Reefing Lines

[rosatte]

Good day lads and ladies I have a question about my reefing lines they all run back to the cockpit so reefing can be done from safety of cockpit but the lines that are used to tie up the extra sail hanging off the boom one has to go up on deck to do this so kinda defeats the purpose of having reefing lines led aft. Is there any way of dealing with this other than leaving bottom of sail just hanging off boom Cheers and thanks for any imput

[Alberg30Shill]

A stack pack to replace your mainsail canvas cover on your boom would solve the problem.

[barnakiel]

The bunt can be left unsecured for a time but you want it up eventually as it blocks your visibility range under the boom. In heavy going the bunt may also catch a wave in a wipeout and this is good-bye to your reef tack cringle.

One way out is to have lazy-jacks. Yahooooo!

The other way is to ... bite the lip, go on the deck, and LOOSELY tie the bunt up with webbing sail-ties.

I actually quite like this part as it gives me clear view of the sail and how it is set in the new configuration. This much said our boom is only 3 ft above the deck and only 11 ft long. On a bigger boat the story may be quite different. Hence, LAZYJACKS.

Cheers,
b.

[silversailor]

Originally Posted by Alberg30Shill

A stack pack to replace your mainsail canvas cover on your boom would solve the problem.

All the stack pack would do is cover up the sail hanging below the boom.

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

The other way is to ... bite the lip, go on the deck, and LOOSELY tie the bunt up with webbing sail-ties.

If you have a loose-footed main make sure you tie the ties only around the sail and resist the temptation to tie them around the boom. Doing the latter is an excellent way to shred your sail.

I make a judgement call regarding tying up a single reefed sail, depending on sea-state and how gusty it is. If in doubt, I tie it up.

[JPA Cate]

Our boom bag incorporates lazy jacks. The upper attachment for the lazy jacks is about 1/2 way out the spreaders from the mast. This keeps the "mouth" of the bag open, and ready to "swallow" the bunt of the reefed sail.

Ann

[Alberg30Shill]

Originally Posted by silversailor

All the stack pack would do is cover up the sail hanging below the boom.

No, a stack pack keeps the sail sitting atop the boom.

[barnakiel]

Yep. It does the job.

b.

[roverhi]

I've got a full batten main with three reef points. Reef in sequence and don't bother with bundling the loose sail. It does hang down but other than blocking vision under the boom doesn't cause any problems. Have gone out in 40 knot winds without tieing off the loose sail. Don't know if that would work if the sail is not full batten.

Doesn't matter whether sail is loose footed or slugs, the bunt lines should not go around the boom. Only exception is if you have a bolt rope attachment of the sail to the boom. In that case, the ties should be very loose and take no down force on the sail foot.

[aussiesailorboy]

Boom furl - if you have the $$

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Alberg30Shill

No, a stack pack keeps the sail sitting atop the boom.

Quite right, and I should have mentioned that. It is really nice to have the bunt all contained.

Ann

[double u]

as securing the leach-grommet of the reef with an extra line around the boom considerably calms the mind one probably has to leave the cockpit anyway...

[jmackay]

When I got a new main I never put them back on. No problem and the main looks cleaner. It still has the grommets and I can use sail ties if the sail is in the way when fully reefed. It makes shaking out the reef much easier, I always seemed to miss one of the reef lines and it doesn't seem to collect any more water than it did when tied up.

[steve77]

I will freely admit that I did not know that the reefed portion of the sail was called a "bunt". Always willing to soak up knowledge from others!

Cheers!

Steve

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by steve77

I will freely admit that I did not know that the reefed portion of the sail was called a "bunt". Always willing to soak up knowledge from others!

Cheers!

Steve

And the short lines through the points across the sail are called "nettles" according to British heritage friends.

And IMO, like real nettles, they should be shunned and never touched!

Jim