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Author Topic: When to Reef the Main?  (Read 4358 times)

U20CarpeDiem

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When to Reef the Main?
« on: June 27, 2018, 06:03:06 PM »
In my limited experience with the U20 I've noticed that the boat can get over-powered quite quickly.  Even dropping the traveler is often not enough to de-power the main.  Is there a rule of thumb based on wind speed and wave height or combination of the two, when it is advised to reef the main?  I'm often encountering 15+ knot winds and 4ft.+ waves on Lake Michigan.  During one race the winds came up so fast unexpectedly that we had to let the main flutter and sail with jib only.   
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Travis Gregory

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Re: When to Reef the Main?
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2018, 08:43:11 PM »
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Keith Ziegler

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Re: When to Reef the Main?
« Reply #2 on: June 28, 2018, 11:12:17 AM »
If racing NEVER!. You lose to much sail area to keep the boat moving.

Keith
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Tac Boston

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Re: When to Reef the Main?
« Reply #3 on: June 28, 2018, 04:48:29 PM »
I have never said this before and I will deny saying in the future,  Keith Ziegler is a smart man :)

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U20CarpeDiem

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Re: When to Reef the Main?
« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2018, 01:54:04 PM »
Thanks all for your responses to my question about reefing the main.  They ranged from "never", to some who do and got good results, to those who wished they had.  I'm guessing that there must be some happy medium between being blown over and de-powered, to reefed and sailing more upright and in control.  I was also concerned about buckling the mast or losing the rig.  I've heard of those in the fleet who have lost their masts.  A season ending bummer. 

I found the thread about the 500 lb. crew weight interesting when deciding whether or not to reef in higher wind speeds.

Eric
     
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Tac Boston

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Re: When to Reef the Main?
« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2018, 08:42:12 PM »
One other thing to do is when the main is ragging make sure you ease some jib sheet as well or the boat just tips over more and goes sideways. The other thing is make sure the shrouds are wound on really hard and you probably can't pull the vang hard enough.
Tac
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