Cruising Sailors Forum Archive

I'm in Tom's camp - I think?

Tartan 30. Recently went to lazy jacks - great for lowering the main and keeping it out of the way while coming in to anchor/moor/dock. When ready to furl, the lazy jacks go away and stay away until I need them again for lowering. More detail on request.
Reefing: Have yet to see a reefing system that's easy and painless. My current system involves going to the mast for halyard, luff hook, and clew tackle. We normally sail with clew tackle rigged for the first reef. I've found a way to rig the clew tackle for the second reef that doesn't involve standing on a lifeline stanchion. More detail on request.
Friend has a system worthy of mention. Main halyard and clew tackles led to cockpit cabin-top winches via stoppers. Luff line goes from cabin top winch to base of mast then up to a fairlead, ending in a snap hook. When thinking about reefing, he goes to the mast and attaches the luff line to a dog ear on the next reef point - then goes back to the cockpit. To reef, ease halyard, take up on luff line and secure, tension halyard and secure, take up clew line and secure. For the next reef, just move the luff line up to the next dog ear and repeat. But again, the question of rigging the next clew line.
As to the mainsail itself - very happy with two full upper battens and a loose foot. Main occasionally hangs on the backstay, but I'm used to that from ice boating. It'll pop through - always has!

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