roller reefer

[huywer]

is there still a firm who makes bronze roller reefer for the main.Or do these come up for sale frequently ??
Will need this for a restoration;seems a ratchet type was fitted in 1914. (bermuda sail)
What would be good reading on the subject or source of information to get things set up right
regards werner

 

[Mirelle]

I think you will have to scrounge about in boat jumbles.

However I reckon I may still be able to lay my hands on the Turner pattern (ratchet) gear that I took off Mirelle's boom when I replaced it with an Appledore pattern (worm drive) gear a few years back.

Recommended reading:

A Manual for Small Yachts - Graham and Tew (fairly common)

Yacht Cruising - Claud Worth (may be expensive)

Seamanship for Yachtsmen - FB Cooke (also sought after)

Having said which - ask away right here.


How long is the boom, and will you need a claw ring? Avoid one if at all possible.

For bermudian rig, it is best if the boom tapers so that the outboard end is larger than the inboard end. This can most easily be done by gluing a couple
of tapered battens onto the boom.

 

[jon]

I have available the bronze worm drive reefing gear suitable for 4-5 inch boom. PM me if interested and I will send a photo.

 

[huywer]

thanks for the quick replies,
boom should be a around 7m long mast is 4 inch7/16 dia cfr plan;haven't made the boom yet.
equiped with double claw
saw some old photo's of roll reefed bermuda sail yachts (pre ww1), all sails were standing perfect without a wrinkle ! !?
Mirelle , instead of the tapered boom (no evidence of that on the pictures I have )were there some other systems to have the reefed sail rolled up nicely ;on another old picture of an unreefed sail there seems to be a piece of sail cloth near the end of the boom could this be something to make a larger diam.?