reefing

Well, as the end of our summer approaches, I did something I haven't done so far: I reefed my mainsail on the Cal 20. Not only did I reef the main, but I also flew my storm jib. The handheld anemometer was showing average wind speeds of 15 knots and peaks of 18 at deck level on the mooring, and I expected more out on the open water. The boat sailed along in a perfectly polite manner. I had forgotten what good manners she had when reefed--little heeling, very light helm, and speeds from the mid-4 to mid-5 knot range. Meanwhile, the big tourist schooner was rounding up, and luffing her jibs, and looking generally overwhelmed. The wind occasionally whistled in the rigging, but the expected higher winds on the water did not really materialize, and this was just way too polite for me. I exchanged the storm jib for the working jib. This gave me speeds from the mid-5s to hull speed, but the boat was still extremely stable. /Aha, I thought, this is how I need to sail when I have non-sailing guests aboard. /Let's face it, the wind always pipes up when we have non-sailors on the boat, doesn't it? The only glitch was that the clew reefing line stretched more than I would have liked. It came on the boat and is a single-braid. What do other people use for reefing line? This almost looks like a good application for some sort of high-tech, low-stretch line because when you're reefed, it's likely to be inconvenient to keeping taking up the stretch. Chris Campbell

I use stay set & I haul in till I am satisfied that there is no more to gain. My Best, Mike From: Chris Campbell <cl… [at] charterinternet.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Tue, August 31, 2010 6:29:17 AM Subject: [Cal_Boats] reefing Well, as the end of our summer approaches, I did something I haven't done so far: I reefed my mainsail on the Cal 20. Not only did I reef the main, but I also flew my storm jib. The handheld anemometer was showing average wind speeds of 15 knots and peaks of 18 at deck level on the mooring, and I expected more out on the open water. The boat sailed along in a perfectly polite manner. I had forgotten what good manners she had when reefed--little heeling, very light helm, and speeds from the mid-4 to mid-5 knot range. Meanwhile, the big tourist schooner was rounding up, and luffing her jibs, and looking generally overwhelmed. The wind occasionally whistled in the rigging, but the expected higher winds on the water did not really materialize, and this was just way too polite for me. I exchanged the storm jib for the working jib. This gave me speeds from the mid-5s to hull speed, but the boat was still extremely stable. Aha, I thought, this is how I need to sail when I have non-sailing guests aboard. Let's face it, the wind always pipes up when we have non-sailors on the boat, doesn't it? The only glitch was that the clew reefing line stretched more than I would have liked. It came on the boat and is a single-braid. What do other people use for reefing line? This almost looks like a good application for some sort of high-tech, low-stretch line because when you're reefed, it's likely to be inconvenient to keeping taking up the stretch. Chris Campbell

Speaking of reefing, I don't know how many of you have read John Rousmanier's book "Fastnet Force 10." If you haven't I recommend it right up there with Adlard Coles. He was crewing on a Swan 47 in the 1979 Fastnet when it came time to tie in the third reef. They had not run a messenger through that cringle and so he had to climb out on the boom to pass the third reef (really the first) line through the cringle. It was blowing 50 with 50 foot seas. Great story including an explanation of what happened. I'm reading it for maybe the 50th time. Mike Kennedy Conquest Cal 40 # 96 (now somebody else's)

I read it long ago and it really sobered me up. In April 1982 we lost 5 at one time in the Gulf of the Farallons, not a Fastnet storm. I was in a Baltic 39 racing in St Thomas or I would have been there in a Santa Cruz 27. Boats that were lost were lost when they sought shelter near shore of tried the Golden Gate. Tough boats survived and Joscelain Nash sailed her 28' Wylie Hawkfarm offshore to seek deeper water and sea room. I believe this would have been my choice also. Lessons learned from Fastnet were that many boats and many sailors were not prepared. Don't leave your boat for the raft unless your boat is full of water AND about to sink. Don't rely on outside help although the Royal Marines and RN Helo drivers saved so many. How many boats today sail with a storm jib and a storm trysail with it's own dedicated track? Reef and keep the boat moving. I'll look it up and read it again, thanks Mike My Best, Mike Farrell From: Michael Kennedy <mi… [at] mac.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Mon, September 13, 2010 11:30:05 AM Subject: [Cal_Boats] reefing Speaking of reefing, I don't know how many of you have read John Rousmanier's book "Fastnet Force 10." If you haven't I recommend it right up there with Adlard Coles. He was crewing on a Swan 47 in the 1979 Fastnet when it came time to tie in the third reef. They had not run a messenger through that cringle and so he had to climb out on the boom to pass the third reef (really the first) line through the cringle. It was blowing 50 with 50 foot seas. Great story including an explanation of what happened. I'm reading it for maybe the 50th time. Mike Kennedy Conquest Cal 40 # 96 (now somebody else's) ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/