Reefing rigging/setup

[Andy B]

I hope I can explain this question well--Could I simplify the reefing set up this way:  Take a line, put a stopper knot or ball on the end, run the line through the reefing grommet down to the sprit and reefing hardware?

 

Background:  I currently have no reefing hardware.  I have the CS-20, so no cabin in the way, and I rarely sail alone, so I have a helper to reef or unreef.  To reef I unhook the snap connecting the sprit to the clew and move it to the reef point (adjusting halyard and downhaul in the process).  However, on the water with heavier winds the sail and sprit are a handful, and some way to pull down the sail is helpful. 

 

The plans call for a loop of line going from the sprit, under the sail, up the sail and through the grommet, then back down to the sprit to connect to the reefing hardware.  Is that loop really needed?  If what I need is just something to pull down the sail, why not just have one line going up to the grommet?  In detail, for the main (sprit on starboard side), the stopper would be on the port side of the grommet.  The line goes through the grommet and down the starboard side of the sail, where it goes down to the sprit and through the cheek block and cam cleat.  It seems to me this would be just as easy to use and a lot faster to rig up to sail (the line could be left in the sail and sail bag).

 

Am I missing anything with this idea?

[R Jones]

Andy, I'm reefing in the way you propose.  Never tested it in heavy weather but it seems fine.  One hidden benefit is that the mizzen boom doesn't move forward and foul the main sail.

[Andy B]

Thanks for the photo.  Yes, the "hidden benefit" is important.  I was reefed and going downwind (loose sprit) and to my chagrin the mizzen sprit caught the main sheet when tacking.  Scary, and that's part of changing my reefing setup.  

 

What is your hardware on the sprit that leads the line to the camcleat?  Just a bullseye, or something different?

[R Jones]

I used a Ronstan Shock Block tied through a hole drilled in the boom.  You could use just about any block you have laying around. The reefing line in the photo is larger than necessary.  I've switched to smaller stuff which looks better and works just as well.