IMPROVING SINGLE-LINE REEFING

Martin Watts explains how to reduce the friction on the reefing lines of newer yachts

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The trend in recent years is for newer yachts to have smaller just-overlapping jibs, even non-overlapping self-tacking jibs, with the mainsail area increased in compensation. Since the introduction of jib furling gear, the general initial response to an increase in wind strength has been to pull a few wraps in on the jib. Now, though, on newer yachts the response to an increase in wind speed switches to reefing the mainsail, and quite often the small jib is not furled until three reefs have been put into the mainsail.

Single-line reefing systems are therefore now the norm on newer yachts. However, having one line running from the base of the mast, up to a luff reefing cringle, then back down to the boom, through the boom, then up to a leech reefing cringle and finally down and tied off at the boom has one basic problem – friction. So much friction at the luff can make it almost impossible to pull the leech cringle out in order to tighten the foot and flatten the sail. Alternative systems include pulleys on sliders in the boom, but here we look at what can be done to improve the basic system.