Roll boom reefing

[Whistlingdixie]

Hi everyone,

I have seen a lot of reference to boom roll reefing . I have an 84 compac 16 an no reef point on the sail. Can any one explain to me how to do boom roll reefing? Or if my boat is even set up for that? Pic would be help full.

Thanks in advance.

[Mas]

Hello. Some of the earlier 16's had roller boom reefing. Our first one #1270 had it and it was never reliable and let us down when it was needed the most once. 26 years later and another 16 an 87' Mk2 has the traditional jiffy reef. A far simpler and reliable type.

There is a good chance yours has the roller boom. It works by pulling the boom out (towards the stern) and wrapping the sail around the boom till you have the amount you wish rolled. The boom then simply locks back into position. I say simply, though i am struggling to remember just what is involved with rolling the boom, and remember 1/2 turn increments then pushing it in having it not roll. Play with it some and see if this makes sense. If ever in a position to set it up for jiffy reefing, i would. They stopped using the roller boom for a reason. Other's here may be more helpful if they actually have a 16 with the boom roller. I do know that just with all reefing systems it works far better if you are not doing it under load. Been too many years to remember the particulars but rarely will you even need to reef with one. We got caught out in 20kts. building to near gale winds but thankfully close to a sheltering, for both wind and waves, point of land, when the roller system let us down (It locked up after just a 1/2 turn.). Even then the boat behaved better than we did. Should have paid better attention to the weather.  Meanwhile congrats on the 16. They are wonderful proper little yachts IMHO.

[ChuckD]

Whistlingdixie,
I bought 2 of these sail stops... and have loved life ever since.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LAHBEWU/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_12?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATRQ56T3H9TM5

Both sail stops go above the boom (see picture)...
. One below the mast groove gate prevents the boom from sliding out of the gate.
. One above the mast groove gate prevents the sail slugs from sliding out the gate.

Note: I usually heave-to before using the roller reefing feature, then:
1) Remove the upper stop.
2) Release tension on the main halyard and slide 2-3 sail slugs out of the gate.
3) Replace the upper stop.
4) Release the mainsheet, then rotate the boom until the sail is wrapped tightly.
5) Finally, re-tension the main halyard.

I debated having reef points added to my sail, but this is working out fine for me.
Chuck

[Whistlingdixie]

Thanks. This should get me through until I get new sails with reef points.

[philb Junkie19]

One problem with roller reefing comes from wrapping a cambered sail around a boom of a constant shape along its length. The boom on my Albin Vega was round. When reefing I used to place a sail bag along the part of the boom in the area of the greatest camber to try to fatten the boom there.  It probably helped was still a poor substitute for reef points and you didn't want to forget that the bag was there when taking out the reef.