Roller reefing vs additional reef point question

[Citroen/Dave]

My '87 CP16, 'Slow Dancing', does not have the rotating connection at the gooseneck, much to my suprise.  It appears to be a standard issue Dyer mast and boom but with no sign of a replacement fixed gooseneck.  I don't know if I am upset or not.  I anticipated having that safety feature should the wind get above the only reef point on the main sail.

Here is my question to those that have used roller reefing:  Since the sail distorts when rolling up on the boom, what would happen if one added say a small towel while rolling? Would the bulk of a thick rag compensate for the lack of a uniform roll and bring back a proper sail shape?

If you-all think that might work, I might go ahead and replace the non-roller with the standard gooseneck.  Or would adding a second reef point be a better idea?

Thanks for you thoughts!

My sweetheart had her arm cast removed yesterday and the Fall wind will soon be at Smith Mountain Lake in Central Virginia!  The first launch date approaches!

Dave

[romei]

I tried it several times using foam pieces out of old life jackets and such, but never with any success.

[skip1930]

Hey I'm the proud new owner of a regular 'O dumb phone. No iphone #?? whatever for me.

But that's not the purpose of this post.

YOU may be better off without a rolling~furling boom.
What skipper wants to roll up the main sail plus the sheet and lines and battle with just about everything else being in the way?

When properly finished roller furling, you still have a mess.
And to go to shake it out?? Forget it.
Nobody has enough balance to stand up and pull out the boom to spin out the rolled sail on the high seas. Think about it. Do you ever want to see your family again?

Better stay on the dock or sail with too much canvas.

Give me a call but don't expect a text message or detailed pictures explaining procedures in return.

skip.

[kickingbug1]

   i know one guy, hell of a sailor, who can actually handle rolling the main on the boom. i dont think he has ever reefed his main on his 16. as for me i have tried it and im with skip on this one. far too much to do in a small space in very little time. i have never reefed my main even in 20 mph winds. that little mainsail is just too small to matter much anyway. i use my mainsheet  and roller furled jib to depower if need be. these little boats will heel past 30 degrees safely and at that angle loose pretty much air anyway.

[jamato323]

I'm with Skip and Kicher on this. Even though my '81 has it, I've only used it in the driveway for practice. If the seas get high enough that I need it...I shouldn't be out in the first place...Yammi starts on first pull and I'm gone.

[skip1930]

Mercury starts on the third pull and I'm away.

lol skip.

[Citroen/Dave]

Thanks guys.  I'll opt for a second reef point next season if I think I need it after doing some sailing.

[Pacman]

If the wind comes up unexpectedly you can usually continue to sail well by luffing the main, that is, letting it out until it starts to flutter and the bringing it in just enough so it settles down.

C-16s are really forgiving and let you sail that way and you will still be able to make forward progress and maintain control until the wind calms down.

My motto: When in doubt, let it out.

[Citroen/Dave]

Thanks, Pacman.

Sounds like you just properly trimmed the main.  Maybe it is too easy to overtrim.  I can see where it also may be too easy to get the main sheet in the jamb cleat.  I think I will still put in a second line of reef points, next season, to have an option on the water.  I don't like the idea of roller reefing, anyway.

Dave

[Bob23]

Dave:
   A friend of mine sails a 1970 Morgan 30 with factory roller reefing. It worked ok but instead of a  simple boom vang, it used an awkward horseshoe shaped bracket with rollers which fit over the boom. Wierd, but it worked as a preventer also.
   Long story short, when he had a new main built, of course he had reef points sewn in. It's the simplist way to reef the main, in my opinion. My 23 has 2 sets of reef points and, even in high winds, I can reef the main in under a minute. Good enough for me.
   Hope this helps. Keep us posted about how your first launch goes! Happy sailing!
bob23