Mainsail

[KJD13]

Thanks Miker and others. I also have the same system for reefing the lines and cleating them off, as described in your reply, but this does not reduce the mainsail at the mast - hence my question about using the rams horns. I think that the option of removing the locking pin is not the best option (although I agree if it is to be used, a lanyard would be a definite "must") so there must be another way to reduce the mainsail at the mast, in order to truly (not partially) reef the main. If anyone reading this has any other ideas they would be most welcomed.
Kevin
Wayward Lady
Williamstown, Vic

[Dolphin]

Kevin that is the standard way of reefing.
Like Mike,
Sailing close hauled about 60 degrees from the wind on the Genoa,
1) Let the main sheet out so that the main is flapping.
2) I put the topping lift on the boom, well its on all the time, just to support the boom.
3) Lower the main halyard, pull the pin out of the track and let go 3 sail slugs, for the No 2 reef.
4) Hook the tack, the reefpoint on the luff of the sail over the horn at the gooseneck.
5) haul the halyard back up and tension it.
6) haul in the reef line and cleat it off, (mine is on the boom).
7) With 4 pieces of 6mm line I then take in all the slack sail and tie it around the foot of the sail. NOT THE BOOM!.
8) Sheet on and away you go.

[bearmcnally]

If and when you decide to put a reef in a main ! Most skippers know before hand what the weather and winds are going to do. It just doesn't happen in a split second you have time to put a reef in . I got taught it is easier to shack a reef out than to put one in . In other words do it before the shit hits the fan it's not "rocket science" And tie the loose sail off on the boom so it's not a bloody nuisance (not if loose footed ,tie it within itself ) On the odd occasion my might just have to leave the cockpit and adventure north and work around the mast !
Bear

[storm petrel]

I have tried a variety of different ways of securing the tack when reefing ( including using a line run back to the cockpit), but after a lot of trial and error I came back to the simplest: I have a piece if line (8mm spectra) permanently attached to the gooseneck that I use to secure the tack when reefing. I can tie it in about 15 seconds and it means I can get away without sliding any slugs out, having to worry about the security of a line/pulley leading back to the cockpit or having the sail flapping off the hook. Mind you, I usually have crew aboard so have the luxury of having someone in the cockpit to help.

[Shaun]

Ive been waiting for this discussion for ages....

How to reef a junk rig
1) uncleat throat halyard, allow halyard to run through fingers until the required sail size is reached.
2) re-cleat.

If dropping more than one panel, you also need to do the same with the gaff halyard.

cheers

[Phillip]

Bear has the idea,

When you set off for the day your sails should be rigged for the worst you are going to expect during the day!

You can EASILY shake out a reef or change to a larger head sail in calmer conditions than if you have to put the reef in or change a headsail [no comments from those with that funny roller stuff up front please] with rising weather conditions.

Of course if you are sailing longer than, say 9 hours, you will have checked the weather and the last thing you want is to be sailing into rough weather, but conditions may get better and that will allow you to increase your sail area, which is easy to do.

Look, Top Hats will handle very rough seas, but you and I cannot for long periods and that is what you have to consider when sailing offshore. If its too rough, just wait! No reefing required!!!


PS No real rain here, yet!

[Dolphin]

If I get what you're saying, I can't agree I'm sorry.

You have to set the sails to the prevailing conditions at the time.
If I sail to the harbour in the morning the wind is light, even a light land breeze and I'll have everything up. As the Noreaster builds start reefing down so that the boat is comfortable.
With Jiffy or slab reefing you should only take 3 to 5 minutes to complete it. In that time your speed will only drop a few fractions.

Often the weather forecasts are wrong or the wind may come in later. You would waste a lot of time.

If you set off in the morning with everything reefed you'd never get there until next week.

[storm petrel]

I am with you on this one Greg. I like to keep the boat moving at it's optimum speed for the conditions. But I do follow the old rule of, "if you start to think about reefing it is time to do it." Again I have the luxury of usually having crew on board and still being nimble enough to get around the deck quickly in a seaway.

Mark
Storm Petrel

[Tales]

John (K)

Send me a PM. You can have my old main cover - needs a small repair.

I made up a single line reefing system (three reefs) similar to what others have described above.

Means you don't have to leave the cockpit to reef.

Takes about 20 to 40 seconds to put in a reef. Tidy up the lines, another minute.

Also made up a plate to hold the sail slugs see pic.

Let me know if you want further details.

Cheers,

Tom

[Sombrero]

Sombrero has all controls leading back to the cockpit. Having read the posts to date, I figure that it is mostly about how far up the track the slot is cut away to get the main out of the track. On Sombrero there is just enough room to feed the main out when the pin is removed and therefore the slugs stay in the track during reefing. I have three reefs, but have the first two set up at the boom end all the time. When I sail, if it looks like a reef day I connect the cunnningham hook to a shackle (permanently in position) on the first tack point and I can control this from the cockpit as I pull in the outboard control. If I have to go to a second reef it is necessary to have a second line to pull the sail down the mast track. I can overcome this problem by going straight into the second reef with the same process as for one reef. In moderate to rough conditions I find Sombrero flies along with the number 2 set and two reefs in the main. If it goes pear shaped , and me with NO FURLER! I can just drop the headsail until conditions abate.
Bear, I began sailing a Sabot when I was 10 and I have had a similar sailing career to you. I turn 70 next month. I have had numerous boats but I have been in love with Top Hats ever since, at the age of 16 I watched a professional boatbuilder in Brighton building two of the first cold moulded ones for sailing in Port Phillip Bay. From memory this would have been the late 1950"s. Your Post offering advice to those new to sailing is very commendable.
Cheers, John.S "Sombrero"
P.S KJD, when you next row past my boat, on your way to "Wayward Lady" check the reefing set up on "Sombrero".