How to Reef in a Blow!
Sometimes even the best sailors will be unable to control their boat in such strong weather, whether the boat in question is the largest yacht or the smallest dinghy.
So there is an option available to us: Reefing.
Reefing is reducing the sail area of a boat. On single handlers this usually means just the main, but on the two sail boats the genoa can be replaced by a storm gib in seriously windy weather.
For single handlers the sail can usually be reefed by simply not taking all the sail out or by wrapping it a few times around the main and is the simplest way to reduce the sail area and if the boat also has a small gib, just don't put it on.
On larger two sail boats it is usually more difficult as it needs a front sail to create a Slot (see my exclusive article from June) to help wind get around the mainsail. So a storm gib may be used.
The main is reduced first by clipping the second hole up (above the cunningham), next to the mast to a clip on the boom. Then the sail usually has bits of rope on it. Using a reefing knot (left over right and then right over left), connect the first two tightly and the third loosely (as it usually goes over the sheet covering the mainsheet).
Finally at the other end of the boom you should be able pull the back end of the sail down, finishing the reef. And to conclude the reef, make sure it is nicely put away so that it is all packed away and will not interfere with the aerodynamics of the sail.
Of course I wouldn't advise reefing in a hurricane, instead you shouldn't go out. If you don't feel that you are competent in a certain wind even with a reef, don't go out or go out with someone who you trust is more experienced than you.
Don't take risks!
So there is an option available to us: Reefing.
Reefing is reducing the sail area of a boat. On single handlers this usually means just the main, but on the two sail boats the genoa can be replaced by a storm gib in seriously windy weather.
For single handlers the sail can usually be reefed by simply not taking all the sail out or by wrapping it a few times around the main and is the simplest way to reduce the sail area and if the boat also has a small gib, just don't put it on.
On larger two sail boats it is usually more difficult as it needs a front sail to create a Slot (see my exclusive article from June) to help wind get around the mainsail. So a storm gib may be used.
The main is reduced first by clipping the second hole up (above the cunningham), next to the mast to a clip on the boom. Then the sail usually has bits of rope on it. Using a reefing knot (left over right and then right over left), connect the first two tightly and the third loosely (as it usually goes over the sheet covering the mainsheet).
Finally at the other end of the boom you should be able pull the back end of the sail down, finishing the reef. And to conclude the reef, make sure it is nicely put away so that it is all packed away and will not interfere with the aerodynamics of the sail.
Of course I wouldn't advise reefing in a hurricane, instead you shouldn't go out. If you don't feel that you are competent in a certain wind even with a reef, don't go out or go out with someone who you trust is more experienced than you.
Don't take risks!
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