tophatyachts.com

Hi, My Toppie has 2 reefing points in the mainsail and I am thinking of adding another one. A former owner has stated that he believed that the 2nd of these points is where the 3rd usually is - i.e. he combined the first 1 & 2 at the 2nd point. I need to confirm the exact places where the reefing points should be located. Does anyone have a sailplan with these noted?
cheers,
Kevin
Wayward Lady, a Mk111
Williamstown, Vic

Apart from the original sail layout, you'll have to factor in a few variables. If your boom is on a track and the sail can't drop right down to it, you will have limited space to collect the reefed main, or have to let lugs out and tie off your sail.. If your boom is fixed and you can collect more reefed sail, there's more flexibility. Also depends on full or floating battens as they take up furling space. My new main I put in one reefing point higher than usual. If there's still too much main up, I'll take it all down!

Cheers, RodM

The main provides very little drive on a Top Hat. It is about balance. I have a set up like yours, with a deep second reef. I find that this is enough. I reef at about 16 knots and put a second reef in at over 20 knots. I am not sure that three reefing points on such a small 'balancing' sail will gain you much. What do others think?

I had a third reef put in the main after getting caught in Bass Strait in 30 knots a few years ago.
Have found it very handy over 25 knots when used in conjunction with the storm jib and going to weather.
To save removing slugs I made up a fitting to retain them in the gate area.
Cheers,
Tom

Wouldn't a trisail made with heavier sail cloth be a better way to go in over 30 knots? My 2nd reef position is silmiar to your third. I think the head of my main ends about 3ft above the spreaders with the second reef in.

It was very economical to put in a 3rd reef, less than $200 and I was fitting the single line reefing anyway. It takes less than a minute to go from 2nd to 3rd reef single handed and I don't even leave the cockpit.
Have not used a trisail so can't comment on sailing capabilities but I guess you have to put away the main and connect the trisail even if you put in a separate track and leave it bagged at the base of the mast.
Cheers,
Tom

I've got a 3 reef main and love it. When it's time to put the third reef in I wouldn't like to be setting up a tri sail, and besides between 10 minutes to 2 hours you'll usually want to shake it out again. (or pull it down and put the kettle on )

I have a cruising Genoa and a No. 2 jib. I find that the boat balances well with the cruising Genoa and full main up to 20k. From 20k to 25k I put 1 reef in. Above 25k I go to No 2 and 1 reef. I keep the main on as tight as possible and play the traveller. I also play the angles. In a big gust I will pinch whilst still keeping up boat speed. I have sailed on the wind in 35k with this configuration and it works very well. I do have pre-bend in my mast. I do not have an adjustable back stay.

By the way I contacted www.fareastsails.com based in Hong Kong and have received a brilliant quote for fully battened main and racing genoa. All triple stitched with draft lines, abrasion patches, batten pockets, lugs etc. using the best cloths. All up delivered (without battens) USD$1500. It seems that this is the company a lot Australian lofts get to manufacture sails and then charge 100% more.

Has anyone experienced them?

Further to above in strong winds it is vital that all your shrouds are taught. There should be very little movement in the leeward shrouds when on the wind in 25k. If your leeward shrouds are saggy in 15k you need to tighten them. Generally you would need to tighten 4 turns on the uppers and 2 turns on both lowers on both sides. Then see how it looks. It may need more. Saggy shrouds cause shroud failure at the turnbuckle.

That sounds a little tight for a Top Hat. I would have thought the leeward shrouds would just begin to go slack at about 15-18 knots.(I tension mine with a Loo's gauge to the tension recommended for the rig size and that is what I observe). I would be interested to see what others use...