No more single line reefing

[delevi]

I wanted to post this because several people have asked about my reefing setup and the latest, until now, that I used was single line. The setup just became too frustrating due to the inability to get proper tension on the reefing clew. The tack always sets first and then the line just binds, leaving about 6" of clew above the mast, making for a drafty sail and keeping the boom lower (not good when you have a dodger) since you then can't tack.

Soooo.... here is what I did:
Cut the line so the reefing lines only control the reef tacks. Cut my 8:1 outhaul line and put in a snap hook and bowline on the other end. Both clew reef lines terminate at the horn cleat on port and a block starboard with a bowline at the end of the line to keep it from slippng out of the block when not reefed and to attach the othaul hook when reefing. To reef, I use the original single-line reefing line to get the tack in place. Then, I take the clew reef line and pull it in, taking several wraps on the horn cleat of the excess line. When it's close, I detach the snap hook from the outhaul and attach to the reef line. Now I can finish the job with 8:1 power from the outhaul aft arrangement. Hey, that makes one flat mainsail! Only drawback is having to reach for the boom. A bit of extra effort, but I figure if you have to reef, no sense in having a drafty sail... sort of defeats the purpose. If anyone is interested in pics, let me know and I'll post.

Leon

[MacShales]

Leon:

Just finishing off my winter mod's and was contemplating the same reefing issues on my wee boot. I rigged my outhaul inside the boom and I have a similar single line reefing system. I thought that adding single blocks to the reef points and relocating my cheek blook closer to the outhaul, thru-boom block would help stretch the foot of the sail. I understand what you've tried to do but a photo would help.

Sorry to hear about the forestay failure but thankful you caught it.
Could the failure have been caused by some bending moment from the anchor-point. I have a Harken furler with an extension toggle on it so that I have freedom of movement both fore&aft and abeam.

Cheers, Brian

[mikelinmon]

Hi all,

The single line reefing is wonderful if;

the line must run aft to clew end of reef cringle, up to a little block sewn/tied to the reef cringle then fwd to tack end with direct tie to the tack cringle. This is a must if you want the reef to pull tight. Results in two to one purchase at the clew and a direct one to one at tack. Also needed are good quality roller blocks. This is tried and true setup we have used on many of our customers boats. If you have single line reefing set up the more conventional way, change it to this and you don't even need new parts, no mo money needed!

Mike Inmon

[delevi]

Mike,

That makes a lot of sense. My setup was wrong. I just didn't see the point in running the line back and forth along the boom, but I suppose if the clew engages first and the tack connection terminates vs. line feeding through both sides, the reefing line will continue to tighten the reef clew like an outhaul even when the reefing tack is all the way at the slug stop. Thanks for the idea.

Leon

[bastonjock]

mike could you post any pictures?im about to add reefing lines to mine.

[Frank C]

Leon, I think your new 2-line reefing system makes the most sense. Our local SF Bay sailmaker, Pineapple Sails, wrote-up his opinion of single-line reefing, excerpted below. You'll note that his opinion is specific as to the sail loads and sail construction. In summary:

• A good single-line reefing rig, one that properly loads, trims and protects the mailsail, is so complex it's not worth the rigging time.
• Every single-line reefing rig I've ever seen leaves so much draped spaghetti when the sail is down that I just don't want to deal with it.

SINGLE LINE REEFING SYSTEM
I would like to discuss the single line reefing system as a separate subject. My biggest problem is that one cannot establish luff tension, thereby reducing the load on the luff sliders, before placing a load on the reef clew line. This will often cause the bottom several luff sliders to start tearing out of the luff of the sail.

My second problem is that these 'systems' are sold under the notion that they are 'simple.' They are NOT simple. That is partially due to the fact that the loads in a reefed sail are not simple. The load coming out of the reef clew is very much greater than the load out of the reef tack. (If you look closely you will notice that the size of the reef clew patch is greater, and with more layers, than the reef tack patch.) It is difficult to have a single line carry a large load in one end and a small load in another end...not impossible, just difficult ...

[Zoran]

Leon,

Can you please post the pictures, I am about to do something with my reefing and i am not sure one line or 2 line reefing system.

Thank you, Zoran

[delevi]

I decided to use the single line system that Mike Inmon suggested. This will be for the deep reef. For the first reef, I will keep the modified, 2-line system described earlier. It will be easy to switch back to two-line if I don't like it.

Zoran,
I'll be sailing Friday/Sat. so I'll take some pics and post.

Leon

[Frank C]

Harken's Tech Corner


Single Line Reefing




2-Line Reefing

[Hamin' X]

Good illustrations, Frank. However, if you look at the first diagram, you will see that the reefing line passes through the reef tack and then goes along the boom and to the clue tack. Mike's point was that this "normal" system results in a 2-to-1 purchase on the tack and 1-to-1 on the clew. Since the clew must tension the leech and the foot and the tack only the luff, it is better to reverse this system. Run the line down the boom to a 2-to-1 at the clew and finish with a direct connect at the reef tack. Much better sail shape can be maintained this way. It does result in 2 lines running down the boom, however.

Rich---Hamin' X---N7ZH

[Catigale]

Am I having a brain cramp ?? I only see 1:1 on both the tack and clew on the single line diagram???

[delevi]

Both are 2:1 with the grommets acting as moving blocks. Mike's system has 2:1 on the clew and 1:1 on the tack, which really needs no purchase since you finish off by winching the main halyard. More importantly than the purchase is the fact that with Mike's system, the initial pull is on the reefing clew and the tension can continue, even though the tack is fully down. With the sail luffing and no load on the sheet & vang, getting the clew tight shouldn't be a problem. It is the traditional system that causes the line to bind at the tack which is the first point of effort, thus not allowing proper adjustment to the clew.

Interestingly enough, I read about single line reefing in this month's issue of Sail Magazine which describes the traditional system and a modified system allowing for better sail shape-essentially describing Mike's setup.

I now have this setup on my boat for the 2nd reef. First reef will use 2-line. Will post pics and comments after testing it out. Don't expect to be reefing this weekend, so the comments may come later. The one known downside as Frank points out.... lots of spaghtetti hanging off the boom.

Cheers,
L.

[Catigale]

Eureka! I saw them as the same, but now I see the 2:1 indeed. That 1:1 and 2:1 doesnt apply to the single line diagram, but to Mikes layout.

[Hamin' X]

Cat: Look closely at the traditional single line illustration. The reefing line passes through the tack and back to a block on the mast. This results in a 2:11. It then goes down the boom, through a block and terminats at the clew, giving a 1:1 on the clew.

[Catigale]

Isnt it going through the clew and then terminating on the other side of the boom??