no reef hook on boom?

[Geoff]

Please tell me, or better yet, show me, how you are reefing your Compac 23. I have the clew end down pat, but not sure what to do for the tack. In place of the right way to do it, I remove the tack from the pin and then hold that reef grommet in the same spot on that pin. Seems a bit u seamanlike and slow, and just not a good idea to release the tack, so I would love to hear about what you are doing.

On the plus side, going to be a gypsy for ther next couple weekeds. Off to drop the hook in some new coves....

Cheers,
Geoff

[brackish]

You need to add a tack bracket to your gooseneck.  Or if you already have the bracket without the hook, have a hook welded on.  About $25 at Dwyer.

[skip1930]

I have the 'hooks' but when lowering the main sail to tie the sail down to the boom the eye in the sail usually falls below the end of the hook and falls off the hook. Not a problem but just a pain.

skip.

[brackish]

I have the 'hooks' but when lowering the main sail to tie the sail down to the boom the eye in the sail usually falls below the end of the hook and falls off the hook. Not a problem but just a pain.

skip.

A little confused.  Do you have a reefing line led forward  by a cheek block to pull down the clew end and cleat it off on the boom?  I usually pull that tight then tension the tack end with the halyard, all while standing at the mast.  The trick is getting the slack out of the halyard between the deck block and the clutch, but I just walk it back then pull the slack out.  Then after all is tight I tie the excess foot material to the boom.

Of course my best plan is to look at the conditions and reef before I ever leave the dock.

[jgsharpe]

I attached a reef hook to a short length of line and fastened to the cleat at the base of the mast.  The hook sits right at the gooseneck and holds the tack of the main sheet when reefed.  Cheap alternative to replacing the gooseneck or having a reef hook welded on.

[Geoff]

OK, so 3 options:

1. Continue to put the cringle grommet into the gooseneck. Totally OK when done at dock, not so tempting while underway since one end of the sail is completely released
2. Weld on hook. The right thing to do, but means $ and time to find a SS welder.
3. Use jgsharpe's idea of attaching hook to a line to the cleat low on mast.

Good ideas folks!

Thank you.
Geoff

[Shawn]

I use my cunningham for reefing the tack.

Shawn

[Geoff]

A cunningham would be perfect ... if I had a cunningham.

[HideAway]

I just tie the tack to a cleat on the mast as well.  We also have a hook that fits on the tack pin but it is such a pain to use I finally took it off.  I find the cunningham is great for small adjustments but does not help in reefing.   Its a good idea to learn how to reef under way.  We have been caught a few times in high seas and strong wind - it is well worth your time to practice-trust me on that  M

[wes]

I suffered from Reefing Frustration Sundrome until I bought a twisted shackle. I keep it attached to the reefing grommet in the sail at all times, and slip it onto the reefing hook on the boom gooseneck when it's time to reef. Much, much easier than wrestling with getting the sail grommet onto the hook directly.

Wes

[Bob23]

Wes that is ingenius. Thank you so much. I have a short length of line that I wrap around the reefing hook but I may change to the twisted shackle. thanks.
Bob23