Reefing wisdom needed

[Darrell Haskell]

We went out in some 20s gusting to 30+. Wanted to start out with a reefed main. I had never done this before with the in-mast furler. That is, I usually start out fully unfurled and reef at some point later. I tried to just pull the outhaul part way out while belaying the continuous furling line. But, it was so gusty that the main just bellied out such that I ended up with it fully unfurled in order to flatten it. Anyone have any tricks/secrets for doing this. It was a bear reefing after it was fully unfurled. I ended up with a jam I had to free up. It was grueling and a bit unnerving.

Darrell

[Kirport]

The reefing control clutches cannot be in an uncontrolled open position. Allow only a limited amount of the reefing control line out at a time

To reef if the sail is fully open, turn the bow to the wind so that the wind is at about 10 degrees off starboard. Open the port reefing control clutch and pull on the continuous loop from the starboard clutch with the starboard clutch locked. You will need to release some of the outhaul to allow for the reef.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 11, 2017, at 9:50 PM, Darrell Haskell <dhaske...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> We went out in some 20s gusting to 30+. Wanted to start out with a reefed main. I had never done this before with the in-mast furler. That is, I usually start out fully unfurled and reef at some point later. I tried to just pull the outhaul part way out while belaying the continuous furling line. But, it was so gusty that the main just bellied out such that I ended up with it fully unfurled in order to flatten it. Anyone have any tricks/secrets for doing this. It was a bear reefing after it was fully unfurled. I ended up with a jam I had to free up. It was grueling and a bit unnerving.
>
> Darrell
>

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[Darrell Haskell]

Thanks, Marvin. Much appreciated...

[Chris McDonnell]

Darrell, I have wrestled with the same issue.  Here is what works for me.  With the sail in the mast, pull the outhaul out several feet with the furling clutches open. Then, holding both furling lines tight, pull on the port line and slowly let out a few more feet of sail. Lock the clutches, tighten the outhaul.  Repeat until you have out what sail you are comfortable with.  Keeps the sail under control without sudden release. Chris

On Apr 11, 2017 10:50 PM, "Darrell Haskell" <dhaske...@gmail.com> wrote:

We went out in some 20s gusting to 30+.   Wanted to start out with a reefed main.  I had never done this before with the in-mast furler.  That is, I usually start out fully unfurled and reef at some point later.  I tried to just pull the outhaul part way out while belaying the continuous furling line.  But, it was so gusty that the main just bellied out such that I ended up with it fully unfurled in order to flatten it.  Anyone have any tricks/secrets for doing this.   It was a bear reefing after it was fully unfurled.  I ended up with a jam I had to free up.  It was grueling and a bit unnerving.

Darrell

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[David Everett]

Darrell,

I've used the method described by Chris for 4 years - works well. Always easier to let more sail out than get it back in.

Two other tips - always, if possible, furl or reef the main with the boom to port - this means it has the least resistance due to the direction of wrap around the furler. Also less chance of the battens getting stuck.

The other tip is that when fully unfurling, I "reef" back a couple of inches to be sure the leading edge of the lower luff is back in the in-mast guide - this prevents the frustration of trying to reef only to find the leading edge of the luff is stuck outside the mast opening, requiring a trip to the mast. I also think this takes a slight bit out of the 'belly' and gives a better main shape.

David (#62 - South Australia)

On Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 6:49:41 AM UTC+9:30, Chris McDonnell s/v "Even Keel" wrote:

Darrell, I have wrestled with the same issue.  Here is what works for me.  With the sail in the mast, pull the outhaul out several feet with the furling clutches open. Then, holding both furling lines tight, pull on the port line and slowly let out a few more feet of sail. Lock the clutches, tighten the outhaul.  Repeat until you have out what sail you are comfortable with.  Keeps the sail under control without sudden release. Chris

On Apr 11, 2017 10:50 PM, "Darrell Haskell" <dhaske...@gmail.com> wrote:

We went out in some 20s gusting to 30+.   Wanted to start out with a reefed main.  I had never done this before with the in-mast furler.  That is, I usually start out fully unfurled and reef at some point later.  I tried to just pull the outhaul part way out while belaying the continuous furling line.  But, it was so gusty that the main just bellied out such that I ended up with it fully unfurled in order to flatten it.  Anyone have any tricks/secrets for doing this.   It was a bear reefing after it was fully unfurled.  I ended up with a jam I had to free up.  It was grueling and a bit unnerving.

Darrell

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[Darrell Haskell]

Thanks for the advice.

Darrell