intrepid 9M - Sailcare

Reeve the reefing lines through the reefing cringles – the grommets on the luff
and leech that will become your new tack and clew. Pull the tack down to the top
of the boom. Make the line fast to the cleat on the mast. Next, haul on the clew
line, pulling the clew down aft. The clew line runs from a padeye up through the
grommet, down to a cheek block and forward to a cleat. The key to this type of
reefing is to have sufficient tension on the foot of the sail. When the clew has
been pulled out and the foot is tight, make the line fast around the cleat on the
boom.
There are reef “points” in the mainsail of Intrepid Yachts fitted with “Jiffy
Reefing”. Use 18” lengths of 1/4” line and run them through each reef point.
Lead the line through the reef point, under the foot of the sail and tie the reef lines
in a reef knot. This will keep the unused sail out of the way and reduce windage.
It is also the seamanlike procedure.
To shake out the reef, release the lines through the reef points, stow them, and
release the reef line through the reefing cringle that is serving as your clew. Then
release the reef line on the reefing cringle for the tack, and hoist the mainsail so
that the luff is tight.
During the reefing exercise, the topping lift may need to be adjusted. It should
always have some play in it under normal sailing conditions, but during reefing,
some prefer to take up on the topping lift prior to beginning to reef. If this is
done, be sure to slacken it when the reef is completed.
Generally speaking, reefing is desirable when you find yourself heeling more than
20° or wish to slow the boat down to keep it manageable in heavy airs. When
going off the wind, the boat will probably sail as well running under headsails
alone, since the reefed main will usually blanket the headsail. You may wish to
leave the mainsail reefed, furled and ready to hoist when you change direction to
windward.
The following explanation of “Quick Reefing” is out of the catalogue of Schaefer
Marine Products of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and is reprinted here with their
permission.
2.3-3 Sailcare
Sails should be protected from chafe by padding spreaders and other gear or by
installing chafe patches on the sails themselves. Spreaders and shrouds can chafe
genoas and other overlapping jibs when those sails are sheeted in tightly and can
chafe the mainsail when running before the wind. Topping lifts frequently chafe
the leach of mainsails.
Inspect your sails frequently and take care of chafed stitching or small tears
before they become a major problem. A small ditty bag with some thread and a
few sail maker’s tools on board can come in handy and save you a few dollars.
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