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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Reefing Line Size

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juswalk
1st Mate

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USA
34 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/25/2013 : 05:34:11

What size line do you all use for your single or double line reefing systems? I have access to a fair amount of 1/4 dacron and would like to use that if possible. Thanks!

Hull#5484 1986 Catalina 25 TR/FK "Lorelei" NAS Pensacola

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CarbonSink62
Navigator

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USA
208 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2013 : 06:09:56

I haven't set mine up yet, but I'm planning to use 1/4" as well.

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2013 : 06:18:10

I used 1/4" dacron with double line reefing on my Catalina 25.

The new owner is copying the setup on my Pearson 28-2, which is single line reefing using amsteel spliced to double braid dacron. The Amsteel length is long enough to end just before the winch when the sail is reefed. The advantage of Amsteel is that it doesn't stretch (good for maintaining sail shape) and it is very slippery so it slides nicely over the sail. Single line reefing uses one clutch space instead of 2. That is helpful on the Catalina 25.

I have noticed that I get a better reefed sail shape with the setup on my Pearson than I did with the setup on my Catalina.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2013 : 10:23:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by awetmore
 I used 1/4" dacron with double line reefing on my Catalina 25.

The new owner is copying the setup on my Pearson 28-2, which is single line reefing using amsteel spliced to double braid dacron. The Amsteel length is long enough to end just before the winch when the sail is reefed. The advantage of Amsteel is that it doesn't stretch (good for maintaining sail shape) and it is very slippery so it slides nicely over the sail. Single line reefing uses one clutch space instead of 2. That is helpful on the Catalina 25.

I have noticed that I get a better reefed sail shape with the setup on my Pearson than I did with the setup on my Catalina.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">After posting a question (a few month ago) about single line reefing, you guys about have me talked out of it. Alex, can you post a description and/or diagram of your single line set-up? Harken has some great drawings that can be copied.

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2013 : 11:09:07

My Catalina 25 was setup with option B on this page:
http://www.harken.com/content.aspx?id=3900

My Pearson is setup with option A, and we are moving the Catalina to option A:

Option A, when the sliding portion of the line (what touches the sail) is Amsteel (dyneema), is about as smooth as option B. We have a winch available on both boats to finally harden the line. Note that I don't have the clew block on track as Harken does. On the Catalina 25 we are using the original factory block, though we beefed it up by bolting it across the boom instead of having self tapping screws into the boom.

The downside with single line reefing is that the line is going through two cringles (grommits) which add friction (with two line reefing each line is only going through one). The line length is also longer and more prone to stretch. Using dyneema helps both of those issues.

Dyneema doesn't work in a clutch or on a winch, so you need some double braid for the portion that goes through your clutch and around the winch. I splice the two lines together using this splice:
http://l-36.com/halyard_splice.php

It is a pretty easy splice to do.

Edited by - awetmore on 04/25/2013 11:11:09

juswalk
1st Mate

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USA
34 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2013 : 16:26:15

Thanks for the advice.

The splicing reference uses 1/4" double braid and 1/8" dyneema. Are these the dimensions you used as well?

Thanks!

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2013 : 21:26:17

On my Pearson I used 5/16" double braid and 5/32" dyneema.

On the Catalina we are using 1/4" double braid and 5/32" dyneema. 1/4" and 1/8" should be fine, it's more than strong enough.

I put a Brummel splice in the end of the dyneema that goes around the boom (or through the boom mounted padeye if you prefer that).

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2013 : 22:00:27

To me, the primary downside to single-line reefing is getting sufficient tension on the foot of the sail without putting too much on the slugs. Double-line allows you to snug down the tack and then pull down the clew, where the line acts as an out-haul. It also reduces the friction on each line.

Either way, I don't like the drawing above because it pulls the tack straight down rather than forward somewhat. Especially with a single-line setup, that's an invitation to slugs popping out of the mast kerf. I put the deck block at the forward position on the mast base plate, but I was thinking of adding one on the mast for more forward purchase.

In any case, I'm a 2-line fan. (Pull the tack down first, then clew.) To me, a single-line does a half-a$$*d job in about the same amount of time. If you don't have enough clutches, add one, or think about what other line doesn't really need clutches and add a cam cleat.

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Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2013 : 03:40:46

I use a hook at the gooseneck, and the single line at the clew of the sail. there is a cheek block mounted on the mast which provides ample tension on the foot of the sail. that line leads forward to the mast, where I tie onto a horn cleat at the mast. Head forward to the mast, drop the halyard to pick uop the hook and retension the halyard. bring on the reefing line and the main is a nice flat shape. Quick & simple

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2013 : 04:45:00

I just setup 2 line reefing on mine.. and rigging an outhaul to change from one to the other clew but finding the aft reefing line boom cheek block was far enough aft to sufficiently act as an outhaul.

One less thing to have to change.

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2013 : 15:52:56

Or an option to Rays set up for the clew line,( He pulls the line forward to a clam cleat) Reverse the cheek block and pull the line aft to a clam cleat. This works very well for those who have a Bimini.

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