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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Reefing the mainsail

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T O P I C R E V I E W
johnnyd	Posted - 12/31/2020 : 02:25:58 Does anyone know how to rig the reefing line on the main? A diagram would be helpful. I have a basic idea just want to make sure I am doing it right. Thanks
15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
dmpilc	Posted - 01/15/2021 : 15:57:20 Another thing to consider is your sail/rig, standard or tall. I had the tall rig and found that the first reef brought it down close to standard rig size. Being a lake sailor, that didn't bother me. Most of my reefing was done at the dock before sailing, for the Admiral or daughter & granddaughter being on board.
C25BC	Posted - 01/09/2021 : 06:31:32 [quote]Originally posted by dmpilc Your choice of setup may also depend on whether you have a fixed boom or sliding gooseneck. [/quote Sliding goose neck
C25BC	Posted - 01/08/2021 : 13:55:47 [quote]Originally posted by dmpilc Your choice of setup may also depend on whether you have a fixed boom or sliding gooseneck. [/quote Sliding goose neck
Lee Panza	Posted - 01/08/2021 : 12:07:38 I like the idea of a small block at the cringle, and I'll be making that change, although it'll mean switching sides for the padeyes on the boom. But I just use my single-line system on my second reef. The first reef is what I use fairly often on SF Bay in the summertime. That's the "Yes, dear" reef (I probably don't need to explain the term to those who bring the Admiral along), and I'm OK with going forward to secure the tack in conditions that just need a single reef. But when it's time for the 2nd reef, I want to be able to do that entirely from the cockpit. That 2nd reef is my "Oh, S#!T" reef. I use 1/4" Amsteel for the reefing line, for it's low friction. One problem that should be pointed out, is the inconvenience posed by that reefing line - especially when it's used for the upper, second reef. Each time the mainsail comes down I have the sagging loops of line to deal with. Hauling it all back to the cockpit, and stowing it properly, would mean it would have to pay out as the sail goes back up, which would add difficulty to raising the sail. Instead, once the sail is bundled on the boom, I tuck those loops under the sail ties. When I'm sailing under the first reef I do haul in the excess. Then, if I shake-out that reef while underway I reach up and grab the line where it comes aft along the boom and I pull a bunch of slack into it before raising the sail to full hoist. By the way, in considering a reefing system for the mainsail, thought also needs to be given to two related systems: the boom topping lift and the lazy-jacks. These have both been discussed at length in this forum, but "johnnyd" (as the Original Poster here) please give some thought to those systems at the same time as you set up your reefing system.
dmpilc	Posted - 01/08/2021 : 07:57:50 Your choice of setup may also depend on whether you have a fixed boom or sliding gooseneck.
C25BC	Posted - 01/07/2021 : 07:49:52 I use 2 cheek blocks each at a 22.5 angle away from the sail, 3 eye straps on the boom between the blocks, one round padeye on the mast running to a block at the base, running thru the clutch back to the cockpit. Using a continuous Samson warp speed 5/16 line ( no hook ) . It works efficiently and without fail every time on my loose foot main .
Stinkpotter	Posted - 01/06/2021 : 21:50:20 Regarding the diagram: (1) Is Leon describing a block at the reef clew as well as the tack? (2) I believe the block toward the boom end must be positioned to tension the foot of the main when reefed.
JohnP	Posted - 01/06/2021 : 17:12:12 Here's a diagram of a jiffy reefing setup
dmpilc	Posted - 01/06/2021 : 14:10:44 I haven't tried it, so I don't know about chafe, but I suspect we're talking about a Harken micro block and soft shackle at the 2 grommets, shouldn't be very abrasive. when in use, the shackles probably come down snug against the boom.
Stinkpotter	Posted - 01/05/2021 : 21:25:57 Leon and David: I'm curious about chafe on the sail from carrying blocks at the reef points when the sail isn't reefed. (I assume you aren't installing them when you decide to reef.)
Leon Sisson	Posted - 01/05/2021 : 20:22:40 After reading about the pros and cons of single vs. 2-line jiffy reefing, I installed single line jiffy reefing (1st & 2nd reefs) on my Catalina 25. It works great for me. As described by DavidP, I have ball bearing blocks at the cringles of 1st reef to reduce friction in the long single line. Using those blocks, the reefing line doesn't switch sides at the cringles. As I recall, I omitted the blocks at the 2nd reef cringles, as I've only needed to use it a few times. Lines for both reefs are lead aft along the stbd side through fairleads, turning blocks, deck organizer, and line clutches. I have cabin top halyard winches aft of the clutches for final tensioning if needed. With halyard, vang, and topping lift also lead aft, I can take in a reef single handed very quickly.
C25BC	Posted - 01/01/2021 : 11:45:39 I bought and installed the reef kit from Catalina Direct for my C22, it worked fine, but didn�t like having to go to the mast to to put the hook in the grommet, especially in heavy weather. For my 25 I bought the components separately, continuous line runs back to the cockpit and works well. 5/16 the line is what I use also. I�ve read a lot of positive info on the double reef line set up.
dmpilc	Posted - 01/01/2021 : 08:45:50 with the 2 line method (not using a reef hook), the forward line generally starts on one side of the mast several inches below the boom, runs up through the reef grommet, then down to a cleat on the other side of the mast, also several inches below the boom. I believe that with a single line setup you would essentially continue the aft line forward but through a cheek block at the front of the boom, up through the forward reef grommet, then down to the cleat on the mast. With a single line system, I believe you would ease the main halyard while pulling in the reefing line, bringing the aft reef grommet to the boom first, then the forward grommet cleating the reefing line when both ends of the sail are down, then secure the halyard. You may need to ease the mainsheet a bit first, especially if you are single handing the boat. Also, some guys have installed a small swivel block at each reef grommet to reduce friction on the line. Recommend 5/16" line.
dmpilc	Posted - 01/01/2021 : 07:25:32 I sailed on an inland lake, rarely by myself, so I preferred what could be a a 2 line system, but I used a reefing hook at the gooseneck, eliminating the second line. I attached the aft line to the post on the cheek block near the end of the boom, ran the line under the boom and up through the reef grommet, back down and through the block, then forward to a cleat on the starboard side of the boom close enough to the mast to be able to control it while standing at the mast. To reef, I or my crew would ease the main halyard enough to put the forward reef grommet on the reef hook, tighten the main and cleat it. Then, with the helm easing the mainsheet, we would pull in the aft reefing line to bring the sail down to the boom. Reverse to shake out the reef. most of the time, if I thought we would need to reef, I did it at the dock getting the boat ready to sail. On our C-22, I use a loose-footed main designed for racing with no reef option, also no slugs on the luff.
C25BC	Posted - 12/31/2020 : 07:32:27 If you google jiffy reef system there�s lots of diagrams, I use the single line system, works well for me. I sail on a inland mountain lake and reef most summer afternoons when the wind kicks up. ( I can�t upload pics on this site

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.