Trouble with reefing system

[Benz]

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

Okay, here's a curve ball to add to this. What do folks do in terms of leech cord adjustment when reefing, gaffers included? Since with a pinhead main, even if you have a leech cord that can be adjusted both at the tack & clew/said reef points. It still means either going to the mast to make an adjustment, or fighting with the clew & boom, up close & personal like. And there are definitely times when said cord needs tuning after a reef, non? As a fluttering leech in high winds can destroy a sail.
Or am I forgetting something?

I've never touched the leech cord on my sail. There are three short battens that seem to control leech flutter, and as long as they're in I've never had to worry about it. My sailmaker must have been all right....

Ben
zartmancruising dot com

[Dr. D]

Fixed -- I think. Well, at least in the slip with no wind.....

OK, I went through the comments thought through the setup. Then, we gave a new procedure a try and it appears to work.

To raise the main:
1) Loosen the boom vang and the mainsheet.
2) Release the cleats on the reefing lines and make sure the lines are free to run.
3) Raise main, but every few feets double check the reefing lines are free running.
4) With main now up, adjust all lines.

To lower the main:
1) Loosen the boom vang and the mainsheet.
2) Release the cleats on the reefing lines and make sure the lines are free to run.
3) Slowly lower the main, every few feet grab the reefing lines and take in any slack.
4) With main now down, adjust all lines.

Seems to work.