Reefing lifehack 1: The reefing line moves to the helmsman with a block and clamp
On many yachts, the reefing line of the furling genoa is fitted with a lever clamp. This is usually installed at the height of the genoa winches, which is very practical when travelling with a crew. In single-handed operation, however, it is difficult to unfurl or reef the sail because the stopper is out of reach of the helmsman. We have extended the deck layout to include a block at the stern. For one-handed sailing, the reefing line is guided through the additional deflection into the grip area of the helmsman and held there by a curry cleat. The halyard stopper is then opened and remains in this position. Although the line is thus only fixed about one metre further aft, the sail can be operated much more comfortably and safely, and the mainsheet winch can be used for reefing in stronger winds.
Heinz-Peter Schwalbe, Schwarzenbek
Reefing lifehack 2: Splicing instead of ...
Screws. Rope shackles and the like have long since established themselves as a cost-effective alternative to classic deck hardware. Made from high-strength Dyneema, they can be used in almost any area on board. For example, the fibre is also suitable for deflecting the furling line. We have spliced the loops from four millimetre thick Dyneema and laid them around the railing supports according to the route of the line. Thanks to the soapy-smooth surface of the material, there is very little friction, and the solution is also very unobtrusive and cheaper than special blocks.
Peter Hoeck, Stockelsdorf
Reefing lifehack 3: Convenient roller meeting
On older boats, the reefing line of the furling system is often secured in a comb cleat on the coaming. After a few years, however, the holding forces of such clamps are very low, so that the reefing line can easily slip out. In addition, the angle of pull is rarely optimal, so the line has to be guided over another block to reef. Instead, we have fitted a folding block with a curry cleat on deck. This means that the operator has less resistance and the block and clamp always align themselves at the optimum pulling angle and clatter around less than a loose block and clamp combination.
Sven Walter, by e-mail
Reefing lifehack 4: Operate three reefing points with one line
When setting and recovering the mainsail with the reefing lines permanently reefed in, the way they flapped around was a nuisance. We managed to solve this problem with just one single reefing line. It runs over the foot of the mast through the boom to the nock, from there through a patent shackle with swivel fork and block to a self-adjusting sliding eye in the lower boom groove. To reef, the patent shackle is hooked into the desired reefing thimble and the line is taken tight.
Edgar Wallenborn, Kerpen
Do you have any advice for other sailors?
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