The never-ending project to fill my hole in the ocean while bailing it out

Reefing Setup Options

Description

During the spring 2004 refitting, one of my projects before my extended cruise up the coast of Maine was to add reefing to "Chip Ahoy's" main sail. I began with some research for the best method. I wanted the reefing line to lead back into the cockpit as part of my all-lines-led-aft goal.

I found a couple more examples of how-to-do-it, this one from Sailright Enterprises.

And this one from Harken, which I most closely adopted and adapted.

Harken has two great examples now; one a basic layout of a reefing system for a 22' to 28' boat [click here] and the other more detailed [click here].  I chose its #430 method with some adaptation.

A view of how "Chip Ahoy's" mast is rigged for reefing.

The stern-end of the boom with reefing line.

Under sail.

Reefing line led aft to the cockpit.

A view from the starboard side of the mast and boom.

Note:  to make it run more smoothly, the following year I replaced the 3/8" line with 1/4".