Questions about Single Line Reefing

[cpedw]

My shiny new boat was originally equipped for single line reefing back to the cockpit of the mainsail. It was converted by the previous owner to clew lines back to the cockpit with tack rings and ramshorns at the gooseneck. The mainsail has 2 reefs (a fundamental limit for single line reefing I believe).

The previous owner said that S.L.R. didn't work well and the surveyor agreed that it's not much good. I am a fan of everything back to the cockpit for bad weather (the last boat had 3 reefs with 2 line reefing; a lot of string and clutches...) so restoring S.L.R. is quite appealing.

Can anyone offer advice - is it a good idea - based on experience of S.L.R?

Bear in mind that we are definitely Croc-wearing cruisers, not Dubarry-equipped racers.

Derek

[ash]

I don't have personal experience of SLR, so take my thoughts with that in mind.

I would think that a major consideration of reinstatement would be whether the blocks still exist / are usable within the boom.

I would have thought that using ( smaller diameter) Dynema would help with the SLR problem of friction.

Ash

[billmags]

Hi Derek
I used single line reefing on Wild Cat which had a small main sail and used blocks at the clew and tack as friction is your enemy. It worked fine but I prefer Marlins two rope system (one clew, one tack). Okay it uses two more jammer's but its fast and all from the the safety of the cockpit. If you need a third reef my advice is to put the engine and go home!
Bill

[Telo]

We've been getting used to Telo's SLR for the first two reefs - third is done at the mast. Seems to work OK but there is a lot of friction and not as quick/easy as I'd assumed it might be. Quite pleased with it though.

Would I want to go back to reefing at the mast? Nope.

[mm5aho]

I have a single line for each reef, but done at mast.
Mast end is to a ramshorn, other end rope through cringle, pulley and back to mast.

Works well, but requires to be done at mast.