Reef points on the jib

[Duckie]

I am considering having reef points added to the lapper jib on my CP 16.  I use that particular sail on both the 16 and my Weekender, so it is one of my most used sails in the locker.  I am not a big fan of furling, so reefing is the only way I can go short of changing out the sail entirely.   By doing this, I should be able to sail in winds up to the point that I will want to take cover while minimizing the time I  spend exposed on the fore deck.  The CP jib is a real powerhouse on my weekender,  but it can be a handful at around 20 mph wind.  I have a bow sprit on the weekender so going out to unclip the tack is out of the question, but I have figured out a way to jiffy reef the tack from the cockpit, so I can make that sail the only one I will ever need on that boat. 

If anyone has experience with reefing the head sail on a CP 16, I would like some input as to whether this is a good idea and what the resultant performance was.  Also, I would like some recommendations for a sail loft that can make the addition reliably. 

Thank you in advance,

Al

[Tim Gardner]

Oboy, now you are getting into real small boat sailing.

Many gulf coast of Texas small boat sailors had a reef point in the jib.  In fact I own such a jib.  It's a 110 with reef points about one third.  Sail worked like champ, but unless you are sailing in continuous 14 - 18 knt wind there is no need.
TG

[frank]

I've had slab Reefing points put in my jib on 3 different boats over the years and got to use it on all 3 of them. A simple and inexpensive mod....in the $125 range a few years ago.
There must be sail lofts close to you. This isn't a high tech mod....most any loft will do it.

[Duckie]

Mostly, I am doing this for the Weekender.  The CP will handle winds that nobody wants to be out in with the 110 jib and a reefed main if I set the sails right, but the Weekender can be another matter.  Last year, on the Weekender, I got caught by what must have been a front coming through because the wind came up to a point that I had to drop the sails and motor to a protected place and wait it out.  I have been wondering ever since then if a double reef on the main and a reefed jib could have let me keep on sailing. 

It is funny, almost anywhere I go sailing the wind is much more steady than it is around here.  I like to rig for the worst that I think I will encounter, but a lot of times I get surprised.  I don't want to have to resort to changing out the fore sail, because that looks like too much work, so reefs seem like the way to go.  I have maybe figured out a method to jiffy reef the tack of the jib that will let me do everything from the cockpit of the Weekender, and that made me pull the trigger on this idea.  I watched a few videos on Youtube showing people reefing the jib on their big boats and it seems like something that anyone can do and probably should consider. 

Al

[Mas]

Well now am showing my haven't done this in a while self, but does the jib reef to the luff or down to it's foot. Would assume the luff as would be the case with roller reef. Have never owned a boat with such. Interlude has roller reef and Mas hank on jib and genny.

Other than cost and some maintenance, why is roller reefing not an option? I get the desire to have one sail for multiple uses and the simplicity of hank on. It is why we got a 16 again, just so simple yet capable.

[Tim Gardner]

Reefs to the foot.  Poor mans storm jib.

[Mas]

...makes sense now that I have coffee in me. If it reefed to the luff couldn't raise and lower very well and would be difficult to reach the reef points with sail up.

You guys still getting out on the lake? Miss the sailing season already but pumped for snow season. We move back into our place at Wintergreen Thursday and finish the winterizing process for Interlude next week just prior to hauling her.

[Tim Gardner]

Went out yesterday afternoon. Good steady westerly winds at 7-8 knots.  A bit cool - mid 50's  Nice in the sun, not in the shade.  Supposed to be the same on Thursday with like winds.  No inspections booked for the afternoon.  10 min. from decision to under sail.  Gotta love SML, where the water never gets too hard and the children are all above average.

TG     

[brackish]

It is funny, almost anywhere I go sailing the wind is much more steady than it is around here.  I like to rig for the worst that I think I will encounter, but a lot of times I get surprised.

I hear that.  I'm on a finger lake and the fingers can change the direction and intensity of the wind every time you pass one.  I try to sail year round but in the winter I put the small jib (110) on the furler and leave a single reef in the main all the time.  Saves me a lot of time reefing and I just go a little slower on the few days I'm out that they are undersized for the conditions.