Generally, if you are asking yourself the question “should I reef?”, you should.
As they say, “the time to reef is when you first think about it”. Reason being, you’re probably paying for any extra drive from full main & genoa with a LOT more leeway, which rather defeats the object on a beat.
However there are occasions when you might want to push things a little. For example on a short beat from start to windward mark before easing to a reach, you might accept the penalty of being over-canvassed for a short period. But how to do it, whilst minimising leeway and avoiding broaches in the puffs? As ever, it’s all about sail trim…
It’s a given that you will have hardened halyards and Cunningham(s) to pull max-draft forward in the sails, tightened the main outhaul and backstay to flatten and de-power the sails. You’ll also have lowered the main traveller and hardened the mainsheet as much as possible. But you’re still sailing on your ear – what next?
Answer: ‘feather’ the sails.
The genoa is easiest to set up: simply ease the traveller aft to allow the top of the sail to twist off to leeward, de-powering the sail at the top, where most of the heel is being generated. This will also allow the lower part of the sail to be flattened even more. Note: you’re going to have to take another couple of turns round the winch to be able to sheet in sufficiently in these conditions. If you don’t like the considerable strain you’re now putting on your sail – reef.
The main is a little trickier, particularly if you have swept spreaders, but still do-able. You’re going to ease the vang and balance the twist of the sail by mainsheet and traveller. Helpful if you have an easily adjustable main traveller, of course. First ease the vang a touch, to twist off the head of the sail, then lift the traveller to keep the lower 2/3 of the sail driving. Once adjusted by trial and error, the twist will be controlled primarily by the sheet (but still ‘end-stopped’ by the vang) and the traveller positioned to keep the lower sail full and the upper sail de-powered without trashing it against the spreaders.
Handling-wise, ease the mainsheet slightly in the puffs (which will feather the head of the sail even more, with the vang eased) and have someone call the puffs so you can pinch into them.
Don’t be concerned by the ‘look’ of the sails. Their heads will be luffing, but the bulk of the sail will be driving and heel markedly reduced.
Next time we have a bit of a breeze why not head out and experiment? Things to compare: boat speed v’s heel and leeway, or beat towards a waypoint and play with VMG on your plotter. Good luck!
JF / Oct 08