Reefing 101

Posted By: Jay H, Sea Pearl 21, Seaward 24, Yankton SD
Date: 4/12/09 8:45a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Reefing (Donna Ross)

Hi Donna, I found some pictures that should help. I'll do my best to explain this and anybody please correct me if I make a mistake or leave something out. Most of the Seawards came with a Slab reefing system. It's usually got a single line that runs aft through the boom, loops up through the rear cringle (grommet) in the mainsail and then is tied off at the boom again. As detailed in the cheesy drawing You loosen the main halyard and then deploy the reefing line at the front of the boom which draws the sail down on the boom. There is a cam that locks down and holds the line in place. Then you can secure the forward reefing cringle to the boom and then tie off the center reefing points. Here's how it looks on our 90 S 24. The reefing line aft Our mainsail has a slot cut in it for the line to pass thru but the line can be secured a few different ways. One inconveniance for us, is that when reefing, we have to let the bottom sail slug come out of the track for the sail to come down far enough We have a Ramshorn on the yoke of the boom to hook the forward reefing cringle How it looks hooked(this can also be tied off with excess reefing line if no ramshorn) And here's how it all looks when deployed and tied off As you can see above, we have two lines in the boom, one for the outhaul and the other for reefing. I usually put the reef in before I leave the dock if possible but if underway, I can usually get her reefed in a minute or two if someone is on the helm. Reefing alone is a little more dicey but do-able. Just make sure you get her pointed into the wind, let her flog and run through the steps. Practice it several times on a calm day, you'll get it down. Hope that helps Jay