How to reef a mainsail 101 (2015 version with narration)

A step by step instructional video on how to slab reef a mainsail on a small keel-boat with sub-titles and narration.

The text below carries additional information which could not be fitted into the narration:

"Welcome on board 'Regent Express' – a 27 foot sports boat sailing on Table Bay, Cape Town, South Africa.

In this video we demonstrate how to reef a mainsail on a small keel-boat. In this example it’s a boat that weighs only 1100 kg and has a generous sail plan. This means when sailing in strong wind areas, like Cape Town, we reef often. There is nothing to replace regular reefing practice to instill confidence in the crew and their ability to reef the boat quickly and efficiently.

The most important item you should take out of this video is that the right time to reef, is the first time you think of it. If the boat is heeling more than 15 degrees and more than 50% of the mainsail is not drawing, it’s time to tuck in a reef.

Keep everyone on the rail except for 2 designated crew members, so that the boat remains as flat as possible.

Step 1: The main trimmer eases the mainsail and the pit-man eases the vang completely.

Step 2: The pit-man then eases the main halyard, whilst the mast-man pulls the luff of the mainsail down and hooks the reefing point onto the reefing hook at the goose-neck.

Step 3: The pit-man now retensions the main halyard – it needs to be very tight.

Step 4: The pit-man now winches in the reefing line which pulls the aft reefing point backwards and downwards, towards the aft end of the boom. It helps if the head-sail trimmer lifts the boom to ensure this part happens smoothly and a clean, tight reef is set. In very strong conditions watch out that the boom doesn't injure any crew members.

Step 5: The pitman must put a lot of tension on the reefing line. The idea is to have the foot as flat as possible. Use a winch if there is one available.

Step 6: The excess part of the sail must now be rolled up neatly – to avoid it flogging around and to reduce wind resistance and drag. This boat has a loose footed mainsail, so rolling it up as fairly easy. On boats with a tracked boom, the excess sail has to rolled via the ¼ and ¾ points reefing eyes, which takes a bit longer. Try to always roll the sail on the windward side of the boom, which keeps all the crew involved with the reefing process on the high side of the boat. This is for safety and efficiency reasons.

Step 7: Secure the excess sail fabric with 4 mm. bungee cord. This works much better than rope and wont damage the sail.

Step 8: Note that the traveller is right up to windward – This is a good way to depower the main even more by twisting the top of the mainsail more open. Use less vang to aid depowering.

Step 9: Whilst this final part of the reefing process is taking place, the helmsman is primarily steering on the headsail. If the wind is very strong, he can assist in keeping the boat flatter, which greatly improves the crew’s ability to work on a flatter surface, by feathering the boat – in other words. steering higher into the wind allowing the head-sail to flutter at the luff. During this phase you should have no more than 3 of your crew off the rail.

Step 10: The mainsail trimmer now re-tensions the main-sheet and the pit-man applies some vang tension to power the main up.

The boat is now slightly faster than before, but more importantly it’s much flatter, which makes life more comfortable for the entire crew; the boat is easier to steer, the motion more comfortable, plus it points higher. The mainsail has stopped flogging, resulting in less visits to the sail loft too.

So remember the golden rule: Reef immediately after you first think it might be time to!

Crews who don’t shy away from reefing, are the better crews. Give them that confidence, by practising reefing off the race course. It exudes the most basic of good seamanship if your crew can reef the boat. Try a practice run in 15 knots of wind, when conditions are easier and keep lifting the bar, and logging the time it takes to reef. A good crew can reef a boat in under 3 minutes.

This video was filmed offshore Cape Town in 20 to 25 knots of south-easterly breeze.

All rights reserved - Trygve Roberts

[SailFanatics]

a little strange to be sailing in a strong breeze with the traveler to windward? If you depower the main that much perhaps better to just drop it.