Specifications

WPOperatingManual Page - 27 - Revised: August 12, 2009
H. Sail Handling
1. Mainsail Reefing System
The procedure for reefing the mainsail is to first bring the boat to a close haul or tight reach course (if
you are doing this single handed it is best to be a little bit off the wind since the autopilot will not
respond to a wind shift and may lose speed if the wind shifts forward during the reefing maneuver) and
then loosen the main sheet until there is a large bubble at the luff of the mainsail. This relieves all
pressure on the luff and the sail can be easily lowered or raised while still sailing. Check to see that the
topping lift is taunt and secured so that the boom will not come down on to the Bimini when the
halyard is released. Next, release the main halyard and have someone at the mast pull the mainsail
down until the appropriate reefing cringle can be hooked over the reefing hook. Then tighten the main
halyard until the proper tension is felt at the luff of the sail. Next tighten the appropriate reefing
outhaul until the foot of the sail is tight. The secondary winch will be used to tighten the reefing
outhaul. When the foot is tightened appropriately, the cringle at the leech of the sail through which the
outhaul passes should be close to the boom, the leech of the sail should be supporting the boom and the
topping lift should be loose. Finally, steer back to the desired course then trim the main.
To shake out a reef bring the boat back to a close haul or tight reach course and loosen the main sheet
until there is a large bubble at the luff. Release the reefing outhaul line and be sure that it is running
free. Then release the main halyard about two inches and have crew go to the mast and remove the
reefing cringle from the reefing hook. Raise the main using the secondary winch if necessary. It is
better if the crew at the mast can raise the main by swaying the halyard (pulling the halyard
perpendicular to the mast then down) with someone at the winch taking up the slack. The winch should
only be needed for the last inch or so of halyard tensioning. If you use the winch to raise the sail
(necessary if you do not have a second person to work at the mast) be very careful to winch slowly and
allow a few seconds between turns on the winch to allow the sail slugs to work their way up the mast
as they may tend to bind even though there is no significant pressure on the luff of the sail. The winch
is powerful enough to rip the head out of the main if you continue to crank and the slugs are jammed.
While raising the sail be sure that the reefing outhaul line is running free and has not jammed as you
can rip the leech of the sail if the outhaul is preventing the leech of the sail to rise while you are
cranking up on the halyard.
2. Jib Reefing System
The jib is most easily reefed while running off the wind on a very broad reach. On this point of sail you
ease the jib sheet until the sail begins to luff and then pull in on the furling line. You should be able to
do this by hand but the secondary winch may be used if needed.
If you must reef the jib while on a close reach you will probably have to use the secondary winch to
pull in the furling line. Ease the sheet as much as possible without the clew flogging too much and
crank in the furling line as quickly as possible. In a strong wind the clew will be very dangerous to any
crew members on the deck and all crew should be kept as far away from the clew as possible. This puts
great pressure on the reefing equipment and should only be done when it would be dangerous to fall
off on to a broad reach long enough to reef on that point of sail.