[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by Lancer28

ok so if I re-route the reef lines (from the padeye through the cringle and then to the turning block, terminating at the cleat "Reef 1"), then I would need to tie in a small overhand knot or two to keep the line from simply pulling straight through the clew cringle and not supplying tension?

Actually, the line should be tied to the boom, through the padeye, if there is one to locate the line. The way you'd route the line is:

Tie the line to the boom, through the padeye if there is one for the reefing point.

Run the line up and through the reefing clew cringle.

Then run it aft and down to the turning block on the boom

The run it forward to the cleat.

I think I have it down now if that is the case:

line -> padeye to cringle with knot to "hold" then to turning block, pull tight, then tie off.

Rest of the cringles: whip up some small lines of about 3/8" to use as sail ties to keep things tidy.

1/4" should be sufficient.

Tack: obviously, in the hooks on the gooseneck.

This is done as the first step of reefing the main. Shaking out a reef is done in reverse order of reefing a sail, so the tack hook is released last. This is to prevent you from damaging the sail's luff or the reef foot area.

WAIT - I just had an idea, why can't I supply a bowline attached to a shackle to that reef line then all I do is clip in the "new" outhaul, and run the line through the turning block without needing to tie a knot that could snag or bind?

THANKS GUYS! This totally shed light on this subject for me, I was honestly left feeling like I lost 100IQ after trying to sort this out before.

Robert

The line is tied to the boom, and there is little chance of it snagging or binding on anything.