Ready to take my novice skills to the next level and figured it was time to study up on reefing. An on-line owners/instillation manual for the Harkin Single Line Reefing System explains a lot about the extra hardware little Myrtle is sporting. I knew I’d eventually find out what all that extra bling was about! I have 50 feet of 5/16 line ready to install Saturday. While my Doyle sails have two sets of reef lines, I assume a system like this is probably set up in the first/lowest set. I plan to run the lines back to the cockpit since it appears the blocks are in place to do so. Does anyone have any advice on the rigging or operation of this system? While she does have lazy jacks, any thought on securing the sagging sails? If over tightening is a possible problem, is the best answer simply to tie them lose, or are some sort of “stretchy” ties the best? Do I need to play with the boom kicker at all? I believe she has an adjustable top stay (I know that’s got to be the wrong term) but I’m not ready to even think about bending the mast as part of my heavy air procedure!

After I get the main sail set up, what do you experts think about the jib? Myrtle has a roller furling with a rather large jib (or at least I think it’s big, and no, I ready don’t know how big it is.) Is it best to simply roll in a little sail (making sure there is a good cleat/lock in place) or to run the sheet to one of the genoa leads a little further aft? I’ve read that both are used.

I need to learn how to manage heavier air. On my last day of vacation last week I didn’t go out because it was a little windier than I wanted to handle alone. Hope I don’t need to sit on shore again.

Doug

On my boat, in light wind I use a big Genoa. If the wind is above about 15 knots I rig a smaller jib. As the wind rises I get progressively more weather helm. At 18-20 I reef the main. This takes the weather helm out up to about 25.

Above 25 a close haul is not particularly comfortable. Unless I have a gung ho crew that is itching to get wet and sail on the edge, I sit on shore and watch the waves smash on the seawall.

Where you reef, and which sails will depend on how your boat handles.

How to reef: Lower the halyard, Hook the tack (front reefing point). Raise the halyard. Tension the luff of the sail (cunningham if you have it, halyard tension if you don't). Pull the reefing line to tension the foot of the sail. Tie the reef lines. Remember the reef lines are housekeeping tools to keep the bundle of sail off your head, not sail shape tools. Keep the loops loose, so they don't pull vertical creases into the sail.

Hey Doug,

I have the harkin single line reefing system on my boat.

It works great.

Glad to hear it works well. I've talked to a few people who feel the system has too much friction and is hard to work. My son - the Skipper in this case - feels having the lines strung around would just be in the way, and is leaning toward just using the traditional reefing lines. My problem in life is I ALWAYS want options! No matter how much we watch the weather reports and try to avoid "bad stuff," it happens! My biggest concern is getting caught in heavy wind when I'm solo. It just seems to me that the single line system, especially run to the cockpit, would be much easier/safer than traditional lines.

In the mean time we're not set up for anything, which is not smart. I'd like to say we'll just avoid "bad stuff," but we've already failed with that plan and have to have the jib repaired this winter.

Thanks for your comment,

Doug