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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Reefing Question

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RC
Deckhand

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USA
9 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/26/2004 : 11:38:33

I am a new owner of a 250 WB and pretty much a novice sailor. I am trying to figure out how one goes about single line reefing for both reef points. The owner's manual wasn't much help (the figure shows only the first reef point).

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 11:58:17

RC,

Check out this link to [url="http://www.harken.com/mainsail/4171slr.pdf"]Harken's Single Line Reefing System Manual[/url]. It's got some good info.

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 12:56:02

Don't feel bad, the manual does not compute. You'll have to figure out what works best for you. Different folks have come up with different solutions. Here are a few of my observations and methods.

1- Install a good topping lift. (the little wire with hook is fine for in the dock, but "out there" cannot take the weight off the sail without restricting boom movement. This is bad.) There's various ways to go about it. I put a block on the back of the (mast top) truck, on the same pin where the back stay is attached, and ran a line up and down. It is led aft to the cockpit via deck organizer and stopper. There are other way's, but whatever way you do it, reefing becomes much easier if you take the load off the sail.

2- I have the first reef single line, as per owners manual, and then again led aft to the cockpit.

3- I currently have a reef hook for the tack of the second reef, and have led the reefing line for the clew aft to the cock pit.

4- I still have to modify the end of the boom. There is enough room for the reefing lines to run off the sheaves, and get jammed up in between them, especially on windy days when things are flopping around...(this is of course when one reefs...

) I plan on installing some large "washers" made of some non corrosive material, to keep the lines on the sheaves.

Hope this helps.

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 18:28:39

Hey RC,

One of the first discoveries you'll make when delving into the reefing issue is that there are two schools of thought. One things single line reefing is the way to go, and the other side made up mostly of those who tried it and abandoned it.

I'm not suggesting that the latter have discovered the better life... but the fact that they many don't stay with a single line is interesting at least.

Ok, lets take a look at the c250. Catalina has provided an internal to the boom routing for the 1st reef point. To facilitate a single line reefing using that routing, as the line exits the forward sheave on the boom, it has to go down to a turning block on the mast and then back up to the reef tack. This extra 180 degree turn on a fairly small cheek block is a killer to easy operation.

There are other inherrant problems with single line reefing settups and for a synopsis of those, visit the pineapplesails.com web site.

Single line reefing is attractive to those who rig their lines to the cockpit because it takes twice the deck hardware for double line. A great many however, ulitimate have to resort to a winch to set the reef which brings risk of popping sail slugs or damage to the reef tack.

The c250 really needs both reef points ready to go and I found that my boat once rigged with a single line for the 1st reef and a double for the second was far easier to set the second double line reef. The single line reef was abandoned to never return. However, I don't have lines led aft. If I did, I think I'd make the effort to provide two additional lines to the deck organizers.

Here is a drawing to give some ideas of how to handle both reef points with double lines.

[url="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/reefing.html"]Double line reefing settup[/url]

The page includes a link to Pineapple Sails.

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RC
Deckhand

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USA
9 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2004 : 11:02:46

Thanks responsders! Not even 24 hours and I have received some <u>excellent advice</u>. One of these days, after I figure out what I am doing, I hope to return the favor(s). What would we do without this forum?

Thanks Again.

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2004 : 11:15:48

Also, come to Nationals and see how others do it.....Or, depending on where you are, you might find a volunteer to come out and give you some hands-on on your own boat. Wouldn't cost you more than a six pack/organic veggie juice.....

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

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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.