single handed main reefing pre-hoisting underway

[Herschel]

Recently had occasion to change my mind about the advisability of a reef in the mainsail after I got underway but before I had hoisted the sail. Not the most organized 20 minutes of my life. So, I thought it might be an interesting topic for a few folks. First, what I did and, then, my after thoughts on that. Finally, a request for better ideas and comments. I kept the engine running at a slow speed and endeavored to keep the boat headed into the wind. As the wind was quickening, I was not very successful at that. The boat would veer off when I went topside to find my reefing lines, tighten the reefing clew downhaul, and hook the reefing grommet/tack into the reefing hook. I did have the main sheet secured in its cam cleat and holding the boom in amidships. That kept the boom, and slightly unfurled main, from catching the wind and pushing me toward the sides as the boat veered away from the wind. It took longer than expected to find both sides of the three reefing lines in all the main sail cloth piled up on and around the boom and figure out just exactly the way I needed to make the tie of the reef knots. The process took the better part of 20 minutes before I finally got the reefed sail ready to hoist. Even then, I did get the aft most reefing lines tied incorrectly and had to redo them after the sail was partially raised. I was not impressed with my seamanship, I admit. I wondered afterwards, if I had been better off just anchoring and tending to the reefing rather than trying to do it underway. Or, if I had just put the engine in neutral and let the boat drift while I worked topside. There was moderate chop, but nothing that would have thrown me overboard. I did a search on this topic an found the following reference about a jiffy reefing system, which I will give considerable thought to installing, but for now and for others that face this occasional task, I would appreciate your stories and/or advice.
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... ed#p303959

[BOAT]

Your experience is pretty common - I too had problems reefing the main on 'boat' the first few times. It was not so much that 'boat' was turning but that I was getting knocked around by 6 foot swells that were very choppy. The wind in the jib is a huge nuisance when your trying to reef so now before I even try to reef the main I furl in the head sail completely - not sure if your doing that but it helps ALOT.

Then I quickly turn into the wind and drop the main as fast as I can all the way to the deck - I pull it down with my hands on the sail if I have to - the thing is I need to get all the sail down to the deck so that no part of the sail is trying to sail the boat. Then with the sail all on the deck I can bob around in the ocean without any care of my heading - I just sit there at the base of the mast and dig around in the mess of sail on the deck and find the reefing cringle and I hook it into the hook on the mast. Then I slide the sail in my fingers from the cringle to the end of the boom (sliding on my butt across the top of the cabin back into the cockpit) and in the cockpit I can secure the out-haul into that reefing hole at the other end of the sail and cleat it off.

Then I use the motor to drive into the wind and I pull up the main from the cockpit as usual. After it's up I reset the out-haul. It seems to work okay.

The best thing ever for reefing is an autopilot - that made reefing way easier too. Spend 1000 on an AP before you spend 1000 on a lazy jack - the AP helps a lot with reefing. If you have AP and still want lazy jack that's good too. I don't use lazy jack because I trailer the boat too much.

[jstyers]

I have taken the advice to reef early to heart and am able to knock it out in just a few minutes. I'll echo BOAT's words on the autopilot, makes it a simple matter to keep the boat headed into the wind. I installed the BWY single-line reefing system and while there are some downsides to it (extra line at the end of the boom when reefed that must be secured, considerable friction as the line works through the reefing points on the sail) it is still worth the time and expense to install in my opinion.
1. I furl the head sail, point the nose into the wind and use the autopilot/engine to keep it pointed there.
2. I then drop the main and pull the forward end of the reefing line tight, then tighten the aft end of the reefing line and secure the reefing line in a jam cleat at the end of the boom. I don't just pull the single reefing line all at once, I tighten the luff first, then the leech. I've found that by working the fore and aft of the sail individually I can avoid the "friction" I mentioned as a "downside" earlier.
3. Raise the main. I have noticed some difficulty getting the main raised fully after reefing if the leech (aft) cringle is too tight, even with the mainsheet slackened. If I can't get the main fully raised I'll loosen the reefing line at the leech a little, raise the main fully, then re-tighten.
4. With the main raised and the autopilot still keeping me pointed into the wind I tie the three reefing sail ties rather loosely to secure the baggy foot of the sail. I don't personally use reefing knots to secure them, I use the same knot I use to tie my shoes. I want to be able to pop those knots loose easily if I later decide to shake out the reef.

With the aid of the autopilot I can perform the whole procedure in just a couple minutes and never leave the cockpit except to secure the forward sail tie and/or fix any fouled lines or sail slugs.

[Herschel]

boat wrote

I slide the sail in my fingers from the cringle to the end of the boom (sliding on my butt across the top of the cabin back into the cockpit) and in the cockpit I can secure the out-haul into that reefing hole at the other end of the sail and cleat it off.

jstyers wrote re: use of jiffy system

I then drop the main and pull the forward end of the reefing line tight, then tighten the aft end of the reefing line and secure the reefing line in a jam cleat at the end of the boom. I don't just pull the single reefing line all at once, I tighten the luff first, then the leech. I've found that by working the fore and aft of the sail individually I can avoid the "friction" I mentioned as a "downside" earlier.

I hear you that the AP with the "jiffy" system makes reefing, in general, much easier. Setting those positives aside for the time being to deal with the equipment I do (or don't) have, I like the idea of sitting on the deck and working my way aft and the idea of just letting the boat "bob" about, if the waves are not too high to make that unsafe. This instance was pre-hoisting, so the "sit on the deck" and work your way aft plan makes sense. Thanks, boat. I like the idea of the "jiffy" system and jstyers' modified way of implementing it. I'll give that a try when I get the system and get it installed.

[BOAT]

I was so accustomed to walking around on the deck in a pitching ocean as a kid that I STUPIDLY thought I could do the same thing when I started taking 'boat' out in rough seas. BOY, was my old body in for a surprise when I started walking the pitching deck on 'boat' for the first time.

For one thing - 'boat' sits very high up and there are no low spots to put your feet like a traditional sailboat. I found myself literally getting thrown side to side as I tried to hang on to stuff - I would get tired. Then add to that: looking up the moving mast into the sun in a standing position to snap the kinks out of fouled halyards and the like and it's a recipe for sea sickness which then makes you even MORE tired! I realized "I'm not a kid anymore". So I started doing something different - I needed both my arms to work so I tried sitting down with one of my legs wrapped around the mast - it was GREAT! Not only did I now have two free arms to get work done but the "seat of the pants" movement under my butt totally eliminated all the unexpected motion to my brain - I was able to feel what way 'boat' was moving in real time instead of my brain trying to catch up with 'boat' using my legs. I guess the leg=brain connection slows down with age.

I did not care how much the boat bobbed around in that position - I have never ever had a worry or a concern that waves or swells would ever be an issue because 'boat' just seems to float like a big Chlorox bottle over everything the Pacific deals out: I had big waves hit us broadside that I though for sure would swamp over the deck but 'boat' just floats right over everything I run into - so for me it's a casual stress free position to take my time and rig sails or whatever - it might look unorthodox to the other sailors out there but for me - it works. I'm just too old now to 'walk the plank' anymore.

As for reefing, for me the thing is to get all the sail down so all the slugs are at the lowest position - the only thing that should be flopping in the wind is the headboard on top of the main. The headboard and the halyard will flop and snap and bang against the mast making a huge ruckus in the wind but just ignore it - sit there, take your time, and dig for the reefing cringle. Once you have it hook it up and slide down the boom keeping tension on the sail so it does not come out of the cringle. Then when you find the hole in the other end put the out-haul through there an cleat it. As sated above, don't tighten the out-haul till the main is back up. I always wait till the main is up to adjust the out-haul, even when not reefed.

I must admit I still LOVE to stand on the deck with my face in the wind - and when the seas are friendly I still do:
https://vimeo.com/155612681

[kurz]

On the last sailing trip around Elba/Corsica with my my friend showed me the following:

Do not reef the genoa! But just go on a
close-hauled course.
Let the motor OFF!

Fix the rudder (no AP needed!)

So now the boat rides a stable direction!

Now you lower the main and put all the reefing tings. Rais the main.

ready to sail!

Really works better than with motor and you dont need a second person / AP.


I also have the single reefing system from BWY. It does not work too good I think. Becouse you have to fiddle around at the end of the boom and pull the line. But in reefing conditions the boom just ist not stable. Not a good place to work and no good position for your face either.
So I think better would be to go with the single hand reefing line to the deck! But with the rotation mast maybe you will put some special hardware!

[Ixneigh]

Here's the procedure on my boat.
I typically take first reef when heeled past 25 degrees.
I bring the boat slightly into the wind and secure the helm with the helm lock I installed. The boat will sail herself. I might adjust the daggerboard a bit. Then I slack the main until it puffs and there's no tension in the sheet. I adjust the rudders if needed and go forward where I ease the halyard and pull the luff down to the first reef cringle and put it on the reef hook. The boat should be minding herself and maybe starting to head up a bit.
Now I hoist the halyard tight. Next I grab the line that runs forward along the boom and pull the first reef clew down tight. Now, I tie in the reef lines four of them, working my way back.
Now I've not had to do that in 6 foot seas but the wind does steady the boat. I can lean on the boom and sail.
The boat will also mind herself while I change jibs. The ticket is to know how to set her up. You can adjust the centerboard so she's pointing up enough the raise the sail. Pull it up and sheet the main in. She'll point up but won't tack on you. I haven't had much problem and I love that about the boat. None of my other ones would do that.
The oem reefing equipment is a bad joke. You need the block at the back end of the boom, and the line led forward, at least.
Ix

[sailboatmike]

One of my winter projects is single line reefing of the main, a simple job with a couple of blocks and some line, this means never having to leave the cockpit to reef, just take a step forward from the helm loosen the halyard from the clutch, pull the reefing line and cleat it in and then retention the main.

I would think around 25 to 30 seconds maximum.

OF course then there is the clean up work but that can be done at your leasure

[Herschel]

Ixneigh reports:

I bring the boat slightly into the wind and secure the helm with the helm lock I installed. The boat will sail herself. I might adjust the daggerboard a bit. Then I slack the main until it puffs and there's no tension in the sheet. I adjust the rudders if needed and go forward where I ease the halyard and pull the luff down to the first reef cringle and put it on the reef hook. The boat should be minding herself and maybe starting to head up a bit.

This gets me to thinking. Remember, at the time I tried to reef the main I had not hoisted any sails, yet. Would it work better had I actually unfurled just the jib first, sailed into a close hauled position, transitioned into a "heaved to" situation with the jib and rudders, and, then, calmly gone about putting my reef in the main while "heaved to" (sitting on my butt, working from fore to aft, as per "boat" ). I could have then hoisted the reefed main still in a "heaved to" position. Then I could have maneuvered out of "heave to" into normal sailing. What is the flaw here, guys?

[sailboatmike]

Hard to heave too with just the jib up, heaving too requires the sails to work against each other to create a neutral effect, if you have the jib up the boat will try and turn down wind, it would be better to get the main up first as that will make the boat want to round up into the wind

[yukonbob]

I also have the single reefing system from BWY. It does not work too good I think. Becouse you have to fiddle around at the end of the boom and pull the line. But in reefing conditions the boom just ist not stable. Not a good place to work and no good position for your face either.

I do as well and for the first time decided to start using it with great success. It doesn't do a great job of shaping the reefed sail, but a lot easier than screwing around looking for the main grommets. Pointed into the wind, dropped the sail until the main grommets were at the boom, tightened up the reefing line, threw some sail ties in and tightened up the halyard again. Takes 2 seconds to get the general shape then maybe another min to adjust. Tried it out this last weekend with the second deep reef Judy B put in 25knts at 15 degrees beating into 4 footers at 4 knts! I was completely amazed. Then I put the motor in gear (idling) and was able to maintain the same speed and point even higher making excellent headway. Don't know why I didn't do this earlier

[Ixneigh]

Every boats different. You may be able to reduce the jib and sheet in in tight, and put the rudders all the way over. Drop the board all the way too. It's possible the boat will almost stop and head up slightly. You'd have to play around with it.
Since I sail alone is imparrativeI find ways to get the boat to help me. And learn all her little tricks. Might take me years. I need to know, I mean really know, this stuff. This boat is more challenging to do that with then the others that deep keels and big rudders. I spend quite a bit of time experimenting with it.

Also, since my boat has skegs, my boats handling is different then stock. She tracks better but is slower to go about. I'm not sure how much these skegs help my boat to sail her self so well. I don't think too much actually.
Ix

[Herschel]

Hard to heave too with just the jib up, heaving too requires the sails to work against each other to create a neutral effect, if you have the jib up the boat will try and turn down wind, it would be better to get the main up first as that will make the boat want to round up into the wind

I hear you. So, you don't think, for example, that if I had the jib up close hauled on a starboard tack, came about, left the jib backing and put the rudders over to port, it would stay "heaved to"? I have never tried it, but just trying to think it through.

[Wind Chime]

We have a jiffy reefing (slab system) with the control line led to cockpit end of boom, so reef much like others have mentioned here. Just head upwind enough to take pressure off the main sails sail-slugs so the main will drop.

Only tips I can add are;
- we have added a down-haul line to the top slug and line led aft, to help bring the main sail down.
- we have the main halyard marked (with a felt marker) where the line length is when reefed. No need to guess how much halyard to let out to lower to reef point. Just Release jam cleat, let out halyard to mark on line, clamp tight halyard cleat, lower sail, tighten jiffy line (secures both the tack an clew) hall halyrad back in tight. Add safyey line around boom and through clew.