Hello Gang,
I just got my jiffy reefing kit from Sailrite, they raised the price a bit but it is still a good deal, and I am looking for suggestions on where to set the reefing point. We sail in the Gulf of Mexico and the winds usually range from 8 to 15 kts. The last time we went out was great fun for me and rather scary for my wife. We almost went over in a gust. I was holding the mainsheet and let it out as soon as we started to heel over but a little loop caught in the pulley and held the main in long enough to put the starboard side in the water. The loop popped out as I was reaching for the centerboard and we righted. I sailed to a small island, took down the sails and we motored back to the launch ramp.
My wife didn't like the excitement and hasn't wanted to go back out since so reefing the main is my way to keep things less adventurous. I have assured her that this will make everything better. I want to put the reefing point high enough to calm things down but I am concerned that if I go too high, the jib will overpower the main and make for difficult steering.
We are in our narrow window of great weather, no afternoon storms and not too hot and I want to get out now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I just got my jiffy reefing kit from Sailrite, they raised the price a bit but it is still a good deal, and I am looking for suggestions on where to set the reefing point. We sail in the Gulf of Mexico and the winds usually range from 8 to 15 kts. The last time we went out was great fun for me and rather scary for my wife. We almost went over in a gust. I was holding the mainsheet and let it out as soon as we started to heel over but a little loop caught in the pulley and held the main in long enough to put the starboard side in the water. The loop popped out as I was reaching for the centerboard and we righted. I sailed to a small island, took down the sails and we motored back to the launch ramp.
My wife didn't like the excitement and hasn't wanted to go back out since so reefing the main is my way to keep things less adventurous. I have assured her that this will make everything better. I want to put the reefing point high enough to calm things down but I am concerned that if I go too high, the jib will overpower the main and make for difficult steering.
We are in our narrow window of great weather, no afternoon storms and not too hot and I want to get out now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.