Reefing system

[bristol321]

Can anyone reccommend a good reefing system. Two reefing points on the mainsail, however thereis no other hardware on the boom. This is for a bristol 32.

[sailingdog]

Two-line slab reefing is the way to go if you want to lead the lines back to the cockpit. Otherwise, put a reefing line up for the clew reefing cringle on each reef point and then use a tack hook for the reefing tack cringle.

Add a set of lazyjacks, and you're good to go.

Pineapple Sails has a good page on two-line reefing systems, located here.

[sailingfool]

you might want to read this tread, it worked this subject over pretty well.

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/showth...hlight=reefing

[petmac]

Two line reefing with Dutchman.

[Jeff_H]

Yes, two line is the way to go. Simple, reliable, less line to haul, less friction, great sail shape control, cheap, allows different boom angles for heavy air vs normal, in other words everything you want out of reefing system. While single line seems like a great idea, there is a lot more line to haul, a lot more friction and heavier loads to deal with. One important tip is to mark the main halyard at its proper position. If you do you can simply release the halyard to its mark and pull in the tack line by hand without even needing a winch. Then all youy need to do is pull in the clew line which does very much require a winch near the end of its tensioning.

Jeff

[petmac]

Selden single line reefing apparently works well. They use internal sliding blocks to even out tension.

[sailingdog]

PetMac-

You might want to read the webpage I posted a link to above at Pineapple sails about why two-line reefing is a better idea...

[Jeff_H]

I didn't think the Selden worked well at all. I was amazed at the amount of effort required and also could not get the clew tension right at all. One of the big problems with the single line systems is that they have a lot of friction and while you normally have almost no tension on the tack line until it is almost completely tensioned, with single line reefing system, you have the tension from the clew while you are tensioning both the clew and the tack. Also on a typical system the clew line has a 2:1 with most single-line systems the way the system works in the boom, you only have a 1:1 load making the work much harder.

In my opinion there nothing simple or easy about single line systems. Even the Harken guys told me they think that single line systems are way over sold.

Respectfully,
Jeff

[PorFin]

Very informative, and the Pineapple Sail's narrative is compelling.

I've no personal experience with two-line reefing, and have been content (perhaps in my ignorance) with jiffy reefing.

Quick questions:
= What would be involved in replacing jiffy reefing with two-line?
= Are the advantages of two-line reefing such that it makes sense to undertake the project?

[petmac]

Selden is 2:1. I've never used one,but I have spoken to people who have them and like them. I like the idea of not having to go to the mast.
Sailingdog,thanks for the Pineapple Sails link.Interesting.