How attach reefing lines

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by Bene505

This is for our Beneteau 50, not loose footed. We had it reefed last month and tied a bowline directly to the eye in the sail (kringle?).

Definitely don't do it this way!! But you already seem to recognize this isn't the right approach.

I'll only add to the good advice above that it is preferable to have the termination point for the reefing line (where it secures to the boom after passing through the cringle) somewhat aft of the cringle itself. This helps to get good outhaul tension on the reefed sail.

If you reef the sail with insufficient "outhaul" tension (provided by the reefing line), you can end up with too much draft in the sail and it may not depower as you'd expect from taking a reef.

[Bene505]

There's 2 lines for each reef. (Double line reefing?)

I don't think I'd trust a figure 8 knot. I read somewhere (maybe sailnet) about a better stopper knot that doesn't come undone, and converted all my figure 8s to it. Not sure of the name for it.

The bowline sounds the best. That and half hitches can't be beat IMHO.

[Bene505]

The attachment points that on the bottom of the boom slide. So there may be no way to attach the end of the reefing line outward of the eye in the sail. It would tend to be straight down from the eye. Unless I run a line from the eye toward the outhaul end of the boom.

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by Bene505

The attachment points that on the bottom of the boom slide. So there may be no way to attach the end of the reefing line outward of the eye in the sail. It would tend to be straight down from the eye. Unless I run a line from the eye toward the outhaul end of the boom.

Are those attachment points on the boom free floating, or is there a way to secure them in place? If not, you might be able to add some hardware to the track they slide in, that could act as a stopper to hold them in place just aft of the cringle.

The good news is that even if you just use them as is, you'll be WAY ahead of where you were previously.

[US27inKS]

Originally Posted by Bene505

There's 2 lines for each reef. (Double line reefing?)

I don't think I'd trust a figure 8 knot. I read somewhere (maybe sailnet) about a better stopper knot that doesn't come undone, and converted all my figure 8s to it. Not sure of the name for it.

The bowline sounds the best. That and half hitches can't be beat IMHO.

That would be the double overhand knot. The problem with a figure 8 is that it will come untied from a stiff line without a load on it. If you keep tension on it then it will stay put, but then there are better knots for use under constant tension.

[Bene505]

Yes, it's the double overhand knot.



The figure 8 knot and the clove hitch are banned from my boat, and for the same reason. They don't stay in place under varying loads.

[Bene505]

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard

Are those attachment points on the boom free floating, or is there a way to secure them in place? If not, you might be able to add some hardware to the track they slide in, that could act as a stopper to hold them in place just aft of the cringle.

The good news is that even if you just use them as is, you'll be WAY ahead of where you were previously.

John, that is the case. I'll have to rig a line that will act like a (one sided) traveller.

Or I could use my favorite knot, the very adjustable taut-line hitch that stays in place after you adjust it. (Note it is sometimes call the midshipman's hitch but I've seen that same name on similar but NOT suitable knots. So beware if it uses that name. Better to simply refer to this one as the taut-line hitch) Note also that on some more slippery lines (poly lines), you'll need two of these in a row. The second one (further up the main line) helps the first one hold fast.

[geraldartman]

That's a tautline hitch. I have taught it to perhaps 300 young boys in my troop over the last 20 years. Required knot and would be able to put up real canvas tents and dining flies without it.

[Bene505]

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard

Are those attachment points on the boom free floating, or is there a way to secure them in place? If not, you might be able to add some hardware to the track they slide in, that could act as a stopper to hold them in place just aft of the cringle...

Great idea John. Thanks!!

[Bene505]

Originally Posted by geraldartman

That's a tautline hitch. I have taught it to perhaps 300 young boys in my troop over the last 20 years. Required knot and would be able to put up real canvas tents and dining flies without it.

Yes, it's been my favorite for maybe 30 years. I use it all the time.