Hi there,
I’m working on setting up a simpler reefing system on my Guider and wanted to run something buy those with more experience. As has been mentioned in previous posts on the topic I don’t love the jiffy reefing system and dealing with all the excess line when reefed. Also, it is just finicky. I like the simplicity of just looping a loop connecting the new tack around the front of the boom. The issue is connecting the new clew. I’m copying the system from the youtuber “boat rambler.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beh1CnDPljI&list=PLbkA_kHskAdfy_0Wc3NW7XSCkZtMb82i4
He uses an outhaul. While I certainly could install a similar system I was considering just not. Instead, just placing another loop around the new clew and looping it around the aft end of the boom.
My logic being that when I’m reefed, especially double reefed, I am not lacking for wind and generally over powered anyhow. Therefore the added benefit of tightening the foot of the sail with the outhaul isn’t really necessary. Maybe the sail looks a little uglier, but oh well.
Please educate me on the error of my logic here. Maybe the outhaul provides better pointing angle even when I’m reefed and have plenty of wind?
Thanks for sharing your experience
So the thing that jiffy reefing gives you that the youtuber’s system doesn’t is that you don’t have to get to the front of the boom when reefing. That’s not a big deal if you’re reefing on land before you go out, but if you’re trying to reef out on choppy water with a strong gusty wind it may make a big difference. As long as you’re guaranteed to do all your reefing before you launch, the loop over the front of the boom is fine.
I don’t find the excess line a problem; I just wrap it around my hand, secure it with an awning bungee and let it hang out of the way. It takes about 30 seconds.
The advantage of attaching to an outhaul (or using jiffy-reefing which acts as an outhaul) is that the extra tension versus that of a simple loop will let you sail more efficiently without having to tie the reef ties. Again, not a big deal if you’re reefing on shore before launching, but it’s one less thing to deal with on the water.
I don’t know enough about the Guider to say how much having a sloppily reefed sail would affect the sailing qualities, so I won’t. But as long as you’re reefing on shore, you should be able to get everything set up with proper tension using simple systems.
Laszlo
Whatever you decide about your reefing system, please consider this: Strong winds are EXACTLY when you should consider the ability to develop a strong outhaul/tight foot on the sail as very important, even when reefed. You are correct in saying that the wind might be overpowering, but taking the belly out of the sail is a very important part of DEPOWERING the sail, and of gaining upwind performance in strong wind. Having a big belly (high camber) will tend to both cause you to want to ease the sail to depower, and will cause the sail to luff prematurely. You end up with more heeling and less forward drive. I alsways tell my sailing students that those high paid folks who developed comercial jets have it right - when you’re cruising at high speed (when the wind is high) the flaps are all retracted and the angle of attack is low. (High wind: Use a flatter sail shape and keep the wind more toward the bow). When taking off and landing (wind speed is low) the flaps are down and the angle of attack is high. (Low wind: Use a fuller sail shape and fall off the wind a bit). Based on sail shape, in both cases you’ll be sailing just below the point at which you see a luff begin to develop. And of course when it is blowing so hard that you have to ease the sail and luff just to ramain upright and in control, that is what you’ll have to do - but with a flat sail you’ll find you need to do this LESS than you would if out in high wind with a fuller sail shape. A lot said here, but we’re back to the point of don’t neglect the outhaul tension in high wind just because the boat will be going (too?) fast one way or the other. You’ll sail happier with the flatter sail.
Thank you both for your replies. Well explained. I’m going to give the Jiffy reef another go - more likely user error than anything.
