Single Point Line for Each Reef Point?

kelseydo · Post by **kelseydo** » Sat May 28, 2011 7:20 am

I'm sure this has been addressed before, but don''t find anything in the archives. I'm a newbie and single hand 99% of the time, so am rigging my new main with a separate single point line for each of the two reef points. I was not satisfied with with the two point system, one line fore and the aft line on the boom, that came with the previous main when I got the X. Is there a better, preferred, or easier method than running separate lines for each point? Until I find an additional clutch that matches my existing ones, is there any reason I can not run both reefing lines through a single clutch?

Thanks, this site is great,
Dan

Ixneigh · Post by **Ixneigh** » Sat May 28, 2011 2:46 pm

I don't see any reason you cannot except you will have to remove one line and insert the other. That might be ok until you found an additional clutch. My reefing is done from the mast to avoid a lot of lines on deck. The M main has a single deep reef that works well once I installed the reefing hardware and additional ties. I used a cleat instead of a clutch. Cleats are lower profile. You can see my setup on YouTube. Username lastlionmonday

c130king · Post by **c130king** » Sat May 28, 2011 3:12 pm

Dan,

If I understand you...you have a single reef on your sail but you use separate lines for the reefing cringle on the luff and a separate one for the leach. Thus you have two lines coming back to your cockpit. And you are asking if you can reef your sail with a single line.

Yes. Many of us have single-line reefing led back to the cockpit. In simplistic terms the line runs from the clutch on the port side forward cockpit alongside the hatch through a cheek block to turn towards the mast, then through a deck-mounted turning block to turn the line up alongside the mast to the forward cringle. Through the cringle and down the other side to a turning block mounted on the mast (starboard side) in my case. Then it runs along the starboard side of the boom to a turning block near the end of the boom. From there up and through the aft cringle and down the other side where it is secured to a small cleat.

Pull on the one line and it pulls both cringles down simultaneously.

Reefing line is on the port side of hatch and mast.

Great reefed sailing.

Cheers,
Jim
Sailing on König
Sailing on König YouTube Channel

Phil M · Post by **Phil M** » Sat May 28, 2011 11:53 pm

Ixneigh wrote:I don't see any reason you cannot except you will have to remove one line and insert the other. That might be ok until you found an additional clutch. My reefing is done from the mast to avoid a lot of lines on deck. The M main has a single deep reef that works well once I installed the reefing hardware and additional ties. I used a cleat instead of a clutch. Cleats are lower profile. You can see my setup on YouTube. Username lastlionmonday

But which Youtube video? You have many.

Phil M

Berber Boy · Post by **Berber Boy** » Sun May 29, 2011 12:38 am

Dear Dan,

I've played around a little with this but currently I use a single reefing line with a Flat snap hook I can move to Reef # 2 cringle on the main leach if I need to. It runs forward along the boom down to a mast foot block and then back to the cockpit via a deck organiser , rope jammer and then to the winch. I use a mastgate (BWY $20) that allows all my mainsail sliders to drop as low as possible and this allows me to slip the luff reefing cringles #1 0r #2 on to the permanent reefing ring at the gooseneck. It does mean a quick trip to the mast to change but it gives me much better reefing shape to the main. The alternative is to run the single line from the leech through #1 Luff reefing cringle and then down to the block and use a Cunningham line hooked to the second luff reefing cringle to pull it down with the line brought back to the cockpit by similar means.

Good luck.

Dave

kelseydo · Post by **kelseydo** » Sun May 29, 2011 5:18 am

Thanks all for the feedback. Got everything installed and rigged yesterday with a separate line for each reef point. Both lines running through a single clutch seems to work OK in the driveway, may be a different story on a pitching deck. A mast gate is next; a must for proper sail shape. The rain here is driving me nuts, every weekend, when did I move to Seattle?
Dan

Relackson · Post by **Relackson** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:01 pm

Hi All

Great site - heaps of info. I'm an Aussie who really appreciates being able to tap into all the expertise you blokes provide.

I have a 2008 26M. Can someone please describe what a mast gate is and how it is used? A photo would be great.

Again, many thanks for sharing all your knowledge.

Stan

Uncle Jim · Post by **Uncle Jim** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 5:38 pm

A Mast Gate is a device used to close the opening in the mast where the bolt rope is inserted. When you switch to sail slugs you close this so the slugs don't fall out when the main is lowered. Here's a link to one in the Mod section: http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1086

u12fly · Post by **u12fly** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:36 pm

To simplify the rigging lines on the reefing points, I have a single line attached from the forward boom, through the luff reefing cringle back down to the boom and through a pulley to the aft boom, then another pulley to the leech reefing cringle and finally to the last pulley and a cleat. This puts the reefing line on the boom and I dont have additional lines going down the mast and wrapping around back to the cockpit.

Chris.

kelseydo · Post by **kelseydo** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 7:24 am

Chris,
I used your configuration last year with the older main having 1 reef point. I found it OK, but was not happy trying to stow the extra line on the boom when reefing alone with a mountain changing breeze. My new main has two reef points each with a separate line running a more traditional path to the cockpit. I've only had to reef to the first point a couple times so far, but am very happy with the set up. I mentioned earlier that the two reef lines share a single clutch and now that I've used it a couple times am pleased with the arrangement. The lines are different colors (solid red for deep reef and white with red for the mid-point) and the 1/2 inch clutch opens up enough to let one 1/4 line move past the other without binding.
Dan

u12fly · Post by **u12fly** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 7:45 am

Dan: When I upgrade my old sail, in a few more years... I'm going to have the dual reef points put in. For now I have the single reefing point, so the amount of line on my boom is not an issue. I like the idea you have of a single clutch with two ropes. Smart

Chris.

gianpaolo · Post by **gianpaolo** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 9:53 am

so hard for me to translate from english into my simple mind and figure out how this single reefing line is conceived, could any of you post for me a simple drawing? I thanks in advance

Gianpaolo

u12fly · Post by **u12fly** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:14 am

This image gives you the basics, except you will see pulleys "on the sail" but more typical these are just grommet holes in the sail which the rope goes through from one side to the other.

http://www.zsparsuk.com/slrboom.htm

Chris.

gianpaolo · Post by **gianpaolo** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:42 am

That was just enlightening!

I could even print it.

Thank you Chris

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Single Point Line for Each Reef Point?

Single Point Line for Each Reef Point?

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