Third Reef Point with Single-Line Reefing

[Sabbatical II]

After weighing up all the pros and cons I have decided to fit single line reefing to my new boat. I think the standard arrangement is first reef loses 20% sail area; 2nd reef another 20% & for the 3rd reef, standard dual line reefing is used to lose the next 20%. I am presuming that this will mean a trip to the mast to hook on the tack point or do you guys just pull the sail down on the reefing line and leave it? I have never been to the third reef on a boat with single line reefing.

Greg

[Weyalan]

As a rule, you run your reefing lines in before you leave port. If you get to the stage of needing a 3rd reef, you don't want to be messing around trying to run your lines.

We have 3 reef points. As a general rule I just rune lines into #1 and #2, but if the forecast is heavy or if we are going offshore, then I'll run the #3 line in too.

[nigel1]

I have a line attached to the 3rd cringle at the leech, which goes to a turning block at the mast base, and back to cockpit. In theory, I dont need to make a trip to the mast to reef.

[colemj]

We use single line reefing and have 3 reefs, but we only rig for 2 reefs at any time - #1 and #2 when coastal cruising and #2 and #3 when offshore. I put a long reef line on the #1 single line reefing and move it to the #3 position before going offshore. It is very, very rare that you will need 3 reefs when day sailing and coastal cruising. Or you made a very, very bad decision on the weather...

Mark

[ADMPRTR]

How does single line reefing work when you have multiple reef points?

[perchance]

One line for each reef point

[ADMPRTR]

Originally Posted by perchance

One line for each reef point

Okay, thanks. I thought there was some magic way of getting a single line to serve multiple reef points and I couldn't figure out how that would work...it has been a long day so excuse me if it was dumb question...

[perchance]

There are no dumb questions only dumb answers.

[harlie]

Originally Posted by colemj

We use single line reefing and have 3 reefs, but we only rig for 2 reefs at any time - #1 and #2 when coastal cruising and #2 and #3 when offshore. I put a long reef line on the #1 single line reefing and move it to the #3 position before going offshore. It is very, very rare that you will need 3 reefs when day sailing and coastal cruising. Or you made a very, very bad decision on the weather...

Mark

We do the same. Reefing line for #1 and #3 is or course very long and attaches with snap shackles so its very easy and quick to change. #2 stays run for #2

[unbusted67]

A single line for the deeper reefs always gets hung up though doesn't it? I always worry about chafe too.

[harlie]

Originally Posted by unbusted67

A single line for the deeper reefs always gets hung up though doesn't it? I always worry about chafe too.

Never had a problem... Only thing worth mentioning is that hoisting the sail to full height the first time after you have had a reef (or worse - set both) there is noticeably more resistance from having to pull the reefing lines through their blocks as well.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by colemj

We use single line reefing and have 3 reefs, but we only rig for 2 reefs at any time - #1 and #2 when coastal cruising and #2 and #3 when offshore. I put a long reef line on the #1 single line reefing and move it to the #3 position before going offshore. It is very, very rare that you will need 3 reefs when day sailing and coastal cruising. Or you made a very, very bad decision on the weather...

Mark

Me too!

I can only manage two sets of purchase blocks in the boom.