BOSUN’S BAG
Jul 10, 2020
4 minutes
WORDS TOM CUNLIFFE ILLUSTRATION MARTYN MACKRILL
REEFING
Reefing the mainsail at sea ought to be routine for any sailor. The essential technique is the same whether you’re on a 2020 state-of-the-art yacht or an 1895 fishing smack. Leaving out luggers, roller reefing booms and, perish the thought, in-mast systems, the order of service goes like this:
• Set up a topping lift
• Ease the luff down with the halyard and secure the tack reef cringle
• Harden the halyard again
• Bring the corresponding clew cringle down to the boom and secure it
• Tie in the reef points
• Let the sail take the weight
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