single line reefing question

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yerffoeg

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I am considering fitting single-line reefing, maybe using the kit that Barton have recently bought out, or the Harken kit, so I can reef from the cockpit.
However, I am not entirely clear how it works! Does single line reefing allow one to put only one reef in: once the leech and luff cringles are pulled down to the boom then that's that? Presumably a separate and similar set up is needed in order to put another reef in.

Your advice please.
 
Remember you will end up with loads of string in the cokpit espcially for the 2nd & 3rd reefs - tried it on mine and soon returned to 2 line reefing
 
Not if you do it the best way: with a balance block inside the boom. In most cases it is possible to have two reefs pulled down this way, when the amount pulled down will be less than the height of the cringle plus two boom lengths. A third reef will inevitably need a single line that goes the whole way through both luff and leech cringles and this will certainly take a lot of rope.
 
I know some Moody owners have a system of reefing solely from the cockpit that involves two lines for each reef - one pulling the cringle down and one through-boom reefing line for the clew. The line up to the cringle runs through a bulls-eye on the mast to keep it all neat. It is apparently very quick and efficient and overcomes the friction and effort required for a single line doing both jobs. Three reefs would be a bit of a cats cradle but you could re-reeve for 1 and 3 or 2 and 3 before setting off if appropriate.

I'm thinking of re-arranging the means of keeping the outhaul tensioned so that I can use the outhaul for the third reefing line. Once reefed the outhaul is redundant anyway. This will overcome the effort of having to re-reeve for a third reef which I had to do in 24 knots and biggish sea half way across Lyme Bay in May.
 
I've seen something somewhere about splicing them, although of course I can't track it down when I want it!
The crucial thing would be that both lines would need to move the same distance if you are just pulling a common line back through the clutch. Some careful measuring (or just playing around with a rolling hitch) might prove the point. Be neat if you could. I'll check it out when I've done all my winter jobs...
 
If you put a pulley block at the end of the single line it would automatically equalise the lines.
Not tried it just a thought.
As a matter of personal preference I don't like the idea of single line reef blocks inside a boom,they can and will go wrong and are a swine to fix.
 
I have now had my self-built system with internal balance blocks for more than 15 years. The first set were home built, two blocks shackled together and wound with line. The second set were Kemp purpose built units. Despite extensive sailing over that period, far greater than the average, they have never once tangled, blocked, snagged, caught or in any other way malfunctioned during the period.

Just in case they ever did go wrong, which seems most unlikely, I have replaced the rivets that hold the boom end cap to the boom with screwed inserts that can be released in about a minute. I don't anticipate ever using them though.
 
October 2004 PBO.

Double Divided line system

Four lines (6mm) for two two line reefs, spliced into one (12mm) using one rope clutch. (26 foot boat)

The trick is to have the four 6mm lines emerge from the clutch as the first reef is home; the leech/luff of the first reef can then be individually adjusted.

The two lines for the second reef can subsequently be pulled home, and again, adjusted.

Advantages?
With the first reef pulled in the slack is taken out of the second reef lines.
There is very little rope in the cockpit.

Mainly, however, single line reefing frequently does not tension the leech due to friction.

Essential to have the four reefing lines different colours.
 
Just to correct one little point. I think the bulls eye you speak of on the mast is not to tidy up the ropes but rather to induce the pull of the tack rope forward to tension the foot of the sail against the outhaul pull of the clew rope. It is important. olewill
 
Normally the amount of travel required to pull the third reef down to the boom exceeds the length of the boom and thus can't be easily rigged in a single line system.

I've always found it best to have a downhaul permanently fitted to the luff cringle in the third reef point unless you have a lot of faith in the sail coming down on it's own. It's tough in a strong blow when the sail is stuck up the mast and you can't reach the cringle to put a third reef in.
 
Agree about durability. I had balance blocks in the boom on a single line system for years with never a moment's trouble. My only crticism is that they tend to bang about a bit in lumpy water.
 
Ours is single-line with in-boom cars to divide the line. An excellent system, but -

It jammed on our last trip of the season. Couldn't haul up the main fully, nor put a reef in. Looks like the boom will need dismantling.

Grrr
 
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