Hi all,
Our 26x has mainsail reefing. A great idea if you leave your boat permanently rigged and very convenient for single handed sailing.
The system fitted is rivited to the mast making it appear to be an 'in mast reefing' system.The mainsail is specially cut to include vertical battens.
As I want to use the boat as a proper trailer sailer this makes the mast too heavy to take up and down regularly.
So three options - 1) remove and replace with a one or two string slab reefing system.(sell old system)
2) replace with roller reefing system, but then using kicking strap when reefed is a problem.(sell old system)
3) modify old 'in mast' system then fit it on top of boom.Kicking strap can be used but the main can only be
lowered the width of the sail.
Any thoughts or experiences would be welcome.
Ray
Ray
Hi Ray
Is your sail suitable for any other kind of reefing? With vertical battens a) is there enough sail below the battens to form an adequate reef, and b) it's going to be difficult to raise and lower the sail when on the water.
You might need to get a new sail, or at least get the batten pockets changed.
If going to a conventional arrangement, you might want to consider a stack-pack as well.
I find that single-line reefing works very well - and it's cheap! I can give you details of how I've rigged mine - let me know.
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
I have had an in mast reeling system on another boat. The mainsail was a smaller area due to the cut of the sail. I suspect you may find the same with this sail. I would be surprised if you we're unable to find a buyer for the complete system as if you are not too bothered about performance in mast reefing does make for easy short handed sailing.
Hi Rick,
Not sure how much sail is left under the batterns, sail is in the loft at the moment.Thank you, I certainly would be interested to see what you have done by way of reefing.
Ray
Just dragged the 'main' from the loft.The Luff is 7mtr long,the Foot 3 mtrs. The three batterns extend vertically downward along the leach/roach a maximum of five mtrs .That leaves just 2mtr available for reefing, roller or slab. Is that enough for a set of reef points
and cringle do you think ?
Ray
Hello Collin,
The sail and furling is by 'Maxi Roach', its a complete system.As the name would suggest the Roach is very full, so i don't think it
would be under powered.
Ray
Ray