I'm in the process of setting up a reefing system on my Gulf 32 and have settled most everything to my satisfaction except for the tack. I have a standard reefing hook that also serves as the bolt that holds the boom onto the gooseneck. It is about 5 inches tall.
I thought it would be straightforward to use it, but when I set everything up today, I discovered that my new North mainsail, which has the nice Orings pre-installed, does not fit the hook well. What happens is that the reefing Oring is further astern than the hook, so when you hook it on, it puts a crease in the main all the way up the sail. Looks bad, and can't be good for sail shape. Also, when I tension my clew, it pulls back on the reef hook slightly bending it. This cannot be good either, as that force is trying to bend the hook and that is just at the dock without pressure on the sail.
So that is my problem.
I released the tack from the reefing hook and used a sail tie to tie the reef tack into a more natural position so the sail shape was good. This puts that reef tack further back from the mast about 2 inches or more. Then I thought, shoot, is there some way to hook a shackle to the existing tack pin at the gooseneck and disregard the reef hook altogether?
I'm really stuck, and would greatly appreciate advice. Thanks.
