Rigging Single Line Reefing

[svenskflicka]

Our new-to-us boat has a stack pack with no way to pass the clew side of the reefing line through to loop around the boom. Is it acceptable to simply tie a bowline to the clew cringle?

[svenskflicka]

A google search seems to indicate you need to also have a vertical component to the clew attachment. Any ideas? I guess I have to cut holes in the stack pack?

[Sailmonkey]

You need to have the clew reefing line tied to the boom. Stack packs normally have grommets positioned where the reefing line can pass through and tie around the boom.

[svenskflicka]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

You need to have the clew reefing line tied to the boom. Stack packs normally have grommets positioned where the reefing line can pass through and tie around the boom.

That's what we had on our last boat, but this one doesn't have that.

[Smokeys Kitchen]

If I understand you correctly, you want to tie the bowline directly from the sheave at the end of the boom to the reef cringle. This may work a bit, but I know on my boat, this angle would not allow the reef to come down close enough to the boom for a good fit.

I believe the reef line really does need to be fixed to the boom, up to the cringle, and back to the end boom sheave to make the best sail shape and get the best reef. Maybe put your own grommets into the stack pack to allow the lines to pass through?

You could use a hand grommet setting tool for this (like from Sailrite) and maybe get away without even removing the stack pack.

[cottonsail]

With single line reefing I was never able to get the clew tight enough. Piece of cake with 2 lines.

[caffel]

Consider adding pad eyes to the boom to terminate the clew reef lines (opposite their turning sheaves.)

CA

[billdre]

Originally Posted by caffel

Consider adding pad eyes to the boom to terminate the clew reef lines (opposite their turning sheaves.)

CA

+1 That's what I have on my boom. Pad eye to cringle down to sheave. Put it back far enough to create an aft pull on the sail.

[bensolomon]

Can you loosen the stack pack to tie a bowline around the boom to bring the clew of the reef cringle to the boom?


I

[Marathon1150]

Originally Posted by billdre

+1 That's what I have on my boom. Pad eye to cringle down to sheave. Put it back far enough to create an aft pull on the sail.

One more here with pad eye on the boom up to low friction ring attached to cringle, etc. But, I still prefer the double line reefing which we have on one of our boats.

[chasfgr]

I have single line reefing on the 2 lower mainsail reefs.
Both come through to the cockpit and the 1st is totally external as the boom originally was fitted for only two reefs, with separate lines to luff and horns .
The luff line requires far more winching in than leech. but even then takes about 35 seconds to put in a reef using cabin-top winches and clutches.
Designed for single-handed sailing, worked for 30 odd years, though I had to add cheek blocks to the boom, for the lines.

[BobLoucks]

Originally Posted by Smokeys Kitchen

If I understand you correctly, you want to tie the bowline directly from the sheave at the end of the boom to the reef cringle. This may work a bit, but I know on my boat, this angle would not allow the reef to come down close enough to the boom for a good fit.

I believe the reef line really does need to be fixed to the boom, up to the cringle, and back to the end boom sheave to make the best sail shape and get the best reef. Maybe put your own grommets into the stack pack to allow the lines to pass through?

You could use a hand grommet setting tool for this (like from Sailrite) and maybe get away without even removing the stack pack.

Agree

[svenskflicka]

Originally Posted by bensolomon

Can you loosen the stack pack to tie a bowline around the boom to bring the clew of the reef cringle to the boom?


I

The stack pack slides into the slot on the boom all of the way, so there is no access.

[svenskflicka]

Originally Posted by billdre

+1 That's what I have on my boom. Pad eye to cringle down to sheave. Put it back far enough to create an aft pull on the sail.

How does the reefing line get through the stackpack, that is my issue.

[svenskflicka]

Originally Posted by Smokeys Kitchen

If I understand you correctly, you want to tie the bowline directly from the sheave at the end of the boom to the reef cringle. This may work a bit, but I know on my boat, this angle would not allow the reef to come down close enough to the boom for a good fit.

I believe the reef line really does need to be fixed to the boom, up to the cringle, and back to the end boom sheave to make the best sail shape and get the best reef. Maybe put your own grommets into the stack pack to allow the lines to pass through?

You could use a hand grommet setting tool for this (like from Sailrite) and maybe get away without even removing the stack pack.

This seems to be the best solution, does anyone in the Stockholm area have the setting tool they could loan?