Rapid Reefing Rings

[multimedia_smith]

I made these for my new loose footed main, but I've been using them with my full batten main for a quick reef that works...

http://www.com-pacowners.com/gallery2/displayimage.php?album=random&cat=10114&pos=-911

I know it's not a new idea, but rather a variation on a theme... but hey, setting up your sails for the changing conditions makes for a happy boat.
Smooth Sailing to all
Dale

[multimedia_smith]

I have to respond to my own post here... I took the new main out for
a test drive today... a front just blew through last night and it
was plenty windy and very very bumpy.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the clew of the new main has
a slug slider like the ones on the luff in place of having a bolt
rope foot.

So that meant that in the unreefed state the rope ring was not
needed. But on the tack corner, I found that I now needed two
rings... one to hold downward to offset the halyard pressure and
another one to hold forward to offset the outhaul pressure.

I started the day double reefed and wound up shaking both reefs out
by the end of hte day... I lost the clew end ring in the process, so
I'll be making a new pair from heavier line and usung the original
at the front edge of the tack.

The sail did work great. It shapes beautifully and provides a lot of
power. I'm thinking the second reef will saved for those rare
occasions when the wind is more than anyone would care to be caught
in(it takes seven feet off the luff). The first reef takes three
and a half feet off the luff and is a good size. The first reef on
my full batten main is at a foot and a half... so between the two I
have a fair selection of adjustment.

I was running the 60% heavy air jib today also... since I went out
alone, I didn't have any additional "moveable ballast"... could have
gone to the 110 by the end of the day, but had a lot going on with
changing the reef points and it was so rough, I was worn out. All
in all a great day out on the water.

Best to Y'all
Dale