Roller boom reefing - slab reefing

[flipper]

My understanding is that the new boat has roller boom reefing. How does this sound for a conversion to slab:

Take a reefing pennant tied to an appropriate fitting on the stbd end of the boom up through the clew cringle and vertically down to a cheek block fixed on the pt side of boom and then fwd to a cleat on the pt side of boom. repeat for the 2nd reef allowing for the 2nd cheek block to be further fwd. Maybe add a couple of bulls eye fairleads to keep it tidy. I would plan to tap the boom and fix the cheek blocks with machine screws. There are no rams horns so I would plan to lash the tack cringle to the boom using a couple of turns of flat braided line. All lines are at the mast so there is no hardship in doing this.

I have devised this after reading the thread on SB and this is almost identical to the set up on James' Croix des Gardes.

How do you calculate where to have the reefing cringles put in? I guess you need the sail dimensions first.

Can anyone spot a flaw in this plan and are there any better suggestions?

Cheers
Patrick

 

[Fantasie 19]

Just a question - I'd like to do the same on mine - the problem I have is the distance between the mast opening (for the sail sliders) and the boom - I have a stopper just above the opening and I reckon it's about a foot and a half to the boom - ergo I can't put in slab reefing.....

 

[Wunja]

Just a question - I'd like to do the same on mine - the problem I have is the distance between the mast opening (for the sail sliders) and the boom - I have a stopper just above the opening and I reckon it's about a foot and a half to the boom - ergo I can't put in slab reefing.....

If you have roller reefing, don't you need to release the sliders from the mast to wrap the sail around the boom?
Instead of the stopper, would it be possible to close the opening with plates either side, extending the slide lower down? Like this

 

[Flapjack]

Hi Patrick
If you are talking about Kat B she has a semi battened main on a standard boom. No boom reefing, our new boat had roller boom reefing but that was replaced with a fully battened main before we got her.
Andy

 

[flipper]

Hi Patrick
If you are talking about Kat B she has a semi battened main on a standard boom. No boom reefing, our new boat had roller boom reefing but that was replaced with a fully battened main before we got her.
Andy

Thanks Andy

Trust me to go off half cocked. I could have sworn the the end of the boom had the fitting that attaches to the topping lift and mainsheet that allows the boom to swivel.

Cheers, Patrick

 

[CPD]

I rather liked the boom roller reefing on my Centaur. Is there a burning reason to change ?.

 

[Fantasie 19]

If you have roller reefing, don't you need to release the sliders from the mast to wrap the sail around the boom?
Instead of the stopper, would it be possible to close the opening with plates either side, extending the slide lower down? Like this

Wunja - you have it in one - but I was quoted a bit more for a fabricated one in stainless steel (the gates need to be custom made to the opening and I have a very old mast.. ) - I'm toying with the idea of trying to make my own from a bit of aluminium sheet...

The roller furling is great - it works a treat, and dare I say it I quite like it - but the issue is that you have to be at the mast to do it, and it takes time to do it - I sail solo a lot of the time and the idea of being able to take in a slab from the cockpit is very enticing...

PS. My apologies for detracting from the OP's post - not good form...