adding reefing points

[mandolinut]

Has anybody used a grommet kit and added your own reefing points? Seems like it would be easy enough to do and would save $ and add a grommet kit to my tools (about 27$) .
I guess my real question is to you that have reefing points, did the sailmaker add more sail material and stitching around the area that they grommeted?
Thanks. Enjoying my 16. Had her out this evening for a sunset sail.

[wes]

I am no sail expert, but my new National Sail (ie Rolly Tasker) sails have a TON of reinforcement around the reefing grommets - just as much as at the head, tack and clew - and I'll bet there's a good reason why.

Wes

[Bob23]

Wes is right. There is much more than popping in a few brass grommets. On my old main for my 23, my sailmaker only charged me $80.00 to add a second reef point. I felt that was pretty cheap. Now the sail just sits in a bag while I enjoy my new sails. I guess I should sell it.
bob23

[CaptRon28]

my new National Sail (ie Rolly Tasker) sails have a TON of reinforcement around the reefing grommets - just as much as at the head, tack and clew - and I'll bet there's a good reason why.

Sure is - they form the new tack and clew when you reduce sail. Since you're reefing because of more wind, the forces are pretty close to what you had with the full sail, maybe even more.

[capt_nemo]

Additional layers of sailcloth are absolutely a must for the reef point grommets. Not only the new Tack and Clew, which will bear a lot of load, but also the interior "diamond" patches of reinforcement for the grommets that hold the short tie down lines for around the boom.

I made a complete set of proper reef points for a mainsail many years ago. The process convinced me to let a Sailmaker do the job if I ever needed to add reef points to a sail again!

capt_nemo

[mandolinut]

Much thanks