Roller reefing main boom.

graham

graham

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Sorry for multiple posting but thought more would see this on here than on Bristol Channel forum.

After having really good slab reefing our latest boat has roller boom reefing again. The main set OK with a small reef in but was pretty hopeless when deep reefed.

Did some experimenting this morning in fresh and squally conditions on Cardiff Bay.

I used a 6 foot piece of 22 mm foam pipe lagging (about 3 inch outside diameter and a 4 foot piece of 15 mm foam pipe lagging about 2 inch outside diameter. Rolled up into the after part of the sail as it rolled onto the boom transformed the set of the sail,curing the boom droop and improving the set of the sail 100%.

I know this isnt a new idea but thought it may help someone who hasnt seen it before and has an old boom roller system.

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Cant complain about the way that is setting. All you have to do now is figure out how to fit a kicking strap. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I used to have a roller claw on another boat for the kicker. To be honest I dont think you really need one on a pure cruising boat. may have a play if one turns up at a boat jumble or something but not overly concerned. Main thing is that the boat will now go to windward in a breeze strong enough to blow your cap off /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
We still have roller boom reefing and added reef-points to the mainsail. So while I helm, he rolls the boom until most fwd reef-point is at boom. He makes off and moves back making of each point. This has effect of lifting the boom and straightening the sail, any slack is contained within the reefing-point lines.
We copied this idea from a forum person that used to post on here. Simple and effective. Once made of, a short line to pull leech back made of to the boom end.
 
My 1965 Folkboat has rollerboom reefing but I think at some point it has been modified to take a kicking strap. A large ring is welded to the underside of the boom so using the roller is out ......less I cut it off.
 
I asked about the problems of kicking straps and roller reefing booms in these forums last year. Someone suggested rolling a triangle of sail cloth into the sail as you roll it up, and have an eye in the corner left dangling, and then use that... I've not quite done that, instead I've got about 12 feet of seatbelt style webbing with a shackle halfway along it. I roll that in doubled up with the shackle at the fold. Seems to work ok so far.

Supposedly the claws can rip your sails up.
 
Thats a nice Soling main sail. Just don't try to pull the omega symbol off it will leave a terrible mess very difficult to clean the glue off.

Good luck but I reckon it won't be long before you go to slab reefing. olewill
 
I used to do the same on a Wayfarer and it worked well. We also used to take about 18" of the roach of the sail into the first roll and as long as there were 3 rolls or more, it stayed there and kept the boom up enough, but I am not sure that it would work as well on a displacement boat where the loads are greater.

P.S. Graham - That sail looks a lot better on your boat than it did on our Soling! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Cheers Don. Were chuffed with it especially now we have a method of putting a deep reef in.

The wind was shrieking across Cardiff Bay just after the pictures were taken horizontal rain and white caps.The boat kept sailing no problem with the big reef in ,bits of the sacrificial strip on the jib blew off but Josh is sorting that for me.so Ill have some confidence in the sails now.
 
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