Emergency reefing? What would you do?

[Rockinar]

In case your reefing system broke, track, line, block, sheaves, whatever the case. What would you do as a backup?

Could you simply tie the reefing cringle to the boom?

What would you do?

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by Rockinar

In case your reefing system broke, track, line, block, sheaves, whatever the case. What would you do as a backup?

Could you simply tie the reefing cringle to the boom?

What would you do?

Go to the next reef, then worry about cleaning up and/or repairing the damaged reef.

If already at the final reef and it fails, then either lower the main all the way or hoist it to the next reef, whichever is appropriate based on the conditions.

[Searles]

Long before the so called modern systems for reefing of the mainsail even gaff rigs is to pull down the sail tie the reef points to or around the boom or the foot of the sail ,re hoist the reefed sail ,verry simple verry easy ⛵️⚓️

[Benz]

You can tie the cringle straight to the boom. If getting the clew down to the boom is difficult, you could tie a short line around the boom, feed it through the cringle (provided you can reach it safely), and haul down on the other end.

[Calif.Ted]

I use a reefing horn at the gooseneck and a Whichard halyard shackle on the outhaul for use at the clew if needed.

[kayakerChuck]

Yesterday, sailing on a friend's boat, I had to use 3 sail ties as we didn't have lines rigged for the second reef. Or lines to run.

One sail tie from the tack cringle around the boom. One from the clew around the boom, and another tie pulling the clew towards the back of the boom.

It was ugly, but worked fine. My friend may be getting 100' of line for Christmas.