roller reefing/lazyjacks Sigma 38

[valkyrie]

Comments/views would be most appreciated on the wisdom or otherwise of setting up a Sigma 38 rig for short handing cruising. Experience gained of any particular system used would be helpful
Thankyou

 

[TigaWave]

I had a Bavaria 390, big 7/8ths rig, the single line reefing on the main was excellent, very easy and quick to reef with a zip up bag and lazy jacks.
I also had a spinnaker snuffer which meant I could use the kite as well.
Similar size of rig to a sigma I would think and quite easy to handle as long as all the ropes were led at good angles and all the blocks were well serviced. It really makes a huge difference having every block running smoothly and changing old stiff ropes or washing them.
I changed the pole to a mast track that could be adjusted easily and safely with two jammers so it was always attached to the mast.
Neil

 

[snowleopard]

nothing simplifies shorthanded sail handling as much as being able to let go the halliard and dump the main into a stackpack, it also means no more reef ties. in-mast reefing is a good alternative unless it jams.

 

[Redmond]

Have put a fully battened main and lazyjacks on our Oyster 41 (racing boat of the same era). This has revolutionised our 2 handed sailing as the main still goes up with my wife tailing and only the last 6" need the winch to tension. It comes down in arround 2 seconds if the boat is head to wind and the halyard checked for kinks. The lazy jacks hold it until we get into harbour without attention.
Red

 

[Abigail]

Really agree with Redmond that a stackapack thingy & lazyjacks make a huge difference to safety and enjoyment, whether reefing or stowing completely. As a two handed boat we find it makes amassive difference and would not even try to sail our 40' maxi without.

Personally I don't like in mast main-sail furling - it puts a lot of weight aloft (hence damaging your stabiliy) and there is always the risk of jamming. We have single line reefing led back to the cockpit and can put it in a reef in our fully battened main in about two minutes.

HTH

 

[pragmatist]

Agree 200% with the stack pack - have had lazy jacks for a decade or 2 but stack pack even better. In-mast furling - wouldn't touch it with a barge pole - admittedly ours was behind-mast retro-fitted but I think it's great for day sailors (plenty of neighbours have them as a labour-saving device) but potentially dangerous if it sticks and doesn't give the correct reefing configuration as slab does.

Led back ? Well that's under discussion (me no, HWMBO yes) - if you can get the right leads then its probably great but otherwise I like simple and relatively trad - backed up with self-tailers.