Slab & single line.

[chappy]

I have just read a thread about single line reefing, can somebody explain to me the differance between slab reefing which i have & the single line reefing which i do not know nothing about /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[TigaWave]

Its both! single line operation is applied to slab reefing, by pulling in one rope you pull down the front of the main to the boom and also through the use of a pulley inside the boom, pull the clew (new clew for each slab) out to the the end of the boom or where the tail is attached in from the end.
It works brilliantly, very quick and safe but has all the benefits of a slab main with good flat shape, we could only use the single line on the first two reefs as the third would have required too much rope or extra pulleys in the boom for the clew rope. Its my preffered reefing system now after being used in several rough passages when short handed.
You need a diagram really or find a boat that has it and have a closer look.
Neil

 

[geoffatstanpit]

Yes but it is more complicated and relies on little trolleys inside the boom doing what the designer intended. I used to be involved with a club boat which was often used by people that didn't understand exactly what was supposed to be going on inside the boom and the result was internal jamups and a boom full of bent trolleys, little wheels and jammed rope.

So if you have one of these systems 1. understand what's going on, and 2. don't let anything go slack - keep tension on all lines at all times so the ropes don't fall off the pulleys.

Geoff

 

[davidwf]

But in its simplest form single line reefing does not need blocks inside the boom. It works by the reefing line running up to Tack round a block on the mainsail down to the boom via a block at the end of the boom, out again at clew end of boom up to a block attched to mainsail and down to the boom again.

There is more friction than the expensive back to back block system inside the boom but its foolproof and I've used it on many boats without any difficulty.

 

[gandy]

There are some pictures of a dinghy system here :

http://www.wanderer.org.uk/technical/alt%20reefing/reefing_afloat.htm
http://www.wanderer.org.uk/technical/alt%20reefing/alt_reef_system.gif

Tony S

 

[fireball]

Here's a couple of diagrams for Single Line Reefing

and

 

[William_H]

I have used 2 line reefing for a long time and reckon that I can get better sail control that way. It is essential that you stretch the foot of the sail to get sail flatness. This is best provided by a dedicated point on the aft end of the boom so that the rope up to the clew eyelet and back to the boom both pull back and down at 45 degrees ie to the centre of the sail.
In the same way I insist the tack should be pulled forward against the reef at the clew (outhaul equivalent) as well as down against the halyard. This can best be acheived by having the up and return lines to the tack eyelet pulling at 45 dgrees to the mast and boom. In my case from points either side of the mast and about midway front to back of the mast and slightly lower than the boom. With 2 lines I reckon I can get the foot of the sail to the flatness I want. So no I won't be changing to single line reefing I can spare a halyard winch for each line. regards will PS didbn't need a reef in the race yeaterday in 38 degrees with warm gusty wind. a bit to hot. big drink day.

 

[MIKE_MCKIE]

The Harken website has a good description & diagram of single line reefing. It can be bought as a complete kit or just get the individual components yourself, which I propose to do this winter. The change from standard slab to single line is very simple provided you go for the external solution.
Cheers
Mike

 

[chappy]

Thanks for all your help on the single line reefing, i understand it now /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif