Very well done, man. I like that you don't gloss over the "why reef" question with that overly-used answer "when you think about reefing, it's probably time to reef." You've taken the time and effort to explain the extra drag and excessive leeway that being overly-heeled causes then you've gone on to explain how sometimes on a short race leg, you might just want to put up with being overpowered (and the inefficiencies of being excessively heeled) because of time lose when putting in and shaking out such a reef. A+ sir.
Excellent job on the explanation and graphics. Made it all VERY clear. Would have been nice to see a demo of you doing the reef with your dual control cabling and how that is set up on your new sail. Thanks again!!
Great video! Thank you. It's not easy for a beginner to link all the various points that you've discussed. The computerized pictures are quite helpful. Wish you have footage of your reefing system.
I have a single line reef setup and to reduce friction I’ve replaced the 10mm ropes that came originally with 8mm dynema, complemented with blocks in the cringles. Both reef lines (1st and 2nd) are redirected to the cockpit. Super easy and never had a problem, even singlehanded.
I did the exactly the same, and mostly agree - I'm not sure why this isn't more common because it reduce the number of lines lead aft (I was/am limited on blocks at the base of the mast and clutches in the cockpit). That said, one problem is that it ends up being a very long pull to the get the reef in since it must reduce at 2 ends of the sail, and there isn't as much control in sequencing the tack before the clew. For me single-handing, it works pretty well, however and if nothing else the reduction in friction is a huge benefit, so even if not jiffy reefed, I would still recommend a block at the reef clew rather than running the line with friction over the cringle.
Thank you very much for this video, as newbie sailor this really helped. I think that a problem for many new sailors like me is that we get to learn the ropes in competition settings and when we start to cruise on our own, many of our learnd behaviors are wrong.
You are welcome. I also held racers in high regard when I started, but after a while you learn that there is a lot more to sailing than upwind - downwind mark rounding. Have fun!
I totally agree about the two independent leech and luff reefing lines. I sail solo or double handed and reefing in 30 seconds is a breeze (no pun intended)
It would be interesting to see a graph of the two scenarios (full sail plan vs. reefed main) which shows where the boat speed or VMG curves intersect for your boat so as to be able to tell exactly when you should begin reefing to make the best progress?
It has been quite a few years since I did this work, and it would be difficult for me to create that plot now. I do remember that the inflection point corresponded to about 20 degrees of heel. If the boat was heeled more than that, then the added leeway was greater than any added boat speed in terms of VMG.
@@jamesconger8509 Thanks for your reply. I assume that angle of heel would be different from boat to boat depending on the different variables, but should it be relatively close to the 20º heel for most? Really enjoy your analysis...
I don't know. Some of the newer Hull shapes are so different from what I'm sailing that the results could be quite different. I was sailing in very strong conditions yesterday and it reminded me that the boat tells you when you are pushing too hard. Probably best to listen to the boat!
Excellent in depth presentation. I am curious, though, you did not mention reducing the jib area. When you reef, do you reduce the size of your jib either by rolling in the jib via a roller furler or do you use a smaller jib?
The boat I am modeling is a J/32 which has a relatively small jib and large mainsail. My reefing order is to put in reefs 1 and 2 in the mainsail before reefing the jib. It was strong enough a couple of weeks ago that the jib eventually was put away completely and we just sailed with a double-reefed main. I suspect with designs that have a relatively large jib and small mainsail that you would reef the jib first, but I don't have any scientific basis for demonstrating that.
Very well done, man. I like that you don't gloss over the "why reef" question with that overly-used answer "when you think about reefing, it's probably time to reef." You've taken the time and effort to explain the extra drag and excessive leeway that being overly-heeled causes then you've gone on to explain how sometimes on a short race leg, you might just want to put up with being overpowered (and the inefficiencies of being excessively heeled) because of time lose when putting in and shaking out such a reef.
A+ sir.
Thanks Scott.
Scott Cates A
Excellent job on the explanation and graphics. Made it all VERY clear. Would have been nice to see a demo of you doing the reef with your dual control cabling and how that is set up on your new sail. Thanks again!!
Great video! Thank you. It's not easy for a beginner to link all the various points that you've discussed. The computerized pictures are quite helpful. Wish you have footage of your reefing system.
I have a single line reef setup and to reduce friction I’ve replaced the 10mm ropes that came originally with 8mm dynema, complemented with blocks in the cringles. Both reef lines (1st and 2nd) are redirected to the cockpit. Super easy and never had a problem, even singlehanded.
I did the exactly the same, and mostly agree - I'm not sure why this isn't more common because it reduce the number of lines lead aft (I was/am limited on blocks at the base of the mast and clutches in the cockpit). That said, one problem is that it ends up being a very long pull to the get the reef in since it must reduce at 2 ends of the sail, and there isn't as much control in sequencing the tack before the clew. For me single-handing, it works pretty well, however and if nothing else the reduction in friction is a huge benefit, so even if not jiffy reefed, I would still recommend a block at the reef clew rather than running the line with friction over the cringle.
Thank you very much for this video, as newbie sailor this really helped. I think that a problem for many new sailors like me is that we get to learn the ropes in competition settings and when we start to cruise on our own, many of our learnd behaviors are wrong.
You are welcome. I also held racers in high regard when I started, but after a while you learn that there is a lot more to sailing than upwind - downwind mark rounding. Have fun!
Thanks for the reefing tips You have explained it very well
Excellent and informative video! Thanks!
Excellent Videos! Any comments on the hull dynamics if we are talking about a Catamaran, since no heeling??
@jimmyboy6639 Sorry. I don't have any background in cats.
Thank you. Great explaination
I totally agree about the two independent leech and luff reefing lines. I sail solo or double handed and reefing in 30 seconds is a breeze (no pun intended)
It would be interesting to see a graph of the two scenarios (full sail plan vs. reefed main) which shows where the boat speed or VMG curves intersect for your boat so as to be able to tell exactly when you should begin reefing to make the best progress?
It has been quite a few years since I did this work, and it would be difficult for me to create that plot now. I do remember that the inflection point corresponded to about 20 degrees of heel. If the boat was heeled more than that, then the added leeway was greater than any added boat speed in terms of VMG.
@@jamesconger8509 Thanks for your reply. I assume that angle of heel would be different from boat to boat depending on the different variables, but should it be relatively close to the 20º heel for most? Really enjoy your analysis...
I don't know. Some of the newer Hull shapes are so different from what I'm sailing that the results could be quite different. I was sailing in very strong conditions yesterday and it reminded me that the boat tells you when you are pushing too hard. Probably best to listen to the boat!
Excellent in depth presentation. I am curious, though, you did not mention reducing the jib area. When you reef, do you reduce the size of your jib either by rolling in the jib via a roller furler or do you use a smaller jib?
The boat I am modeling is a J/32 which has a relatively small jib and large mainsail. My reefing order is to put in reefs 1 and 2 in the mainsail before reefing the jib. It was strong enough a couple of weeks ago that the jib eventually was put away completely and we just sailed with a double-reefed main. I suspect with designs that have a relatively large jib and small mainsail that you would reef the jib first, but I don't have any scientific basis for demonstrating that.
Thank you for sharing! 🙏
You are welcome!
Great video!
This presentation is beyond excellent. Thanks. PS: where do the excellent graphics come from?
Thanks. The graphics are explained in video 1 of the series.
Great shirt where did you get it
Good job
Great
ty
Very informative discussion. I think I'll be a little better sailor - at least a more knowledgeable one.