Boom-side blocks for jiffy-reefing lines

[Marty McOmber]

Hi forum,

Brion has recommened installing blocks for both jiffy-reefing lines on my mainsail to get a more appropriate downward angle on the clew. Seems easy enough to locate the blooks on the side of the boom. But how do I get a fair lead from those block back to the existing vertical shives at the end of the my boom (where the reefing lines enter the boom)?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Marty

[Brion Toss]

Hi there,
First, the sheaves in the end of the boom are almost always there because it is really easy for a sparbuilder to plug an outhaul/reef module in there, and really hard to land blocks and entrances where they belong. So I recommend that we do what the sparbuilders didn't: install things right. This means bypassing the end-boom sheaves altogether (with the possible exception of very roach-y sails), and cutting entrances in the boom ahead of the new cheek blocks, so the lines can still emerge in the same place forward.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[Brian Duff]

I will make a (vain?) argument to the contrary....

One problem that I find with reef lines lead as BRION suggests is that, with a cheek block on one side of the boom, and a padeye (or line lead under boom from cheek block) on the other is that the Mainsail is caught between the reef line and the block and often the mainsail jams the reefing mechanism, when on a tack that opposes the block, and this may even tear the sail, as has happened to me.

I like the end boom sheaves, as no matter what the owner may do, the reef lines will not tear the sail. The ultimate would be that rig which BRION has suggested, but often the lines are lead such that damage may occur. If you have a system with forward blocks, be sure that the lead and fall of the reef line are on the same side of the mainsail such that cloth may not be bundled by the reef being tucked in, for smooth operation.

FAIR LEADS!

[seawolf]

Hello all,
Did I not read in a previous thread, that if using the cheek blocks on the outside of the boom, that you lead the reefline up through the leech cringle in such as way as the line pulls down on the cringle without bunching the sail between the boom and the line.
Although the lead looks a little funny when the sail is up. Was it with the reefline tied on the boom and coming up on the same side of the sail that the cheek block is on, over the leech and then through the cringle and then down to the cheek block. Do I have this right?
Fairwinds
Seawolf

[Brion Toss]

Hi again,
I forgot to mention that, as Brian noted, the deadend and the cheek block should be on the same side of the sail. We usually lead through the cringle, then around the leach to the block, but I'm not sure it makes a lot of difference.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss