Sleeve luff reefing

[JeffM]

Just back from a weekend solo on Narragansett Bay--more about which later. Just one burning question right now: how do you get the best sail shape when reefing sleeve luff sails? I found that, sailing alone, even a 10kt was too much without reefing. I had to reef several times last season also, and have never been too happy with the sail shape. The main problem seems to be bagging at the luff. so that the sail bulges there. The snotter cannot make it flat, though cranking the mast a half-turn further helps. Where should the reefing snotter loop be when reefed? on the forward side if the mast? a little further around so it doesn't unravel when the the sheets are let way out? How can I roll the sail around the mast tightly enough so it doesn't loosen up under way? I haven't yet tried reefing using the extra mast step, and I'm a little reluctant to do so if it means sacrificing one option for balancing the helm. Also, it's a darn sight more time and effort moving the mast than taking in and shaking out a reef.

[Rob Blackburn]

It can't be done in my opinion. I have tried. Too embarrassing. Looks like a Bolger....

http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/Expeditions/PhotoAlbum159.html

This is our solution. Back to the sailmaker and zipper inserted.

Rob

[Gordy Hill]

Jeff, I wrapped my main tightly around the mast and moved the mizzen to the center mast step and the boat sailed wonderfully! There will always be a trade off between the sleeve and sail track luffs. I feel the sleeve luff is much quicker and easier to rig, and my personal opinion is that I got a much cleaner airfoil and could point a bit closer and go to windward a bit better.

I've been in really heavy weather with just the mizzen and never considered spilling the sail. The boat was extreemly stable and was a delight when a number of reefed Sea Pearls wern't having a good time at all!

Actually, I'd consider going out in just about any storm that's not named.....ok, maybe not quite that confident, but you should try it.

[Gordy Hill]

Jeff, I wrapped my main tightly around the mast and moved the mizzen to the center mast step and the boat sailed wonderfully! There will always be a trade off between the sleeve and sail track luffs. I feel the sleeve luff is much quicker and easier to rig, and my personal opinion is that I got a much cleaner airfoil and could point a bit closer and go to windward a bit better.

I've been in really heavy weather with just the mizzen and never considered spilling the sail. The boat was extreemly stable and was a delight when a number of reefed Sea Pearls wern't having a good time at all!

Actually, I'd consider going out in just about any storm that's not named.....ok, maybe not quite that confident, but you should try it.

[Rob Blackburn]

We have usually just put the mizzen in the middle hole but that is not practical out in big water as the wind comes up. Down or off the wind is simple, just roll up the main and leave the mizzen in the back hole.

If I had my time over I would go to the effort of making the masts out of carbon fibre to drastically reduce their weight and make it easier to man handle.

This is assuming you are sailing in places you can't go ashore and reconfigure or you don't have a couple of gorrillas on board to help you...

Rob

[Gordy Hill]

Rob,

I found tapered fiberglass poles at a surplus store. They'd been cut with a hack saw to about 9 feet and were just the right diameter to go into the lower aluminium mast sections. They weighed a fraction of the weight of the lower sections. I've been told they were antennas from cell towers.

[JeffM]

Thanks, guys. I plan to try moving the mast my next windy trip. With my nifty new steppers, I might even try it afloat.

[Joe Nelson CS#35]

Any pics of your nifty new steppers?

Check the height of the downhaul cleat on your mast...When I stepped into the 3rd hole I found that mine was too low and the mast would not go all the way down into its hole on the keel batten.

[JeffM]

Joe, have a look at my "help with mast stepping" on this forum for close-ups, and "adventure" on the main forum for the steppers in place. As for the reefing step, I not only made sure my mizzen downhaul would clear, but reconfigured my main so it would, too -- even with the mast stepper (which is about 9" tall) in place.