What knot would be best to secure the leech reefing lines to the boom?

[Corsair 2]

My Seldon boom with single line reefing includes instructions on how to run the lines, and they show bowlines (and that is what I use and have never had a problem with the knot/slippage, etc.).

[tstano]

3 RUNNING BOWLINE

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by MLOI

We moved to spectra reefing lines for the low friction.
So we have a spliced eye on the end and use a soft shackle through the eye and around the vertical standing part of the reefing line. The layout is the same as using a running bowline around this standing section of the reefing line.

Worked well for the 6 months we lived aboard last year. Using spectra means I didn't need to have blocks attached to the sail for single line reefing.

Massive overkill in strength though.

Mike

Mike
I like this approach. How did you handle the other end of the reef line? Beef it up we with a cover to grab in in clutch?

[rgleason]

I like the running bowline as it is easier to get close to the boim.

[Djarraluda]

Originally Posted by estarzinger

At various times I used the running bowline and buntline, but prefered the timber hitch (I would put a stopper knot on the end of the tail) - they all create the right lead and are secure - its advantage is it is always pretty easy to undo even after very high load - sometimes it is useful/necessary to untie these - when taking off the sail, or sometimes useful to be able to move on reef line to another spot, the timber hitch is the easiest to do that with.

Plus 1 here, has to be the Timber Hitch as it does not over tighten itself under high load

[Tillsbury]

Running bowline definitely, ie loop the reefing line round the boom then tie it to itself with a bowline. Doesn’t undo, locks down to the boom, easily undone however tight it gets.

[silversailor]

A bowline is a mistake. When it is not under tension it can loosen and then when you reef, come untied (my experience). Instead look at a water bowline. Looks more secure.

[AKA-None]

Or forget the knot and splice an eye on the line?

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by AKA-None

Or forget the knot and splice an eye on the line?

Certainly can, but then you can’t end for end unless you have the length to cut out the spliced eye. Then you’re back to knots.

Slightly off topic, for halyard use, a spliced eye and any additional wear cover are very useful, especially for 2:1 halyards that terminate at the top. We’ve done this for both our main and gennaker halyards, but will need to cut all that out when we eventually end for end.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by silversailor

A bowline is a mistake. When it is not under tension it can loosen and then when you reef, come untied (my experience).

Two words: "dress" and "set".

[rgleason]

We'll try a timber hitch.

[Suijin]

I’ve been using a running bowline since I was a kid. I’ve never had a properly tied and set knot come loose and never had a knot get so tight it was hard to undo. In fact I never occurred to me that it might be point of weakness in either respect. And easy untying is important to me as I have three reef points but only two reefing lines. I also tie critical bowlines with long tails.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Suijin

I’ve been using a running bowline since I was a kid. I’ve never had a properly tied and set knot come loose and never had a knot get so tight it was hard to undo. In fact I never occurred to me that it might be point of weakness in either respect. And easy untying is important to me as I have three reef points but only two reefing lines. I also tie critical bowlines with long tails.

Another rule of thumb: minimum tail 5 times rope diameter for critical bowlines.

[Jimmyhenry]

The most important issue is where you lead the reef line around the boom. Most sailors incorrectly take the reef line under the boom and then back between the sail and the boom to a running bowline on the reef line. When under tension this does not lock nicely. The correct method is to run the reef line first between the sail and the boom and then under the boom back to a running bowline on the reef line. Try it. You will be impressed with the improvement.

[Jim Cate]

If you are worried about a bowline slipping, a simple seizing around tail and standing part, or a couple of stitches in the same place will guarantee permanency. I do this on all important bowlines and similar knots.

Jim