Simplifying Reefing Decisions: Knowing When It’s Time to Reef.

 

If you're thinking about putting a reef in... you should have already done it!

Or so the old saying goes. 

I think most sailors know instinctively when to reef but often choose to ignore the feeling.

I've been guilty of this on many occasions, hoping it will blow over, or it feels like a lot of hassle because I'll be dropping the sails soon.

I also have friends who feel that tucking a reef in is a personal failure!

But...

There is nothing more rewarding when you reef, than to feel a boat’s relief as she settles comfortably to a rising wind and sea. The easier, more upright motion often helps increase the speed, loads are reduced and the crew imbued with confidence. Pete Goss.

Setting up your boat for easy reefing is important, as it provides various advantages for both the yacht and its crew, particularly when sailing in challenging conditions. 

Streamline your preparations to make the reefing process as effortless as possible.

Deciding when to reef your sailboat isn't just about wind strength; it's a nuanced decision that skippers often ‘feel’ before thinking. Instead of fixating solely on the numbers displayed by wind instruments, it can pay to adopt an all round view, paying attention to the feel of the entire boat.

During downwind or short-handed legs, proactive reefing is the key.

A manageable boat makes life much more tolerable, and reefing at the right time helps ensure that overall boat handling is a lot less stressful. Monitor your autopilot's sounds or observe helm movements; frequent or substantial corrections tell you when the autopilot is struggling and tucking a reef in might make good sense. 

When using a spinnaker in moderate seas, handling issues often stem from a full mainsail rather than the spinnaker. Drop the kite first, and if using a masthead spinnaker, ensure proper mast support without the full main.

Sailing Upwind. 

When sailing upwind, factors like the boat's heel angle, sea state, and the feel of the helm as you maintain course play a key role in the decision making process. 

An overload in any of these areas can signal the need to reef.

On long upwind journeys, early reefing often proves a sound choice. If your mainsail shows is of a certain vintage, as mine is, a reef can remove the first slab from the bottom and provide a flatter shape. Some older sails might arguably set better and be more efficient with one reef permanently installed!

Sailing Downwind

For downwind or short-handed sailing, being proactive is key. 

A manageable boat is essential, and reefing during these points of sail improves overall boat handling. Monitor the autopilot's sounds or observe helm movements; frequent or substantial corrections indicate the necessity to reef. When using a spinnaker in moderate seas, handling issues often stem from a full mainsail rather than the kite.  

The intuitive solution appears to be to drop the spinnaker rather than the mainsail, but often the results are disappointing and you still find your boat ‘hard pressed’. It's often better to be towed along by the spinnaker instead of ‘pressed down’ by the main.

Drop the spinnaker before dropping the main, and if using a masthead spinnaker, make sure you’ve proper mast support when hoisting the headsail without the full main.

Consider your objectives for the passage. If you need a flatter and more stable platform to carry out repairs or cook, reefing can simplify these tasks. Even with a capable boat, slowing down for a while might prove beneficial in the long run, especially when short handed.

Reefing Tips: Reefing doesn't demand significant course changes. 

When sailing downwind:

• Lift the back of the main clear from the spreaders by heading up slightly 
• Drop the traveller 
• Release the kicker and ease the mainsheet.

Professional sailor Bouwe Bekking recommends  that you over-trim the jib to help to depower the mainsail here.

Reefing Lines:

Ensure reefing lines are fastened far back on the boom before easing the halyard. This provides tension in the new main foot and leech. Use a secondary reefing line if necessary.

Autopilot Assistance:

Speed up the reefing process by having the autopilot drive, even if both crew members are on deck. Be cautious about suddenly releasing the main as this might cause an unexpected course change. Placing your autopilot in compass mode might help to mitigate this.

In her article, Double Handed Sailing Skills- Upwind Trim and Reefing, Pip Hare suggests,

Sailing in compass mode should maintain a steady course while reefing and avoid any course corrections that would lead to loss of steerage while the mainsail is depowered.

Final thoughts:

Halyard Markings: Whip marks into the main halyard to indicate how far to drop when hooking on each reef. Using a luminous marking line can help you see it on night passages.

Wind Aft or on Beam: Over-sheet the jib to create a backdraft and clear the main from the spreaders when the wind is aft or on the beam.

Snap Shackles: Use snap shackles on Dyneema strops instead of rams' horns to secure reefing cringles to the boom.