[C320-list] Tangled up in blue (reefing line)

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

After years of neglect, I finally got around to fixing my single-line reefing system.

I could barely budge it with my winch. The outhaul also would move only a short distance. This only sporadically bothered me because I'm not a racer, and sail combinations without reefing the main are numerous on the 320. Still ...

I removed the rear sheaves by loosening the lines and using a screwdriver to pry the sheaves bar free. (Careful not to drop them ...) The reefing system has a double block in the middle of the boom. Mine was jammed in place. I took a boat hook, slipped it through the gap at the bottom of the rear boom cap and banged away at the block a few times.

This loosened it up enough that I could crank the reefing line with the winch and free up some movement. Still, it was hung up on the outhaul, which was stuck somewhere. Eventually, I just cut the outhaul line at the front of the boom and hoped for the best.

Eventually, I pulled the double block all the way to the rear of the boom. The problem was the manufacturer had installed a retrieval line through the block that was hopelessly tangled up in it, the reefing line and the outhaul line. I cut all that loose, pushed the block back into the boom and re-assembled the sheaves and lines. I also used a fish tape to pull a new outhaul through.

Miraculously, nothing was hung up anymore, although I still don't know where the section outhaul with the SS cable spliced on the end is.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

It's is possible to pull the reef system's inside double block out of the rear of the boom without pulling the rear sheaves out. The block  will come out of the gap at the bottom of the rear boom cap. Just tighten the rear section of the reef line while being careful to make sure all the loose ends of the reef line (front and rear) are tied off so they don't get pulled inside the boom (don't ask how I know). It will come to the end of the boom and you can pull it out of the opening. 
Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Fri, Jun 5, 2026 at 5:56 PM, Jack Brennan via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: After years of neglect, I finally got around to fixing my single-line reefing system.