[C320-list] single line reefing

[MARK STEVENS via C320-list]

My aft reefing line came apart and now have to attach new line inside boom. Owner manual instructions and schematic are confusing. Fairly new Catalina owner here so would appreciate suggestions. Also - need new jib halyard. Manual says 115 ft x 2. That for spare halyard too?
Thanks for any feedback.
Mark Stevens

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Mark-
If the aft line broke it will be tough to replace. However, if the aft line was/is still intact, you can pull on the line and pull the double block car that is inside the boom all the way to the rear of the boom ..... and actually pull it slightly out of the open end of the boom (with the reef line still intact). At that point, you can run a new aft line without needing to use a "tape line".  Before you pull on the aft line, make sure to first secure the line at end of the front of the boom so you don't accidently pull it into the boom when you pull at the aft end and shift the internal block rearward (don't ask how I know). Also, when you pull the aft line, first secure both loose ends (the line that connect to the aft sail reef cringle and the stop knot at the end of the boom) until you have the block car sitting just outside of the open boom end. 
If your aft line broke, I think you need to somehow fish the block car out of the aft end of the boom ..... trying to grab the car inside the boom will be tough (unless someone has a trick). 
Dave Hupe
1994 C320 #32

[Roger Sullivan via C320-list]

Just re-did mine with separate tack and clew reefing lines going to their
own winch. Much more positive and reassuring than cranking away on the one
line.

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

An interesting debate on these boats.

The sheaves on my reefing lines are frozen, and I don't really care. In the seven years I have owned my 320, through a fair amount of bad weather, I have never reefed the main.

First off, the boat sails really well under jib only. When I'm just out cruising, I often use the jib only at maybe 13 knots. I get five knots of speed and perfect comfort on the boat, with minimal heeling. While I can't point like a racer, I can get to maybe 50 degrees,

In really strong winds and sizeable seas, I raise the full main and a little bit of jib. The jib may come out a bit more as I test the limits. But the full main keeps the boat heeling at a constant angle and usually avoids the see-saw motion that so upsets my wheel autopilot.

The lesson is that the jib is the power sail, but the main can steady the boat in rough conditions. There are times when main only can give you a slower but comfortable ride. I know that allows me to go on deck to deal with downing the main in rough conditions.

What do other 320 owners think?

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



________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Roger Sullivan via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 11:03 PM
To: C320...@catalina320.com <C320...@catalina320.com>
Cc: Roger Sullivan <sullivan...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] single line reefing

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Agreed Jack!

Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Sun, Oct 26, 2025 at 11:53 PM, Jack Brennan via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: An interesting debate on these boats.

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Roger ..... I agree ..... a lot of friction in the original single line system. 

Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Sun, Oct 26, 2025 at 11:05 PM, Roger Sullivan via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: Just re-did mine with separate tack and clew reefing lines going to their

[MARK STEVENS via C320-list]

Point well taken. Never needed it all season (Canadian sailor here :() but like to know it is a tool I have if needed!
Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 27, 2025, at 9:21 AM, Dave Hupe via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> Agreed Jack!

[WindSwept via C320-list]

Jack, what size jib do you have?

Larry
WindSwept - 246

> On Oct 26, 2025, at 10:54 PM, Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> An interesting debate on these boats.

[Louis Friedman via C320-list]

agree. I've gotten comfortable this year sailing jib only in higher winds.
Still have not rigged the reefing lines since we bought the boat.

On Mon, Oct 27, 2025 at 9:20 AM Dave Hupe via C320-list <

--
Louis Friedman, DO, FACP
Woodbridge Medical Associates
www.woodbridgemed.com
732-634-0036

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

I have a new Rolly Tasker 130 from National Sail. Nice sail at a decent price.

I used to have a Bristol 30, one of those old boats with a wine glass-shaped hull, and it punished the hell out of you if your main sail trim was even slightly out of kilter. The wheel would be a wrestling match. So reefing the main was a must in strong winds.

I was pleasantly surprised with how well balanced the 320 is. The old rules on reefing didn't seem to apply, unless you were a racer and wanted to squeeze the last few tenths of a knot out of the boat. Good thing, too, because I live in Florida and have a huge Bimini. It's damn near impossible to reach the boom and reef in the traditional way.

As older, short-term cruisers, our goal is five knots and a comfortable motion on the boat. When I get the boat going at 6.5 or 7 knots, my wife usually suggests that jib-only is the correct sail trim.

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





________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of WindSwept via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 9:35 AM
To: C320...@catalina320.com <C320...@catalina320.com>
Cc: WindSwept <wind...@stx.rr.com>

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Exactly my story too Jack ..... bimini obstruction, wife, "comfortable" speed and all!

Dave Hupe
1994 C320 #32

[WindSwept via C320-list]

Thanks. As a racer in his twilight years I want to cruise more. I have a big Bimini too and wife who likes a comfortable ride so I will give the headsail only a try. I have a 135 UK on now and a 110 and 155. In the past I have tried main only but in lightish air and the normal chop this did not seem to work that well.

> On Oct 27, 2025, at 12:09 PM, Dave Hupe via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
>  Exactly my story too Jack ..... bimini obstruction, wife, "comfortable" speed and all!

[wdoc1--- via C320-list]

I have dynema for the single line reefing with a polyester cover spliced over the part that comes back to the cockpit. With this and a low-friction Antal block at the luff end cringle it has worked well on the rare occasions I've needed to reef the main (link from Practial Sailor below). 
Larry, if you decide to part with your 155 Genoa please let me know.
Bill McConnellDIVERSION #714 
Adding a Polyester Cover to Dyneema Single Braid

Practical Sailorhttps://www.practical-sailor.com › ... › Running Rigging

[Roger Sullivan via C320-list]

Here in SF Bay it blows 20-25 knots almost every afternoon in Summer. 20
knots is too much for the full mainsail single-handed (unless you are a
masochist or racing). I spend most of the Summer with it on the first reef
above 15 knots true, and second reef => 25 knots true. I am
constantly reefing and cranking that winch. IMHO the single line system is
fine for milder conditions, but in windy conditions the separate line
reefing is easier to crank in, gets a better sail shape, and is more
reassuring.
Roger

[WindSwept via C320-list]

I don’t expect to be parting with the 155 anytime soon.

> On Oct 27, 2025, at 6:15 PM, wdoc1--- via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
>  I have dynema for the single line reefing with a polyester cover spliced over the part that comes back to the cockpit. With this and a low-friction Antal block at the luff end cringle it has worked well on the rare occasions I've needed to reef the main (link from Practial Sailor below).

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

Now here's a question:

Does anyone have an idea of how to modify the boom so that reefing and adjusting the outhaul are easier? I know I always feel guilty about having non-functional systems on my boat.

I once pulled the interior sheaves at the rear of the boom to the point where I could lube them, but it didn't seem to make a lot of difference.

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



________________________________

From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Roger Sullivan via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>

Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 7:23 PM

To: C320...@catalina320.com <C320...@catalina320.com>
Cc: Roger Sullivan <sullivan...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] single line reefing

[Chris White via C320-list]

I removed the reefing line interior sheaves in the boom, you don't need them. I have a first and second reef, all lead back to the cockpit. It works well. Here in the UK it is necessary to reef once the wind goes over 15knots, due to wind over tide issues. Plus better control.If the any of the sheaves get stuck solid, you can carefully tap them out to clean and lubricate. Be careful, they are all on one shaft.
Chris WhiteDandy, 1997 Catalina 320Poole, UK

[Martin Rosenberg via C320-list]

Many years ago I replaced the double ended block in the boom but I can't
remember where I got it.
I'll keep looking and post it if I get lucky.
Martin Rosenberg