Do-able, solo, on a real close reach, too.

Posted By: Gary, Santana 2023A, Milwaukee
Date: 7/7/08 6:30a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Reefing (link) (George E Norkus, Santana 2023A, SE Michigan)

Much more than that, and the battens jam forward, start impacting the mast after 4-5 wraps of the main. My friend Dan and I can also reef/furl when running down wind in light/moderate air, even 'light' heavy air. Not hard, but not easy, either, as whomever is on the tiller must also be pulling aft on the roach as it furls, ESPECIALLY as the battens near the boom. Solo, I oft times simply go into a tight reach in light air with the tiller tamer (lines) holding my course. Other than that, solo, iron genny straight into the wind, tamer or auto-pilot holding course, while I raise or furl the main. But solo in really heavy air? Raising the main is easy (for me), it's the dousing of the main, solo, in 25 knots that's the challenge, when headed into harbor. Man, you simply cannot beat the auto-pilot for that.