaching or further off we reach hull speed easily with the furling genoa alone and that is happy up to around 40 - 45 knots sustained, depending on the sea state, before dropping down to a small inner foresail (and thinking of giving up!).

So you see, while we were picky about your photos, we were gutting them to see what we too could learn!

John

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Twister_Ken]

Eyeing up a mouse

For the mousing idea to work reliably and quickly you need to whip an eye onto the end of the reefing pennant, to allow the mouse to be tied into it. If you attempt to hitch the mouse around the reefing line, there a good chance it will jam at the cringle when you try to pull it through.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Twister_Ken]

Going to windward

The possible problem with dropping the main entirely is that - theoretically at least - it handicaps your ability to sail to windward, especially so as by the time most genoas are well rolled, what's left is not especially flat or aerodynamic. Doesn't matter a whit off the wind, of course, but if you are fighting for every inch to windward, not having a main up might nadger your efforts.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[AndrewB]

I simply abandoned the adjustable outhaul, and lash it off when the sail is hoisted. It's an irrelevance for cruising, or even for club racing.

That leaves space for the third reef to be permanently rigged. Don't often use it - but when it's needed, I definitely DON'T want to be messing around rigging it.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tome]

Hi John

I was probably being as picky (more so?) than anyone else about the photos, now have some framed enlargements in my office, but not as big as the one of SWMBO!

Though I find the helm reasonably balanced with jib alone in the conditions you describe, having a small amount of main makes her very responsive and I can thread my way round the bigger seas with great confidence. It's only when the seas get big enough to attack the boom that I'd go for jib alone, and wish it were cut higher in those conditions.

I also have a storm jib, but changing down to this (it's fitted in the furling groove) would be very difficult short handed. I've only used this once when I knew conditions would be tough. On the occasion I described, winds were forecast F4-5.

Regards
Tom

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tome]

Re: Going to windward

Ken - Totally agree that the main is a must for a windward bash.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Aeolus_IV]

While sailing on a friends boat we were obliged to pull in the third reef. We untied the first reef and used this. What caught us out was that the "specticles" for the third reef were not long enough! With all the mainsail sliders stacked up above the goose neck it was simply too far to reach. Had to lash it 'horn with a short strop. Wonder how many other people would fall foul of this?

Jeff.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jimi]

Re: Going to windward

If having to claw to windward in heavy wind and heavy seas (Ugh) do you reckon a triple reefed main or a tri would be better?

<hr width=100% size=1>