[Public-list] slab reefing, boom vang

[Gordon Laco]

Hi Jonathan - 

That is exactly what I want to do with my sheet/lift assembly.

Re the reefing - when you say 'mast reef cringle' do you mean 'reef tack'?
I don't know how that can be below the boom.  We ensure that the points are
not causing problems by tying them loosely and always using shoe-bow knots
(they are quick to release).

We reef on any point of sail except dead downwind (you can do that but it is
hard to drag the sail down against the shrouds).

The drill goes like this:

- cast off sheet and vang
- ease halyard and haul down tack (I had a hook welded to the horizontal
gooseneck pin to make the reef tack fast to.  This should be as close as
possible to the natural position for the tack to avoid creating needless
stress on the sail, not to mention a poor set)
- haul taut the halyard, this must happen before the clew comes down.
- haul down the clew with the reefing line.
- on vang, in sheet and you are galloping again.

We then loosely tie reef points to bundle up the bunt later.  The reef line
cleats are on the inboard end of the boom, so the guy at the mast can handle
both the halyard and the line without moving, and with the boom in any
position on any point of sail.

Gord #426







> Dear Gord,
>              After my topping lift parted at the masthead, part of my
> upgrading, ( I almost took out my daughter by the way. She was NOT amused!).
> was to rethink the same single bolt arrangement at the boom end, which I did
> not trust at all. I ended up drilling a 1/2" hole on both sides of the boom
> and hanging two very skookum stainless steel boom bails. One connects the
> main sheet and one the topping lift. I trust them much more than the riveted
> or screwed plates with an eye welded on.
>    With regards reefing technique, I am thinking that it is better to have
> the mast reef cringle at or slightly below the level of the boom so as to
> avoid the possibility of  the reef tie in points being stretched when tying
> in the bunt. Any comments? Techniques for reefing will be appreciated.
> Jonathan EMMY
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gordon Laco" <mainstay at csolve.net>
> To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at alberg30.org>
> Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2006 5:04 PM
> Subject: Re: [Public-list] slab reefing, boom vang
> 
> 
>> Oh yeah, that was your original question.  I guess I forgot about it while
>> I
>> was pounding the table, spilling everybody's beer!
>> 
>> Yes, two reefs is common - if you look at the pictures of us reefing that
>> George has put on the US A30 website you will be able to get an idea of
>> the
>> size of each reef.  Sorry, I forget the exact measurements.  I do recall
>> asking my sailmaker to make both reefs deep.
>> 
>> Re where to hang the vang on the boom... There is no rule of thumb there
>> but
>> keep in mind that the loading on it will be terrific.  I put ours somewhat
>> further along that boom than the boom is high above the step.  If I were
>> to
>> do again I would move it further out.  I think you can see it in the same
>> pictures mentioned above.
>> 
>> Which reminds me - I sometimes look at that single bolt in the clew end of
>> the boom from which the mainsheet is hung, and wonder why I depend on it
>> so
>> much.  I will someday fit a formed stainless steel block hanger there
>> similar to the one I mounted for the vang.
>> 
>> Gord #426
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> Bob and Gord,
>>> 
>>> You're both right about jiffy reefing needing only two grommets for each
>>> reef and about the "in between" grommets (those between the tack and the
>>> clew grommets) being used only to tie in the bunt, with no load on them.
>>> That's how I reef the main on my present boat (a Tanzer 26). So, I agree
>>> that my mention of "rows of reef points" was misleading.
>>> 
>>> Now, I am considering getting an Alberg 30 and I probably will want to go
>>> to
>>> slab reefing instead of the original roller reefing.
>>> 
>>> Do you know if there are any guidelines about how high above the foot of
>>> the
>>> main the two grommets for each of the two reefs should be (I assume that
>>> two
>>> reefs is standard)?
>>> 
>>> And do you know how far from the mast the boom vang should hook onto the
>>> boom to achieve maximum purchase?
>>> 
>>> Thanks again,
>>> 
>>> Bernard
>>> 
>>>> Bernard,
>>>> For jiffy reefing you only need two grommets for each reef.  (Your
>>>> mention of "the rows of reef points" sounds like the old method of
>>>> reefing that ties the foot of the sail at many points). Excuse me if i
>>>> misinterpreted your mention of "the rows of reef points" .
>>>> 
>>>> Bob Johns, Wind Call #397
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> The only function of the grommets is to offer a place to loosely tie in
>>>> the
>>>> bunt or unused reefed portion of the sail - there should be no load on
>>>> them.
>>>> 
>>>> Gord #426
>>> 
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>> 
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> 
> 
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> Please support them.
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