Re: Original Manual for 7.60 Attached / Reefing

Posted by Ben Hagar on
URL: http://kelt-sailboat-forum.30.s1.nabble.com/Original-Manual-for-7-60-Attached-tp5347215p5471792.html

Dave,

A couple thoughts-

First, if the wind is such that you need to reef the main, then you definitely don't want to be using the genoa; you would be definitely out of balance with a 150 up front and a reefed main in back.  

Even if you try to depower that by roller furling, its shape will be quite poor once it gets more than 25% rolled up; much better to be using the working jib, which by itself is better suited to sailing with a reefed main, and if you have to furl it some in a real blow, is still a bit more efficient than an genoa rolled up 75% of the way.

Second, I am a little confused by your description of how you routed your reefing line.  My reefing line is always in.  From the rear of the boom, the rope comes out, goes up to the large grommet (cringle), and back down where it is tied around the boom with a bowline.  With this arrangement, after you drop the sail with the halyard, hook the leech to the gooseneck hook, and retighten the halyard, you can then tighten that reefing line, which has the effect of pulling that first reefing cringle both downward, and rearward, essentially serving the purpose of an outhaul.  I find that it helps to use the winch on the mast to pull that really tight, before latching the clutch.  It is a good idea to further secure that grommet to the boom with another line to protect against the clutch at the front of the boom slipping.

Lastly, for the lines or sailties that you use to gather the excess sail at the boom, don't be so aggressive that those bear any stress from the sail- they should only bundle what is loose, not hold it down to the boom against the force of the wind.  I am told that is a likely way to tear the sail.

Your topping lift should be loose when sailing of course, but if you have to reef while underway, you may want to temporarily tighten it up to prevent the boom from dropping into the cockpit when you lower the halyard.

Ben