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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Single Line Reefing Process

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Jim Mc
1st Mate

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USA
43 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/06/2004 : 01:29:33

I have a 2000WK with a standard single line reef that leads to the cockpit. Can anyone recommend a simple process (by the numbers) that will help keep a novice and his wife out of trouble on a blustry day? We have reefed a few times but it is strictly hit and miss with no system. We reviewed reefing topics on the 250 forum but did not find a step by step method.

Edited by - on

Steve Raffel
Captain

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262 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2004 : 08:18:48

A good rule of thumb is if you are in doubt, put the reef in. If you find you don't need the reef, it is easier to take it out than put it in. If we think we are going to need a reef, we put it in before we leave our slip rather than while we are under sail. We also found that a reefing hook works better than the single line reefing system the boat came with. We drop the main enough to put the luff cringle on the reef hook. Then we pull hard on the reefing line to bring the clew to boom. It is important to pull the main halyard up tight after you put in the reef so that the topping lift releases. You also want the foot of the sail and the luff tight to flatten the sail. Put in some reefing ties and it is done. We added a second reef to our main. While we rarely use it, it is nice to have in a very strong blow.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2004 : 08:29:16

Reefing ties are an interesting subject. The point of ties is to clean up the bagging sail along the boom. In my experience they are most often ignored because of the damage that can be done if something gives on the reef outhaul or at the cringles. Ties are never to be under any tension, if ties are used there should be a lot of slack in them so when the sail is under full pressure there is still no tension on the ties. The ties will rip the middle of the sail out. Every sailmaker I have ever heard discuss the subject recommends against tying them.

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2004 : 09:51:37

My sailmaker says the same thing "don't use reefing ties"! (On "TSU" there aren't even any reefing cringles for the ties!) Certainly the "bagginess" of the main looks ugly - but it really does not affect performance. When racing, the lack of the ties enables the reef to be thrown out much quicker - we often run to weather in higher winds with a reefed main and then un-reef it at the weather mark to go downwind.
Derek

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2004 : 10:56:29

Don't get in the habit of only putting a reef in at the dock, because you need to know how to tuck one in while under way. It isn't that difficult, but you have to practice it a few times to gain confidence that you can do it.

To reef a boat while underway, you need a topping lift other than the pigtail that comes on our boats. The topping lift keeps the boom from dropping into the cockpit while you're tucking in the reef. If you don't have a topping lift, that should be a priority.

You also need a reefing system (either single-line or two-line), and the lines have to be routed correctly.

To tuck in a reef, (1) ease the mainsheet and boom vang so that the sail is luffing. (2) Lower the mainsail enough so that you can attach the reef hook (if you have one) to the luff cringle. If you don't have a reef hook, then you should have a line that you can use to pull the luff cringle down to the boom. (3) Re-tension the main halyard. (4) Pull on the reefing line that pulls the leech cringle down to the boom. (5) Re-tension the boom vang and mainsheet.

In short, to reef the boat, you simply have to pull the luff cringle and the leech cringle down to the boom, in that order.

Once you learn how to do it, it's easy to tuck it in and shake it out, as Derek pointed out, when you alternate from a beat to a reach or run. When the wind pipes up, and you start to get concerned, you won't be kicking yourself for not tucking in a reef before you left the dock.

Edited by - on

Keith D.
Navigator

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USA
233 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2004 : 23:20:29

Steve how do you get the luff cringle down to the boom? The sail slug stop and the sail slugs will keep the cringle 6-8 inches off of the boom for the first reef and there will be even more sail slugs in the way for the second reef. Even if I put a mast gate on the mast and take the stop off it is very hard to get the first cringle down to the boom around the sail slugs and the second reef cringle I can't get near the boom because of the number of sail slugs in the track.

Keith Umbreit c250 wb #8

Edited by - on

Steve Raffel
Captain

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262 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2004 : 21:17:55

There might be a difference in how Catalina cut the sails on various versions of the boat but on my boat I can pull the cringle down to the reefing horn that I installed on the shakle at the gooseneck where the tack attaches to the boom. I had a rigger weld a reefing hook onto the tack shackle. I can lower the cringle onto that hook without removing any sail slugs. If you can't do that, you might explain the problem to a sailmaker. I can also do the same for the second reef. It has been my experience that the reef hook works much better for keeping the luff tight than using the single line reef setup. I use the reef line only to pull the clew to the boom.

Edited by - on

Keith D.
Navigator

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USA
233 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2004 : 22:21:52

Steve are you using a mast gate or a stop? Do you know how many sail slugs are below the reefing points? I think I have 2 below the first reefing cringle to get around. How high off of the boom is your reefing hook? Keith Umbreit C250 WB #8

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2004 : 11:58:23

Steve do you have a photo of what your horn and hook look like when in use? I put a horn on my gooseneck but it had to be mounted on the starboard side, didn't fit on the inside (like Bill Bosworths). In the end I removed it because my luff cringle didn't quite reach. I never heard of the hook you speak of. Photo would shed more light and maybe more ideas, thanks!

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Steve Raffel
Captain

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262 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 08:06:17

I will take a photo and try to post it. If I can't figure out how to do that, I'll email it. Look for it within a week.

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Charlie Vick
Captain

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USA
423 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2004 : 13:05:38

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 Reefing ties are an interesting subject. The point of ties is to clean up the bagging sail along the boom. In my experience they are most often ignored because of the damage that can be done if something gives on the reef outhaul or at the cringles. Ties are never to be under any tension, if ties are used there should be a lot of slack in them so when the sail is under full pressure there is still no tension on the ties. The ties will rip the middle of the sail out. Every sailmaker I have ever heard discuss the subject recommends against tying them.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I use small looped elastic cords with plastic balls on the ends for securing. Easy on, easy off and the elastic stretches enough to keep from damaging the sail. Plus since its not directly attached to the sail the elastic will give before the sail does. Works for me.

CVick
PanaceaII '81 C25 #2439 SRSK

Edited by - on

Steve Raffel
Captain

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262 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2004 : 14:03:48

I have been unable to post the pictures. If you email me from my viewer profile, I'll email the pictures to you.

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2004 : 14:34:54

... If you email me from my viewer profile ... - Steve Raffel

Hi Steve,

I've tried to send you an email two times now ... both have been returned to me as undeliverable ... 'looks like there is something wrong with the email link in your profile.

Edited by - on

Steve Raffel
Captain

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262 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2004 : 21:43:23

I have received another email from my profile so I am not sure what the problem is. I'll email the 2 photos to you.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2004 : 03:27:42

Jim Mc,

Besides learning to reef you will want to learn how to "HOVE TO".

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mmodine
1st Mate

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26 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2004 : 00:18:54

Our boat came with single line reefing and it has been modified to two line reefing. Where we sail it is VERY important to be able to throw in a reef at a moments notice, often in sudden, strong winds.

The first thing to do, at the dock with no wind, is mark your halyard so you know how far to lower the main to put in the reef and how far to raise it again once it is in; red magic marker works well.

Lower the main to the second mark, pull the reefing line until the forward part of the reef line is down to the boom (the lower sail slug should be on a line which allows the reefing cringle to go below the slug) while yanking on the aft reef line until it is about down to the boom. Raise the main to the second mark on the halyard. Put the reefing line on the winch and tighten it up until the the reefing line is flat on the boom.

If you tighten the reefing line first you will break sail slugs. Also, running the reef line through a block on the aft reefing cringle will reduce some of the friction.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2004 : 08:47:57

Lots of good stuff here. Jim, I want to second Steve on the importance of the topping lift. Not just to keep the boom from falling in the cockpit, but, as I do, even to bring the boom up a little. There is no force needed to bring the new clew to where you want it, and the reefing lines (which I do use, but never under tension).

I added a real topping lift by putting a block on the pin where the back stay attaches at the top of the mast.

Oscar
C42 # 76 "Lady Kay"
C250 # 618 Currently FOR SALE
http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/C250WB

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Jim Mc
1st Mate

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USA
43 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2004 : 00:40:45

Thanks for all the input on reefing, it has been invaluable. We have converted our single line system to a two line by using some unused blocks, lines and the addition of a mast gate. We now use one line to pull the luff cringle to the boom and then use the other to secure the leech cringle. The mast gate allows us to get the first reef point on the boom with out breaking any sail slugs. We have found that with the two line system, heaving to makes reefing easier. Put in the reef, reset the jib and off you go.

Edited by - Jim Mc on 08/24/2004 00:45:01

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