Suggestions on shaking out a reef

[Tanley]

Small craft advisory today and we've yet to be out in the 25kts that the forecast called for. Started out with the 2nd reef and it turned out to be overkill.

To shake it out, we started the engine and turned into the wind (had been sailing close hauled). Is there a better way to do this that doesn't involve stalling the sails? I wouldn't try to raise the sails in heavy winds w/o being in irons, but if the main's already 2/3 of the way up...

The reefing setup is horrible by the way; single line jiffy reefing through the boom which always requires several trips back and forth between the tack and clew. Probably took 2-3 minutes to get the reef out. On the list of things to change this off season.

What a great day though. 1st year with the boat, and from our experience Fall sailing is looking to be the best.

[ChuckA]

I was out single handed on my P-28 today, and encountered the same situation. Here is what I did. I set the autopilot on a slight upwind course, just above a reach. I trimmed the jib to the course, which kept the boat moving, and eased the main until it luffed. I released the reef line on the boom, then went forward to the mast to release the reefing hook and hoist the main. Returning to the cockpit, I trimmed the main and continued sailing.

Here are some photos from my sail today. The WWII Liberty ship John W Brown was out cruising on Narragansett Bay.
Liberty Ship John W Brown on Narragansett Bay

[Tempest]

Tanley,

I imagine that you also has a jib out and not a genoa? If your boat
heaves-to well, you could heave-to (with the jib backed and the helm over) then ease the mainsheet and or traveler until the boom is pointing into the wind....
with the boat stopped and the motion more settled you should be able to undo a reef or two and raise the main. Then release the jib and keep sailing.

[Faster]

Either of the above methods can work well... if you're alone then heaving to is probably the quicker, more comfortable way to do it.

We usually sail on under jib (on autopilot) while my wife handles the halyard, sheet and vang while I'm at the mast freeing the reefing lines. Singlehanded I think it makes more sense to have the halyard at the mast too, then the reefing can be dealt with from one location by one person.

[St Anna]

Originally Posted by Faster

Either of the above methods can work well... if you're alone then heaving to is probably the quicker, more comfortable way to do it.

We usually sail on under jib (on autopilot) while my wife handles the halyard, sheet and vang while I'm at the mast freeing the reefing lines. Singlehanded I think it makes more sense to have the halyard at the mast too, then the reefing can be dealt with from one location by one person.

I agree of course with what you are saying;

It obviously is quicker to have more than 1 person working the sails but I think it is safer (aka good seamanship) to rig as if you are sailing solo , meaning that you do not need a second person to help with the sail handling.

[SVAuspicious]

It also depends on how fast your boat is. Downwind, if the apparent wind is low enough, you can often stay on course with the autopilot and just grind the main up to shake the reef. That's usually what I do.

[Tanley]

Thanks everyone, I'll give heaving-to a shot, didn't think of that. Too windy to try today, needed the reef.

Tempest, it's a 140 RF Genoa. Was out at about the 110 mark

[Tempest]

Hi Tanley,

So, Practicing heaving-to in varying conditions is good, so you know how your particular boat behaves. I use it all the time..even for a quick lunch, rather than anchoring..! If you heave-to on a starboard tack..then you may retain some privilege. Saves dropping all the sails and the anchor..if you just want to take a break for awhile.

I will usually roll my furler up to the point where it's in front of the mast...this way, when it's backed I'm not chafing the sail or putting stress on the spreaders..or shrouds.....then heave-to and deal with the main.

Every boat will behave differently....if there's a current you may have to adjust the rudder position. I did it today on the Hudson River..

[TractorJohn]

sometimes by myself I'll heave to for reefing and shaking out a reef
with boom out out over the water it's somewhat a pain and the cloth tends to be pinned on shrouds, but it is doable and relatively calm (no flogging or wild motions)

[DwayneSpeer]

Originally Posted by Tanley

Thanks everyone, I'll give heaving-to a shot, didn't think of that. Too windy to try today, needed the reef.

Tempest, it's a 140 RF Genoa. Was out at about the 110 mark

If's it too windy to heave to then you don't know how to do it properly. The whole concept was developed by sailors who needed to settle their boats during high winds. Try again.