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Jiffy Reefing

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jkountz
1st Mate

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USA
48 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/06/2003 : 12:37:38

I'm a new C250 owner trying to figure out how the jiffy reefing system is supposed to work. When the boat was delivered, the jiffy reefing line ran from the 1st reef point of the leach, down to the boom, inside and forward where it exits the boom.

At that point the line was not attached to anything. I think the line should go down to the block on the port side of the mast and then back up and through the 1st reef point in the luff and then back down to be tied off on the cleet on the starboard side of the mast.

Seems like this works, have not had a chance to try it. I have two observations about this.

1) The line should be lead aft to the cockpit. To do that it looks like I need a couple of blocks and a clutch. If someone has done this I'd appreciate pics or feedback.

2) I can't easily change to the other reef point with out manually changing the reef point where the jiffy reef is connected to. Is there a way with to allow me to set either reef point using the single jiffy reefing line?

Thanks in advance.
John Kountz
Foolish Treasure #668

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2003 : 16:33:30

John,
The issue of the Catalina 250 owners manual I have has a pretty good illustration of the main sail reefing plan. It is in the section entitled tuning the mast,if you don't have a C-250 owners manual it is available on-line. I know there are members who can give this to you, probably right from memory. But what you described doesn't sound exactly complete. The first year I had my C 250 WB I sailed with nothing but a reefed main just because of all the inputs to the forum from fellow sailors of sailing in moderate wind and the perils that can happen. If no one follows up I can scan the particular illustration to your "E" mail address..... "Bear" on Brandy [on the hard] in upstate N.Y.

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marzluff
Deckhand

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USA
23 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2003 : 19:33:21

If I'm not mistaken, my reef line is tied off to the boom, goes through the reef point in the back of the sail, foreward in the boom, then exits the boom, goes through the reef point int front of the sail , then dowm the starboard side of the mast to a block then aft to the cockpit to a clutch. I have not used the first reef pointand have mine rigged through the second. the 1st point gives minimal reefing. I've found that when I need to reef, I need the full reef, not just the minimal sail reduction that the first reef gives.But then again, I don't mind the occasional 30 degree heel.

Edited by - on

Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2003 : 19:50:55

Hi John,

The single reef line is close to what you described. Here is how it is on Daylight Again.

The line starts by tying around the boom going up to the first reef point of the leach, back down to the boom, thru the boom coming out at the mast, to a block mounted on the port side of the mast, then up to the first reef point on the luff, down to a swivel block at the base of the mast on the starbord side, thru a deck block and cleats next to the main halyard on the cabin top next to the starboard jib sheet winch.

I modified this a little. I did not like the angle the line came out of the boom to the block mounted on the port side of the mast, so I added a swivel block at the base of the mast on the port side. Now the line comes straight down from the front of the boom, to the base of the mast on the port side, then up thru the first reef point on the luff, down to the swivel block at the base of the mast on the starboard side then back to the cockpit. Other than that little change everything else is factory.

Bryan Beamer
Daylight Again
C250wk #495

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jkountz
1st Mate

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USA
48 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2003 : 19:52:26

Thanks guys. I found the picture at: http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/m25017.gif

The only thing I had wrong was tying off the end of the reef line at the end of the boom. I think I will be adding the blocks and a double clutch on the starboard side to allow reefing from the cockpit.

I wonder if it's common for folks to simply use the second reef like marzluff indicates. My understanding is that our boats sail better when sailing flat, 30% would not be smart performance wise.

Edited by - on

bill bosworth
Navigator

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USA
172 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2003 : 20:35:36

John;
Welcome to the fleet. We've saided our C250 in all kinds of wind. We have two reef points but use the first the most. The boat is not nearly as tender as some would indicate. Proper balance of the boat, by adjusting the centerboard is important. If it's really blowing we put in the second reef. My reef points are still on the mast, as is my halyard, I haven't found this to be a problem. Like Brian, I didn't like the lead angle of the line from the boom to the turning block, so I moved the block down near the base of the mast. Where the block was mounted caused the line to chafe as it came out of the boom. Enjoy your new boat.
Bill
Serendipity C250wb #314

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2003 : 21:21:17

I agree that the second reef is more important than the first. So, if only settin one of them up, go for the second. However, at least one change has to be made. The reef line needs to start at about 45 deg aft of the reef tack when it is near the boom. There are two ways to do this. If loose footing the main, then its no problem to hitch around the boom. If not loose footed, then either an eye strap on the boom or running thru a sail grommet near the boom. Some sails will have a grommet installed for this purpose.

If wanting to run both reef points, the 2nd is often done by adding cheeck blocks on the boom. If using a single line reef, then one fore and one aft with the aft about 45 degrees aft of the reef clew. The line is then started at the becket of the aft cheek block, routes under the boom and up thru the reef clew and back thru the cheek block and forward thru the fore cheek block, then up thru the tack and back down to turning block on base of mast or to a horn cleat on mast. If using a horn cleat on the mast, then the cheek blocks should be installed on port side of the boom.

A two line system would only use the aft cheek block and a horn cleat would be placed forward on the boom to handle the clew line while another line handles the tack.

In order to jiffy reef the 2nd reef point, the sail slugs should be managed in a way that allows the tack to be drawn down to the boom without dropping a slug. It's better to have two lines and not have to deal with dropping a sail slug than to have a single line system that requires a slug to be dropped.

Single line systems are difficult to draw down well and will likely need winching down or coaxing at various points. The use of a winch while hauling on a halyard or reef line can cause slug failures that otherwise would be avoided by feeling the fouled slug.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
R&R N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

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Rick Evans
1st Mate

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USA
38 Posts

Response Posted - 01/09/2003 : 18:36:43

The replies to your question have all very accurately explained how the jiffy reefing system works and I have nothing to add except to say that you'll probably need to buy a snap block (i.e. pulley with a clasp) to attack to the base of your mast. This will allow you to run the line from the mast towards one of the clutches near the cockpit. When you need to reef, it's far easier to pull a line from the safety of the cockpit rather than climb forward to the mast. I also would like to add that I only use the first reef point. Although I have had occasion to use the second reef point, I find that with the jib completely furled and just the first reef in, I can handle 20 knot winds w/o problem. Above that, the second reef makes sense. Of course, I have a wing keel which may be different than yours. Good luck.
Rick Evans
#583

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