Rolling Boom reefing

[Petercatterall]

Following my query in December and the most welcome advice received I had decided to scrap the old system and change to slab reefing. Finances and sheer cussedness conspire to persude me to have another go!
I have considered that my early problem (getting acceptable vang tension) will be improved by replacing the line from the claw to the end of the boom with wire. I believe that this will help prevent the claw being pulled at an angle when vang tension is applied.
I will also try the suggestion of putting towels etc in the sail as it is rolled in to see if a better sail shape can be maintained!.
I seem to have lost one of the plastic rollers from the claw, dont s'pose anyone has an idea where I can buy one??

 

[dickh]

I found roller reefing worked OK on my Vivacity 20 before I converted it to slab reefing. I also used a claw with a rope to the boom end. The best way to reef was to heave to, tighten up the topping lift; mainsheet and kicking strap totally slack, rotate the booom, slackening the halliard as you go and then set the kicking strap and then release the topping lift. Alternatively try it under jib alone, tiller lashed(starboard of course so you have right of way...) and then as above. Either way worked for me singlehanded.
Regarding the lost roller, dought if you will get a replacement, best to get a local company or friend to turn one up on a lathe using nylon.
dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by dickh on 06/02/2003 14:00 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Guest]

Slight amendment to the sail

One of the biggest problems is to get the leech shorter .... not tighter !! The Luff rollls away and the boom then tends to droop at the aft end, the sail shape is wrong etc.

OK a simple and part remedy is to fit hard eyes at intervals up the leech of the sail ..... Then have a short length of rope ready to pass through after reefing and tighten that leech back and down. If you pull hard enough aft - you will flatten that mid section next to the boom - improving the shape tremendously. Its cheap, DIY and works. (camping shops and chandlers sell the packs of eyelets etc. and the set and die)

Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !