weekender reef point measurements???

[Ken]

All,

Well, I'm almost to the point of popping open my polysail kit box that has been patiently waiting in the corner of my shop for the past couple of months. Can some of you please share what the location of the reef points are for a weekender? First point = ?? inches above the foot.......Second reef point = ??? above the foot. Also how many grommets have you installed for each of the points... three across? 4? 5? I would assume the second would have fewer.

Any advice/input would sure be appreciated.

Thanks, Ken

[Tim Diebert]

If you can hang in there for a few days, I can measure mine up for you. It is my sencond main sail and my second set of reef points and I have found the measuremnets I am using to have worked out very well.

I just had the mast up this mornign to take pix for Florins clew outhaul...but it is all buttoned up right now and the cover is one the boat. I will measure sometime by the weekend....if you still need it.

I have gotta get to work...

[Ken]

I'm holding my breath - but not to rush you. When you get to it would be great!

Ken

[capt jake]

First point; about this high!! Second point, about here! HAr Har

I believe my only reef point is about 24" above the boom. This measurement isn't really crucial anyway. Mine works fine with only one, if I were out in anything more...............I might really dent the rubrails with my fingers! :shock: :shock:

[Ken]

Thanks Jake,

I think I would relate to using only a single reef too. Anything more than single reef and one should really be ashore, at the window of the marina bar, with a second or third drink in hand.

[Barry Pyeatt]

I would specify reef points at 33% and 50% of area. Then head for the beach or a secure anchorage to wait it out.

[Ken]

Ok, Barry.............but I'm not an engineer nor do I have the formulas for figuring out the sf of the sails and where that may put my reef points.... I'm either not that bright (most likely :roll: ) or just plain lazy. So as not to have to reinvent this 'wheel' I was hoping for a measurement form the foor of the mainsail. But if worse comes to worse................. guess I'll have to get out the old geometry book for reference.....

[Barry Pyeatt]

Ok Ken,

There is no hard and fast rule for placement of the reefing points.

33% is approx. 28 inches above the foot.

50% is approx. 48 inches above the foot

I would place the reefing lines at approx. 16" intervals.

I would install reinforcement patches at the tack and clew with stress tapes that lead more or less to the Center of Effort for each level of reefing.

I would also run patches on either side of the main at each reefing point and place an eyelet at each point that you can knot a reefing line into. double the line and insert it thru the eyelet and knot it on either side so it is firmly inplace. (Shoe laces make good reefing ties.) These need to be long enough that you can tie them around the bundled up sail when reefed.

I would install grommets at the tack and clew that are heavily reinforced that I could use to pull down the sail to tie it off. Then install a form of "Jiffy reefing" system with two cords such as Phil Gowens did on "Aloha."

I think Capt. Jake has done the same thing with his" Fire Escape."

Good luck!

[Ken]

Now THAT'S more like it ! Thanks so much for the response, Barry. Thank you for sharing that with me as I am close to opening the Polysail box within a week. I wanted to put in the reefpoints initially and not add them later. Appreciate all the detail you provided in you post. I also want you to know I really appreciate you taking your time to respond in that detail .... much, much thanks,

Ken

[Barry Pyeatt]

No problem. I may not be good... but I'm slow! :oops:

[Tim Diebert]

I took some measurements and images for reef points.

Have a look here...on the bottom of the page.

Hope this helps.

hytp://www.timtone.com/tt/ttphotos/PhotosSailingClewOuthaul.htm

[tdrown]

I believe I made mine (I only made on set of points) at 3' above the foot..

[Barry Pyeatt]

Tim,

I can't pull up your site with the link. It just reads error. :?

[capt jake]

Ah heck; if Barry and/or Joel are up for a cruise; we can measure them while under way! Joel, I know that your wife really wants to go out. (And we REALLY want to see you finish! ).

Thursday or Friday this week? I guess I better move some dirt so that I can get the shop door open though.

[Tim Diebert]

Sorry....I see my problem.....this one should work.

http://www.timtone.com/tt/ttphotos/PhotosSailingClewOuthaul.htm

[Fintan Murphy]

Ken,

I also put mine about 33"' above the boom, which was where the first of the original grommets was in the polytarp material. I placed another grommet at the back, nad smaller grommets on the line of ducktape I placed horizontally between the two. The reef points were about 18" apart.

I didn't reply before as I hadn't launched and did not want to suggest something that may not be right.

I also have a staysail, which balances the reefed mainsail.

You can probably wee hte reefing points on my (reefed) mainsail, linked in the launching post.

[capt jake]

Ken, I looked at them today; they also are about 32-33" up.

BTW, here are a few pictures of sailing today with Admiral Barry!

[attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin]

[Ken]

Great pics Jake - now to get the motivation to open the box of sails and start the process. I just returned from a week in the San Juans - without my weekender - which I was hoping to have done by then but..... Anyway, thanks to everyone who posted here about the reef points etc. I'll let you know how they all turn out.

Ken