(Continued from part 2) Reefing the standard balanced lug rig can be troublesome, especially out on the water. The uncontrolled boom, yard and sail can conspire to confound the effort, even with a jiffy reefing line. Lazyjacks and parrels bring it all back under control again.
First, head up into the wind to de-power the boat. Second, tighten the lazy jacks. Third, drop the yard about 30”. The boom will stay still vertically and will not pull away from the mast; the yard will stay close to the mast with any twist being resisted by the lazyjacks. (I put marks on the halyard so I can see how close I am to the reefed position.) Fourth, cleat the halyard. Fifth, pull on the long side of the jiffy reef line until the tack (lower front corner of the sail) is as close to the boom as it will go. Sixth, gather all the slack in the jiffy reef line and pull it through the clew (lower back corner of the sail), gathering all the slack, until the clew is as close to the boom as it will go. Seventh, cleat the jiffy reef line to the boom. Congratulations, you're reefed.
Now adjust the halyard and downhaul for the best sail shape, tie the ties around the foot of the sail and clean up the jiffy reef line (here I hung it from the reefing cleat). When everything is the way you like it, loosen the lazyjacks and start sailing again. To shake out the reef, do it all in reverse. (Continued in part 4.)