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The route my single line reefing system takes is as follows: After an initial figure eight knot the line goes through bail (or a eye strap) and under the boom and up to a cringle on the clew of the sail. From there the line goes down the side it started on to a cheek block and heads forward guided by a several eye straps.
About a foot and a half or two feet from the goose neck it passes through a cheek block mounted on the boom at an angle and then goes up to a block mounted on a dog bone embedded in the luff clew. From there the line goes down and forward to a foot block mounted at the forward end of the mast.
Passing through the foot block ( a standup block would work as well) the line goes through a deck organizer and back to a rope clutch and winch.
Two important things about this system need to be noted.
- Except for passing under the boom prior to passing through the clew cringle, the line remains on the same side of the boom at all times. This is very different from the Harken system which requires the reefing line to change from one side of the boom to another before it goes back to the cockpit.
- After the line passes through the block in the luff cringle, to work properly, the line must pull down and forward before it reaches the foot block or stand up block on the deck.
My approach is to reefing is to heave to first and then let the boom out a little, lower the mainsail halyard to a marked position before pulling the reefing line. When it is tight I make any needed adjustments to the mainsail halyard before proceeding. This approach removes all the drama from reefing and allows crew to remain in the cockpit while reefing. Friction has not been a problem with this system.
The only modification I will make yet this fall or before sailing starts next spring is to add a fairlead close to the foot block at the base of the mast. I will do this because I have found that sometimes when the reefing lines are slack, the reefing line may come forward and wrap itself around the foot block. I do not think this problem would occur if I were using a standup block instead of a foot block.
I have provided two set of pictures: one set of pictures was taken with the sails furled. I thought it would be easier to show the path the line follows in this configuration. The green line is the second reef. The color logic is that green stands for green water. The other set of pictures shows the system with the sail up. The blue (for blue water) reefing line is the first reef.
I hope this explanation and these pictures are helpful to anyone considering a single reefing line system. There are several ways to get this job done but I have found this one most useful to me. The principle of fairness urges me to tell you that Tom Bixby at Rigging Only in Fairhaven, Mass suggested I run all the reef lines on the same side of the boom.
David Terrell, Scholarship II, #432
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This Old Boat
by Don Casey
Subtitled "turn a rundown fiberglass boat into a
first-class yacht on a shoestring budget," this book is the best
introduction I know boat maintenance for the new or prospective owner
of a "modern classic" sailboat. Starting with guidelines
for selecting a boat, Casey proceeds to fiberglass repairs, cabin and
deckwork, spars and rigging, boat equipment, woodwork, electrical,
plumbing, refrigeration, painting, canvas work and sails. All of this
is described in clear, simple terms perfect for the inexperienced.
This is the book that taught me fiberglass work. But don't let it
fool you; this book is appropriate for experienced boatowners, too.
I still refer to it.
Other books by Don Casey
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