Reefing tack help needed

[Brian Duff]

The reefing tack control line I lead (also the outhaul control line for reefing) comes up and down on the same side of the sail or its slides,(so tucks under the first slide as it leaves the cleat, to then work only on one side of the sail) so there is never an issue with bunching or crowding. I guess it would be okay to even run the lines from a cleat on one side back down to the cleat on the same side, except that when tacking the tension on the foot of the sail would change....

[bwindrope]

Again, thank you Ian and Brian.

I have replaced my reefing hook/bolt with just a plain bolt and believe I am going to do the pendant thing as was recommended. I tried it today, and it works great. I have an existing cleat on my mast for the main halyard, and it has room to double the reef line with the halyard. This works well because the sequence of releasing and tightening lines works out.

One question on the clew tensioning though: If you have both sides of your reefing line on the same side of the boom, which I do, is it a problem that the boom gets twisted when you tighten the reef? Because the lines are on the side of the boom, they can't help but lift and twist the boom up toward the cringle as you tighten the reef. Is it normal and OK?

Boy it feels great to be getting Aeolus all correctly rigged.

[Brion Toss]

Hi there,
I'll just jump in to say that, although Brian and Ian have covered most of my faves (clew deadend on same side as block, halyard and lift, etc.), here's two more: attach a snap shackle to the gooseneck, and have a suitably-sized webbing-and-ring arrangement in the reef tack rings. Mark your halyard at the spot where it is easy to clip the shackle in. No fumbling, no significant drift aft, and no chance of the tack slipping out.
Another sweet one is to have a Cunningham, which I strongly recommend anyway, as it greatly reduces frequency of reefing, and to use your Cunningham as a reef tack tackle as well. In this case, on a boat your size, it is best to lead a pendant up, through, and down, to double the purchase. Lead it through a fairlead well aft on the mast, at the proper height, but only for the Cunningham. For the reef, it's webbing and ring.The logic here is that you need purchase to pull the Cunningham down against the halyard, but for reefing you only need to get the slack out with the tackle, then tension with the halyard.
With any of these arrangements it can be handy, on some boats, to have a light pendant just for pulling the sail down, but this is often just a sign that there's too much friction in the system, and that a Strong Track or something like it is in order.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[bwindrope]

Thanks for your input Brion. I like the gooseneck idea and pondered it as an option. It would mean attaching the snap shackle for the reef to the same pin as the normal tack cringle. Would you have two shackles handy for each reef, or one does it? I do have a Cunningham cringle already in my main but no rigging to use it. Will take that advice too.

Still have that question about mast twisting while reefed and whether it is OK?

Have to say, I asked at the Friday Harbor library whether they had or could get copies of your rig tuning video. Didn't have it, and couldn't even get it via inter library loan, which is unusual. After I explained to the librarian about the value of the series to sailors like me, she ordered a copy of the entire series, including four or five DVD's, for our local library. I was the first to get to check them out, and wow, thank you for producing such a clear and informative video series. Even a good dose of your humor. I, for one, appreciate it very much.

Had my main up at the dock yesterday, adjusting and practicing my reefing procedures, when I got slammed by 30-40 knot gusts of wind from out of nowhere. Let me tell you, it was about as realistic as possible considering I was tied to the dock!!! Learned a lot about the forces involved and am happy to say that even with high winds and no ability to get the wind out of the main very well, I was still able to reef both reefs without much trouble. The blocks and cheekblocks and all that really do their job.

Cheers to all,

[Jim Fulton]

Originally Posted by Brion Toss

Hi there,
...: attach a snap shackle to the gooseneck, and have a suitably-sized webbing-and-ring arrangement in the reef tack rings. ...
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

Where would one find such a webbing-and-ring arrangement?

Jim Fulton

[bwindrope]

Jim,
I'm fairly certain that what Brion is referring to is just having stainless rings slightly larger than your reef cringles sewn onto either side of the sail with webbing. You have to do it yourself, or have it done. Most chandleries will have the rings, and even easier to get a beefy webbing from some marine or rock climbing store.

Many mainsails, including my new North sail, come with these already installed. The rings are sewn pretty close to the sail, with only enough give on either side for the ring to lay flat against the sail when pulled down.

Hope this helps.