Single Line Reefing

[stretch33]

Greetings All I intend to fit this over the winter, l've seen advertised 'external/internal systems. Anyone got any comments on either one. I am leaning toward external as l can get at the bits easily. Also ideally l'd like to leave the first reef at the mast with reefs two and three brought back to the cockpit. Is this feasable?
At present all lines go to mast (FB main) and when deep reefed l have so much sail bunched up its bloody hard to get sail hooked on - normally open the gate and let lower batten drop out - am l the only one that has this prob?
Cheers Phil

 

[vyv_cox]

The type of single-line reefing you fit is largely determined by your boom section. On older, round booms you may not have space to fit internal balance blocks. With later, more square, sections there is no problem. My Kemp boom takes two balance blocks easily and is fitted with three sheaves aft, for the outhaul, 1st and 2nd reefs. I cut two slots forward to take the tack lines, bought a few turning blocksa nd the balance blocks, plus the rope, of course, and that system has worked perfectly for years.

I don't have an installed system for the 3rd reef but I have left the ramshorns in place and carry a small 3:1 tackle fitted with snaplinks that will attach to the clew.

I suggest that you don't fit the Kemp system, it is over complicated because somebody else patented the obvious system. I can provide this layout if you want to PM me.

There is an article about reefing systems in the 12-part YM series on sail handling. Don't know which part it was but no doubt YM do, then you can order the back copy.

 

[vyv_cox]

Third reef

I recalled why I only have 1st and 2nd reefs on a single line system. The total length of clew line that can be accommodated by a single line reefing system is less than the length of the boom. Most third reefs would be more than the length of the boom from the clew, so a single line system cannot do it. You could put separate external tack and clew lines from the third reef but this begins to be untidy.

 

[Chris_Stannard]

If you have a Selden boom, the internal workings are on sliders to prevent twisting, but this system does not apply to the smallest booms. To fit is does mean taking the end caps off the boom and pop rivetting them back afterwards. I have the details if you are interested.

I am inteding to fit the system this winter. I do not thingk there is enough room to make your system the second and reefs, so my intention was to take a view before I sail, and either rely on two reefs and go to the mast for the third if necessary or, if the weather looks fairly bad tie the first reef in before I sail and rig the lines on the second and third reefs.

Chris Stannard

 

[Miker]

Do the balance blocks get tangled?

Got details from Vyv - many thanks. My boom is a square Zspar. Vyv says that his balance blocks inside the boom never tangled. Is that the experience of others? Also do they rattle around when not under tension?

 

[wildthyme]

We had a 9-metre yacht with Kemp single-line reefing for 4 years and loved it. Chris Stannard's comment on the 3rd reef echoes our experience. If you can't get the 3rd reef cringle over the horns, fit a length of webbing through the cringle, with a SS ring on each end.

P J Bartlett