Mark, there is NO single correct answer. Like so many others, if you are sailing and start to think you might should reef it is too late for most sailors. I have been racing when the only one on the boat that thought it wasn’t time to reef was the skipper and we sailed on. Sometimes we won and sometimes we didn’t. My favorite time was flying a spinny just at dusk on a long distance race. We were flying, wind was about 30 kts and several crew members suggested we take down the spinnaker and fly a jib, “NO, NO, not yet…” then the boat nearest us, their spinnaker literally exploded into ribbons and then the skipper thought it might me a good time to reduce sail!
Joe McCary Aeolus II. #4795, West River, MD www.aeoluswestriver.net joe at photoresponse dot com From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of ChefYaz Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 11:01 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [IC27A] When to Reef the main Joe, I apologize for using your post, that I took as a joke to build another joke. The type of sailing I am “doing” is different depending on which type of “sailing” I am “doing” at the time, which is more than likely, different from the type of sailing you enjoy. The original question was “when to reef?”. Who can tell with out knowing the circumstances? The point I was trying to make is, when to reef is different for different situations. If I am racing, I may have a mylar/Kevlar “blade” up on a well tuned rig with a “racing” crew, which will dictate a different wind range in which to reef the main than if I am out for a “booze cruze” w/ my (not so petite) wife, flyin’ a blown out 135 “roller”. Mark, Gratis (6115) NOLA From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Joe McCary Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 8:37 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [IC27A] When to Reef the main And what kind of sailing you are doing. Racing says go as fast as possible, weekend cruising or out fore the day with the wife is different circumstances. My choice is to reef early and fly but those struggling with weather helm and dumping sails. Joe McCary Aeolus II. #4795, West River, MD www.aeoluswestriver.net joe at photoresponse dot com From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of ChefYaz Subject: RE: [IC27A] When to Reef the main Point I’m trying to make is: it’s up to you and your boat and circumstance as to when to shorten sail. Mark, Gratis (6115) NOLA __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5011 (20100408) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5011 (20100408) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5011 (20100408) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com
