Reefing allows you to reduce the sail area of your boat.
This will allow you to keep in control on windy days.
It’s best to reef ashore, and if in doubt put a reef in.
You will have a number of reefing points that allow increasing amounts of reefing to be
applied to the sail.
In this example we’re starting with the mainsail fully rigged and hoisted.
First release the reefing line from the boom and pull all the slack through.
Thread the end of this line through the first reefing point behind the mast, and on the
other side of the sail return the line to the boom but keeping inside the kicking strap.
Tie the end of this line to the boom with a bowline.
Next go to the end of the boom and pull the remainder of the reefing line out like this.
Return to the mast and release the main halyard to lower the mainsail, then return to the
end of the boom and thread the reefing line through the eyelet of the clew of the sail
like this.
And return the line to the boom and clip it in place.
Return to the mast and pull the reefing line tight.
This pulls the clew down to the boom, and tensions the front of the sail.
You may need to adjust the halyard slightly to ensure that the reefing point ends up tight
to the boom.
Tidy up the slack on the reefing line to stop it getting tangled.
And finally, tie the sail to the boom using a reef knot.
Repeating as necessary.
Repeat the process to subsequent reefing points if it is particularly windy.
You can reef the sail when the boat is tied to a pontoon, and you should familiarize yourself
with the whole process so that you can reef afloat should the need arise.
Let’s look at another example.
The reefing line is released from the boom, and threaded through the first reefing point
in the sail behind the mast.
And then led back to the boom and tied with a bowline.
The main halyard is then released to lower the sail, the outhaul end of the reefing line
is then threaded through the clew of the sail and led back to the end of the boom and clipped
in place.
The reefing line is then pulled tight to tension the sail, with the main halyard being adjusted
so the first reefing point ends up by the boom.
Continue to pull the reefing line to make sure there is no slack.
For single handed boats that don’t have wire rigging to support the mast, reefing
is simple.
Disconnect the outhaul from the clew end of the sail, and simply wrap the sail completely
around the mast.
You can do this several times if necessary.
Finally reconnect the outhaul back to the boom.
Whichever reefing procedure you’ve used, to take the reef out you should reverse the
process.
To lower the sails release the halyards and gently pull down.
To pack the sails away, it’s best to roll them from the head of the sail.
For the mainsail two people make this easier.
For the jib, roll the sail up using the wire.
Starting at the head, continue winding around until you reach the end.
Then finally slide the sails into the sail bag to store them away.
If you take all the battens out of the sail after use, you can fold the sail like this.
With a friend, fold the sail working towards the head.
And then finally roll the folded sail up.
Being completely familiar with the rigging and reefing process is an important part of
sailing.
In time you will get quicker at the whole process.