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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

What size lines for reefing?

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/09/2011 : 08:31:39

Big winds predicted for next week

but I have yet to buy lines for main sail reefing.

The parts manual has the lengths and diameters for the larger grommets - but not the 3 center grommets. Anyone remember what they use for the center grommets?

1989 C25 TR/WK, #5822
1973 McVay Minuet 19
1975 Jester 12
1981 C25 SR/SK, #2428
1981 C22 SR/SK,
Tanzer 16
Sunfish

"There is nothing, absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." Kenneth Grahame

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2011 : 09:21:43

The middle grommets are just to keep things neat and tidy, not to really take a strain. Mine are 5/16.

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Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2011 : 09:28:49

If you're referring to the small grommets in the sail horizontally between the tack grommet and clew grommet there shouldn't be much tension on those lines. Use a small line through those grommets, those lines are just for gathering the reefed part of the sail and tying it to the boom. I used small line, knotted it on each side of the grommet to keep it in the sail, can't remember the length but enough to leave about a foot on each side of the sail to reach and tie under the boom.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2011 : 10:44:44

Easy to see how rarely we reef.

Gusts exceeding 30 mph predicted later this week.

Thanks for the info and tips!

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Novi
1st Mate

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Canada
59 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2011 : 12:00:24

Just make sure not to tie them around the boom very tightly - it's really easy to rip a big hole in the middle of the main because there is usually very little reinforcement around those grommets. They are there reduce flapping of the loose foot and not actually "reef" the sail at all. All of the tension needs to be on the reefed clew and tack. I learned this the hard way earlier this summer :-(

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2011 : 12:24:25

If your mainsail is loose-footed, they shouldn't be tied around the boom. They should be tied under the foot of the sail, but not under the boom.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2011 : 13:15:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 If your mainsail is loose-footed, they shouldn't be tied around the boom. They should be tied under the foot of the sail, but not under the boom.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Yes, in fact it is loose footed. After reading your post it makes perfect sense. Simply gathering the bottom of the sail above the boom will put even less strain on it.

Edited by - OJ on 10/09/2011 13:17:05

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5352 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2011 : 18:49:08

Reef early and often, its easier to undo a reef than to get one in when the wind starts to howl and the whole boat is in motion!
This weekend, my son and I had 12-15s, so we put a reef in the main & ran the jib in and out with the furler. We maintained a 12-15 degree heel at 4.8-5.2 kts beating to windward on a 15 mile leg. He told me that he hasn't done so much work having fun in a while, but is ready for more next weekend.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2011 : 19:36:12

I've never used the reef ties.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2011 : 20:03:24

Ours are probably 5/16", possibly 1/4", in any case, fairly light lines

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2011 : 20:34:51

For the C250 I use 5/16" for the reef line, and 1/4" for the tie-off lines. Our lightweight C250s seem to get blown around a little more than the C25's, so we use the first reef a lot. I just rigged a second reef this year. Never used the second reef yet - it's there for an emergency if the motor fails or cavitates too much in a heavy blow. We'd use the genoa first, but have the 2nd reef to balance the jib if it produces too much lee helm.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2011 : 08:28:44

5/16" for the tack and clew reefing lines and 1/4" for the smaller lines in the middle of the sail. For those, I'll tie a knot in the line on each side of the sail and let them hang down about 12-15" on each side.

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sfsmith
Navigator

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USA
123 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2011 : 14:15:29

I use 1/4" for the reefing lines, one fore and one aft, and 1/4" shock cord for the tie lines, with a knot and about 12" of cord on either side of the sail. The shock cord keeps it tidy but has considerable elasticity and doesn't stress the sail. The foot of the main has a bolt rope, so the reef tie lines go under the boom.

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2011 : 19:18:13

I like the shock cord idea. Does anyone else here use it?

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2011 : 18:28:49

Thank you again for all of the valuable advice! I never knew the center holes are not designed to have a strain put on them.

FWIW, for the clew and tack I went with 5/16th line for handling comfort. I ordered enough for single line reefing - back to the cockpit.

WM's selection of dacron line is extremely lacking!

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2011 : 19:31:11

Check out Milwaukee Rigging on Ebay. Good line vendor.

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KeziCat
1st Mate

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USA
28 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2011 : 18:26:39

RhythmDoctor,

We've been using bungee ties for years. We pick them up at wal-mart for about $3 for a pack of ten. They come in different sizes but we use the ones that were made to fasten tarpaulins to temporary outdoor shelter. Like at the flee market. Each is about six inches long, looped and tied inside a plastic ball on one end. We leave them on the reef points during the season. Loop on one side of the sail and ball on the other. They are always there, right where we need em' Actually we have found many uses for the little buggers all over the boat. We keep lots handy and admit we have been "schnapped" a few time but have launched more than a few over the side :)

Someday we'll get around to posting pics.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2011 : 08:57:47

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by KeziCat
 . . . Someday we'll get around to posting pics . . .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I think you are referrring to this

Excellent idea! The best part is how fast you can attach it . . .

It pays to be selective when purchasing. I opted for a cheaper brand and the balls came apart at the seam

Edited by - OJ on 10/20/2011 08:58:41

KeziCat
1st Mate

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USA
28 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2011 : 20:53:00

Hey OJ,

Thems' the ones. We had some chincy ones at first but eventually found better stuff. We learned that some didn't do to well in the sun and weather. Natural selection weeded out the junk and only the strong survived.

Thanks for the pic : )

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KeziCat
1st Mate

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USA
28 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2011 : 20:55:35

Sooo... found a picture of the reefing bungees. Learned how to add it to the forum thread. Oh, and it's a pretty good pic of the First Mate too. Now I need to figure out how to make the photo smaller to add it to our profile. Though she deserves supersize credit for keeping things afloat : )

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.