[Public-list] slab reefing, boom vang

Thu Apr 20 20:56:53 PDT 2006

Hi Gordon,
What are you using for reef line cleats on the boom? Windward has clam 
cleats that the reeflines creep through over time. I worry that they will 
slip completely and let the reef out damaging the sail at the tie points. I 
have considered changing to rope clutches or plain cleats but have not 
decided which yet.

Philip,
Windward #428

----- 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 7:22 PM
Subject: Re: [Public-list] slab reefing, boom vang

> 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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