Single Line Reefing. Any tips?

[Off Trail]

We have single line slab reefing on our Catalina 42. Not my favorite system but convenient with the reefing done all from the cockpit. We normally sail with just the second and third reefs rigged.

The last time we changed the lines out I partially stripped the covers to reduce friction. This helped a little but took quite a bit of work and it was difficult to attach the standing ends around the boom with no covers. We also had dye staining problems with the Warpspeed core colors.

We're getting ready to replace the lines this fall and I'm wondering if anyone has ideas or recommendations either for line type/brand, or rigging ideas to reduce friction in the system and/or help manage the reefing lines.

[NakedCity]

You have already figured out that smaller line diameter has less friction. Another thing thats helps is to use low friction rings sewn to your sail instead of passing lines through the stainless steel grommets which most sails are made with. Most important improvement is an electric winch !

[Marathon1150]

Single line reefing is also not my favourite. One boat has it, the other uses 2 lines and both at the mast.

The boat with single line reefing has blocks sewn on to the luff and I have added low friction rings to the leech as has been suggested by the previous post. The rings have helped but I am exploring ways to convert the system to two lines, but with everything still managed from the cockpit.

[Off Trail]

Thanks guys. I'll give the low friction rings a try. I can set up one reef point with two lines instead of one, so that will help, but don't have enough clutches to do both.
Cheers.

[Stu Jackson]

Yes, go to double line reefing.

[AKA-None]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Yes, go to double line reefing.

This
Two line reefing is far easier and better adjustment options

[Bill O]

Antal reefing blocks, this is my tip. Work well and reduces a ton of friction.

Agree, go w/ 2 line reefing.

[Don C L]

It's a lot of spaghetti, but you might consider the single or double line reefing only for the deepest reef, when you probably will prefer to stay in the cockpit.

[Kestrahl]

These are low friction rings that attach to the press rings in the sail
https://www.rutgerson.se/rutgerson-i...n-for-reefing/

[Lake-Effect]

Heh - even on our small 19' boat, I prefer 2-line reefing. It produces better tension, and seems no slower than single-line reefing, especially when you have to start tugging that single line at the clew and the tack to even things out.

[siamese]

I cringed a little when I read "single line reefing".

When I got my Catalina 28, it had single line, and it worked poorly. I changed it to two line reefing with cheek blocks on the side of the boom. MUCH better.

I didn't find changing to two line to be any more difficult than reducing friction would have been.

I sold the 28 last week, and I'm getting a Catalina 315 in a few days, that probably has single line (this 315 has slab reefing). I'll try the single line once. Who knows...but I won't be at all shy about changing to two line.

Reefing shouldn't be difficult/impossible.

[jamhass]

Besides the low-friction rings, etc, consider using dynema (or other slippery line) as reef lines. You can add covers for winching, clutching and handling.