Rick, the one thing not mentioned in our discussion about reefing at the
Washington Sailing Marina was the effect of the rudder when the boat is making
sternway. It would pay to experiment backwinding the jib, say, to port and
jamming the helm also to port. The two then work at opposites and may just
balance each other. Anybody on the list?
I would think for any headsail roller furler to be reliable, regardless of
configuration, should be the failsafe ability to cast off a halyard and get the
sail or better the whole apparatus back down on deck in case of a jam. Friend
of mine couldn't do that with his and nearly crashed in the Bay. I think the
sail was destroyed. Another guy at sea in a full gale had to climb a tall mast
and use wire cutters. Fun!> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008
10:16:15 -0500> To: [email protected]> Subject: M_Boats:
Winter decisions> > After sailing M-17 #633 for several months last season, I
am in the process > of coming to decisions as to how (or if) I would like to
modify it for the > coming season. I will be sailing most of the time solo,
mostly on the Potomac > River, but also at times on the Chesapeake Bay. I would
also like to race in the > local cruising class races. I have 85% and 109%
hank-on headsails, but no > genoa. My main concern is easy main reefing, but
headsails can also be a > problem when alone. As an M-boat novice, I'd like to
solicit opinions and > advice, for which I give my thanks in advance. Here are
my options:> > Headsails: 1) Make no changes, 2) add a 150% hank-on genoa for
racing and > light airs or 3) put on a roller-reefer with a 130% genny and sell
my hank-on > sails. > > Furler: Ease and safety in reducing headsail area when
single-handing (most > of my sailing). Keeps me off the foredeck. However, less
efficiency in > headsail performance when partially furled, which would
probably be most of the > time. I've heard that furlers can fail when you need
them most, but > present-day designs seem to be reliable.> > Hank-on sails:
Probably I would start with the 109% most of the time. > How often would I
actually have to change to the 85%, assuming I can easily > reef the main?
Probably would not start with the 150% very often, since > single-handing it
will be overpowered in not too much wind, and I want to avoid > changing sails
when alone. Racing, I will have a crew, and can therefore use the > big genny.>
> 2) Reefing - I have seen (Gary O's, for example) neat single-line reefing >
systems which involve leading the reefing line to the base of the mast and >
round to the cockpit. How much in ease of operation and performance would I
give > up by terminating the reefing line at a cleat on the boom after a
turning > cheek block at the tack? How about falling back to separate lines at
tack and > clew, both terminated on the boom? Being able to reef the main when
alone is > probably my most important task. Just trying to make it easy.> > Any
inputs would be appreciated. Thanks,> > Rick> > > **************> Start the
year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.> >
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489>
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