Reefing Lines

[mestrezat]

I currently have a loose footed mainsail on my boat. I have it set up so the tack and clew can be tightened quickly for reefing.

Do I need to have the lines that run through the eyelets that run from the leach to the luff already installed and ready to go or install them once the sail is reefed? I'm not sure I want the lines swinging back and forth every time the sail is up. I do know that if I use the lines, I am only to tie them around the sail and never the boom. To much strain on the fabric.

[cal40john]

Racers don't put them in until the reef is in. I haven't put them in at all since the sail doesn't hang down in my way and it hasn't flapped around yet. I suppose in enough wind if it starts flopping around I'll add the sail ties.

John

[Tempest245]

Mestrezat,

I leave them out until I reef for the reason you stated

[klem]

Modern sails are built so that your reef points are there only to gather up the unused sail rather than help sail shape. Therefore, you don't need to have them in before you reef but you should put them in to keep the unused sail from filling with air and getting in the way. In addition, you save the danger of someone tying a reef point thinking it is a sail tie and ripping the sail the next time you raise it.

If you don't keep the reef points in, I recommend having the necessary number of lines ready with a stopper knot in the middle so you can quickly feed them through the grommet until the knot.

[GordMay]

The Reefing Ties are merely there to gather the reefed sail, and tidy thing ups. They could prevent thew gathered sail from billowing. They can be tied at your earliest CONVENIENCE.

[Bash]

I find that putting them in as a great way to kill a breeze, because it's usually just after you tidy the last one up that you need to shake the reef out.

For me, the decision to use reef ties is somewhat akin to the decision to make the bed. It's a lot more important if company comes over.

But slightly more useful than Flemishing a dock line.