[Brian Duff]

While the reef line, when moved forward, may hold the sail down closer to the boom, I still do not feel that overall this system is better. The biggest problem with any sheaves for reefing positioned forward of the clew is that the sail can only be reefed on one tack safely. Many times sailing on boats with that set up we have had a problem of either the sail jamming in the sheave/reef line , or if the operator of the winch didn't notice then the sail gets ripped. Leading the reef line correctly, as we have discussed here before, can alleviate this problem, but a rigger cannot be sure that this will be done every time. i guess this can still happen even with end boom lead reef lines...

With the end of boom lead, the clew may float up off the boom some, but this has always been acceptable to me. On some boats the owner and I decided that fitting a sail tie through the new reefed clew ring around the boom was a good safety, but the process of putting this strop in doesn't seem all that safe. Using low stretch high strength dyneema core reef lines will minimize chafe and maximize retention of sail shape, even with deeply reefed sails.

...