Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.
That's what it looks like to me. I've seen a couple photos of them, but never actually saw one on a boat. They're fairly uncommon, but look like they would be useful at times. I suspect you can ruin a good jib easily by using one, because you would be using a weight of sailcloth in strong winds that is designed for use in light air, and by using it in strong winds, you would be subjecting the cloth to enough stress to stretch it out of shape.
Too bad the reefed clew isn't reinforced like the reefed tack is... I've seen it in use by an old salt many years back. No need for a sail change with a system like that.
I don't think we can see the reef clew in that photo--it probably is reinforced behind the main. The sheets go to the reef clew (perhaps with a snap-shackle), the reef tack gets pulled down to the clew shackle, and the points in between are for tidying up as on the main. It's best to have a separate pair of sheets to use for this so you can do it close-hauled without luffing up, which in a stiffening wind can be dangerous.
Those cringles are a reef point for the jib. My 135 genny has 'em. Jib reefing was popular in the late 60s and early 70s. The reef takes my 135 down to about a 115...... although I hardly use it. If the breeze is enough for a 115, I set my 110 working jib. I bought the 135 used (barely). The sailmaker had sewn a bolt rope into the luff that was about two feet short. It was impossible to get the wrinkles out of the luff. I "repaired" the bolt rope and have an old sail that sets very well now. The sail is probably 40+ years old but looks almost new except for the reef points that gives the whole thing away. ha ha Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. 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.