To Reef or Not To Reef
That is often the question. There are many theories and opinions out there regarding when to reef a sail. We hesitate to add ours to the mix so we'll preface this by saying that this is what works for us on Merengue, our Island Packet 27. We, like many others, have been guilty of not reefing our sails soon enough. If you feel the wind has increased to the point where you really need to reef, it is usually too late to safely do so. Reefing Merengue's mainsail is a two step process. The two reefing lines can be handled from the cockpit. But, tying in the reef points involves standing on top of the cabin and bracing yourself against the boom. This is very difficult and potentially dangerous in big wind and sea conditions. We can decrease the size of our roller-furled genoa from the cockpit but it is very difficult to furl a headsail in high winds. The key is to make this critical decision before it becomes necessary, which is sometimes easier said then done. We truly believe that one size does not fit all when it comes to deciding when to reef your sails. So consider the following when making the decision for yourself, your crew and your boat.
How much wind are you comfortable with? When we were day-sailing Merengue on Lake Michigan we usually looked for a forecast of about 10-15 knots of wind and seas of 4 feet or less. When the wind approached 20 knots, we were reefing. We now find that as we ocean sail in very different sea conditions than on the Great Lakes, we are comfortable, in fact we prefer 15-20 knots of wind. Merengue is now a fully-loaded cruising boat and we need more wind to move her along! We usually consider reefing with winds over 20 knots. We have been caught in squall conditions with winds to 30 knots and been under full mainsail. Luckily these squalls were short in duration. The boat handled beautifully but it would have been much easier on her and us if we had anticipated the wind increase in time to reef.
How much can you and your crew handle? You may think more wind might give you great speed, but sea conditions are also a factor in comfort and safety. Reefing your boat's sails and slowing the boat down may match the speed to the waves or swell giving you a more comfortable ride. This is particularly true in downwind conditions where you might experience waves breaking on the stern. Most of the time, the boat won't lose speed under a reefed sail, but the boat will settle down and the ride will be much more comfortable. Remember, this is supposed to be fun!
Reefing will also pay off in the decreased wear and tear on your boat and sails. We've seen the devastated looks on sailors' faces when they come in to a harbor with a ripped main or jib. This can usually be avoided by reefing the sail to decrease sail area and reduce stress on the sail..
If you will be sailing your boat overnight we'd advise you to reef your sails before sundown. You'll want to minimize the amount of deck work that you'll need to do in the dark. If the sea and wind conditions remain good, you can easily shake out the reef.
You are the best judge of when it's time to reef your sails. Remember that sooner is always better than later. Later usually means you're too late!
Fair Winds!
Jim & Wendy Ulik
"S/V Merengue"