technique for reefing in mast furling main

[[2574]]

I'd appreciate knowing what techniques you use when reefing (furling) an in-mast mainsail. Do you always luff up before furling in? What about when downwind sailing? Do you always furl using the furling drum line or do you stick a winch handle in the drum itself?

My experience is that I find reefing (taking a couple of rolls in) when beating can be a challenge. I find it necessary to take the pressure out of the sail so luff up, but then the danger is of an accidental tack which can be a real pain. When sailing downwind it's a bigger problem. Likelihood is that the wind is building so if it is necessary to luff up the apparent wind will go nuts and we'll have to turn through beam on to the sea whilst we're trying to furl.

Anyone got any top tips?

 

[Nick_Pam]

On the wind.....stay on course....slacken mainsheet and kicker.....winch in using furling line but keep tension on outhaul (best done with two people) as you do so.

Off the wind....same theory but don't luff up as you will find that the apparent wind has gone bezerk. Just make sure the boom/rig is not right out against the shroud/lower.

 

[Kundi]

I normally singlehand and just ease the outhaul lock it off and winch in the furling line seems to work ok and have used this method in 30kts + with no problems.

 

[Richard10002]

KMT = Kicker, mainsheet, Topping Lift.

Slacken Kicker and mainsheet, take strain on topping lift - I have a red line on the boom strut which tells me how far to pull the topping lift. A bit of trial and error finds the best place.

Other than downwind, or a broad reach perhaps, the sail will find the wind and should wind/pull in easily, easing the outhall, either gradually if you have crew, or in chunks if single handed.

Downwind, or broad reaching, I harden up enough to keep the sail well off the spreaders, and do the above.

I manage to control the 2 reefing lines, (in and out), and the outhaul, if single handed. Not always the prettiest furl, but seems to work.

Once the sail is reefed, or wound in completely....

TMK = Topping Lift, mainsheet, Kicker

Release the topping lift, (not if the sail nis furled completely), tighten the mainsheet, tighten the kicker.

Job's a good 'un - usually.

never heard of KMT until I did YM prep... now it is more or less second nature.

Hope this helps

Richard

 

[peterb26]

[ QUOTE ]
KMT = Kicker, mainsheet, Topping Lift.

TMK = Topping Lift, mainsheet, Kicker


never heard of KMT until I did YM prep... now it is more or less second nature.

Richard

[/ QUOTE ]

That sounds familiar..... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Leighb]

That is really useful,
I have recently bought a Halmatic 30 with in-mast reefing.
It is a right pain to get in & out. It has no topping lift or kicker, just a fixed strut where the kicker would be.

The original Proctor instructions do say this is what it should have, but I have been thinking that it ought to have a conventional kicker & topping lift.

Your post has given me some confidence to replace the strut next season, - hopefully less swearing when unfurling/reefing the mainsail. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
KMT

[/ QUOTE ]

That sounds familiar..... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

If we are about to do something with the main, and I look like I'm thinking about it, janet shouts "KMT!!". She did her competent Crew at the same time as I did YM prep, and it took me days to get KMT into my thick skull.

OXO's were also now to me, but work a treat.

 

[Nick_Pam]

Doh!
Didn't mention the Topping Lift because "Freya" has a sprung-loaded strut kicker and so when I let it off, the boom rises!!

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
Doh!
Didn't mention the Topping Lift because "Freya" has a sprung-loaded strut kicker and so when I let it off, the boom rises!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Rogue has a spring or gas loaded strut aswell, but it doesnt work!