[Public-list] Internal reefing lines in boom

[richard.hazlegrove at wachovia.com]

Joel,
The boom on Quest has three internal lines run;  the outhaul and first and 
second reef lines.  They enter at the top of the aft end of the boom, exit 
at the bottom of the forward end,  run to Schaefer turning blocks at the 
mast base then back to three clutches aft of the port cabintop winch. 

When I purchased Quest the former owner threw in lots of spare parts 
(multiple sails, unknown widgets, sink, even a spare BMW marine diesel). 
Included in these parts were two sheave boxes machined out of aluminium 
and fitted with three sleeved aluminium sheaves.  I was able to match the 
sizes of the sheaves with Harken delron sheaves to reduce friction.  Since 
it involved cutting openings in the boom,  I had Atlantic Spar and Rigging 
in Annapolis install the boxes. 

I am not sure of your question about modifications on the main but here's 
what I've got.  It's set up for slab reefing with two reef points each on 
the leach and luff.  The luff has a lines run from fixed points on the 
mast, up through the cringles,  back down to the base of the mast and then 
to clutches aft of the starboard cabintop winch.  The four clutches on the 
starboard side operate the main halyard,  rigid vang, and the two reefing 
points.  When racing,  I swap out the two luff reef lines and replace them 
with the topping lift and spinnaker halyard. If I need to reef.  I use the 
reef hook which is still attached. 

I know reasonable folks disagree about running a lot of this to the 
cockpit, but I frequently singlehand (with or without my wife) and race 
with a small crew so it works well for me. 

Richard Hazlegrove
Quest #433
Mobjack Bay, VA.