Jib reefing

[Knut]

I have a 120% jib on my Balboa 20 that I would like to be able to reef. I have installed myself and used slab reefing for the mainsail on the Weekender, but for the jib, I have previously either used a roller reefing or simply changed the jib for a smaller one.

Now I would like to start out by reefing a couple of steps, before going to a smaller jib. This way I can reduce the work involved in shortening sail and get two steps of reduction before changing to a third step in form of a smaller and stronger fabric sail.

Can anyone direct me to information on how to modify an existing jib for some sort of slab reefing, or may be provide the details on the forum?

Help will be much appreciated. These days internet search on the subject only comes up with roller reefing or sail change.

Knut

[Craig]

Knut, assuming Dacron sail cloth you can add reefing points to the existing sail. Install large brass eyes at the luff and leach slightly ( 1" or so) above a row of eyelets spaced about 16" apart in a straight line across the sail horizontal to the foot. Use 2 reinforcing patches of the same material on both sides of the sail at these points, 4' square is about right. Marino in the Sailmakers Apprentice says to sew in the reefing lines for maximum strength, don't just knot on both sides. He doesn't address jib reefing directly but the process is the same as for a mains'l. This will give you a bit of drag but you wanted a quick way to reduce sail and this is the price. I think 20% of the sail area would be good for the first reef and reduce to 40 % of the total with the second row. After that it is the smaller jib or go home. You can always take the sail to a local loft and have them put the reefs in for you. No idea on the cost, sorry. The Sailmakers Apprentice is available through this site and I highly recommend it. I made my sails from a Sailrite kit so I know something of the effort. I am planning on adding more sails and will use this book and the skills learned from Sailrite to do the job.

[Tim Diebert]

I too used this book to teach myself how to put reef sets into my new Main. A great book for sure. I bought mine from Duckworks or Sail Supply...can't remember which. I didn't know Frank sold books here....?

Funny you should bring this up. I have been pondering the whole bigger headsail thing for a while and just today was going through the book and saw a drawing of a reefed jib or lapper sized sail.

I am not keen on a longer bowsprit or a cutter rig, though I thought I would like to go lapper...but then changing to a jib when needed is tough (if not impossible)on these little boats (though your Balboa wont have that problem.) Then figured on a 'permanent' lapper with provisions for at least one reef.

Craigs advice sounds like the way to go (same thinking I had anyway).

The only thing that crossed my mind when thinking this out was that you will most likely need a different first fairlead location from the stock clew to the reefed clew points. Maybe you already have a fancy adjustable track....but for me or a Weekender (whatever)I would just figure on the two places needed and knock them in there permanent.

My first stage in the 'extra cloth' department is going to be a nice light weight tops'l first. Figuring out how I am going to do this ought to be the trick eh?

[Craig]

Tim I have been studying the tops'l issue as you know. You mentioned small is a problem with our boats and that is very true. I have about decided that the tops'l is not very practical if it must be set and struck evry time the main is lowered or the gaff dropped. Have you put any thought into a self furler for a top? I am thinking along the lines of brailing lines that would gather and secure the entire sail plus the jack yard. This could go up to the top mast or down to the gaff. Your thoughts...

[Tim Diebert]

not very practical if it must be set and struck evry time the main is lowered or the gaff dropped.

Well Craig....I actually had not considered any other alternative. Hell, I am still at the point of how to hoist the thing. Where is there room for more gear at the head of my mast...?LOL

Your thoughts...

A furling system of some sort would be wonderful. As I say, I had not even considered it.

OK....I have a plan.....you figure it out....and then tell me how to do it. 8)

I can always use two or three more lines on my boat. It impresses the girls....

I have this sneaking hunch that the best breezes on those irritating light days are just a tops'l length away from my sails. And besides, my hero says it is a very useful sail.

Ray, the zipper idea just is too disco sounding. You are just filled with all these nifty little gems. Bonneted headsails.....who'da thunk it?

I figure if you are going to reef an already not so big headsail....a little uneven air flow ain't gonna hurt anyones feelings. At that point things should be interesting enough.

[Craig]

Tim you obviously need a top mast. My realestate at the top is built out too. I'll post some photos.

[capt jake]

Another 'rolling a reefer' thread? :roll: :roll: LOL Flashback..........

[Craig]

Yep Jake, fraid so. A roller reefed tops'l. You do remember the old roller curtians everyone had back in the 40s and 50s? Same idea. A hollow tube with a BIG spring in it. You pull the sail down to the gaff charging the spring and it rolls right back up when the sheet is released. Quite simple really. Now where is tha spring catalogue... 8)