reefing lines

[bradfalk]

hi

another question: I have a caliber 28; the front of the boom has jam-cleats through which the reefing lines run (3/8in). I have major difficulty releasing these lines- ie I can reef fine- but when trying to raise the sail again I can't let the lines out. Even when the sail is in down/on the boom and there isn't any tension on the lines I have trouble feeding the lines back out to length. Anyway, just wondering if anyone has any ideas. I'm considering trying smaller lines but wanted to see if someone had any suggestions before I spend the money/time trying that.

thanks,

brad

[sailingdog]

Put a strip of velcro tape on the boom (hook side) and then a tiny bit of velcro tape (loop side) around the tip of each jammer...so that when you pull them all the way up, they'll stick in that position until you release them.

[sailingfool]

SD has suggested a solution if the issue is that the cam levers catch on the released reefing line. Another alternative is to remove the cam levers completely if the reefing lines run through stoppers, as the cam levers are then not needed.

If the issue is friction in the turning blocks and stoppers situated on the cabintop, then I'd say such friction is common - and not an issue as long as it doesn't materially hinder raising the main when shaking out a reef. If you are using a winch for raising the main the friction may not matter. That you notice the friction if manually pulling the lines back after dropping a reefed main, well just don,t worry about it, you caqn leave the reefing line as is until you next raise the main.

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by bradfalk

hi

another question: I have a caliber 28; the front of the boom has jam-cleats through which the reefing lines run (3/8in). I have major difficulty releasing these lines- ie I can reef fine- but when trying to raise the sail again I can't let the lines out. Even when the sail is in down/on the boom and there isn't any tension on the lines I have trouble feeding the lines back out to length. Anyway, just wondering if anyone has any ideas. I'm considering trying smaller lines but wanted to see if someone had any suggestions before I spend the money/time trying that.

thanks,

brad

Do you mean that you are having difficulty releasing the jam cleats, or that you can release them but the line snags and pulls them closed again when you feed it out? If the latter, SD's suggestion might work.

If you are having difficulty releasing the jam cleats, usually the best thing is to first crank the reefing lines in a bit more, so that they will cause the jam cleats to open a bit. Do you have a small reefing winch on the boom, or at least a halyard winch on the mast to which you can lead the reefing lines and take in on them?

Once you get the jam cleats open somewhat in this way, you should be able to force them open the rest of the way with the handle.

[bradfalk]

I'll try it- thanks! My guess is that even 3/8in is too big since the jam cleats have basically no play (ie I can't even move them back and forth). I hate these jam cleats

[bradfalk]

Just saw the other posts- thanks. So- the cam levers/ jam cleats are basically always providing "squeeze" and grabbing the line-- even when the levers are back all the way there is still friction there. I actually have to reach in from the top of the boom past the pulley wheels to pull the line out (it only freely feeds vertically).

I don't have reefing winch- just my hands.

I would love to remove these things but they are the only stops for the line-

Thanks guys

Brad

[GentleBreeze]

Brad,
Have the same problem on my Tayana. I like the idea of the velcro. I have thought of using a "bungee" cord around the boom and cleat handles to hold them up so the lines will be more free to feed up with the sail, but I think the velcro may be a better solution.

[blt2ski]

I'd be willing to bet if you went to 1/4" or smaller line, the issue would go away! I use 3/16" line on my 30' boat, and I do not have issues with the built in jam cleats causing issues. Then again, I have my outhaul, and both reef lines running to the back top of the cabin. Great for quick reefs.
I have one line for the back clew area, and then use the cunning ham hook to do the tack end. Granted it requires someone to run forward and move the cunning ham hook, but once this is done, the main reefs in seconds, and I do not need two more lines for the tack to hold it down, or use the boom hooks or equal.
In the pic below, the left three lines coming back in the triple clutch, two white for reefs, and a smaller purple for the outhaul are all the size I use.



marty