OK - my plan was to spend the winter doing the frostbite series in the RS400 (the other boat).<br /><br />Was up two weeks ago and we chickened out in F6-7 while a bunch of kids went out in toppers!&nbsp; Not to be beaten today we headed out in F5, gusting 6 and the odd 7.&nbsp; We ripped the jib before we even finished launching!<br /><br />So it now looks like getting out in the RS for the frosty is going to be problem.&nbsp; So plan B comes to mind - take the heron out... we are well over weight for it and the sails etc are already stuffed so we might actually be able to control it!<br /><br />The plan for the winter was to think about new sails (furling jib, new main, add spinny) - but probably the more pressing issue before then will be to get out with what we have - so that begs the question about the best way to reef the main.&nbsp; Everyone out today who stayed the right way up was reefed!<br /><br />Opinions please on roller vs slab reefing.&nbsp; My experience of reefing has always been roller.<br /><br />I have gaff rig.&nbsp; Main currently has no reefing points.<br /><br />Also - as an extra - my rudder has a lot of play between tiller and stock - thoughts on stiffening that up please... (its got a metal U shape inverted over the top of the stock to hold it on rather than the one part tiller and stock.<br /><br />Anything else I need to think about for this heavy weather sailing?<br /><br />Calum<br /><br />

Calum, I to am wondering about reefing the mainsail on my Heron, but have no idea on how to go about it. I have the original wooden gunter rig setup, ther does not appear to be any immediate way of reefing the sail in its current form. Can anyone help me out here? I was hoping to download the info in the Tech section, but the reefing part is not availble for download. Does anyone have a copy they can email me?<br />Thanks

Hi Micky,

Well I decided to take the plunge and buy a new sail this year. It came with reefing points already in it (also for a gaff rig.) So thats for slab reefing - it has eyes in the sail - you role the bottom of the sail up and attach the sail to the boom with the eyes. Its a loose footed sail. Not used it yet!

On the other hand - you should be able to roll the sail around the boom with any heron sail?

Calum

There are two simple methods I have seen used. The first is to attach a towel or sheet to the end of the kicking strap that attaches to the boom normally. Lay the 'towel' on the bottom of the sail and then roll the bottom of the sail 2-3 times around the boom. This traps the towel tightly and allows you to use teh kicking strap as normal. The other simpler approach is to tie a 2-3 foot length of 4 mm line between the boom and the top of the kicking strap. As with the towel, just roll up the sail 2-3 times around the boom. Again, this allows you to easily use the kicking strap. Since the kicking strap allows you to flatten the sail during heavy winds and you are most likely reef the sail in heavy winds, maintaining the function of the kicking strap is very important.

Thanks Chris - never seen a towel used but have seen a small sail bug used. As a school boy who sailed at a school sailing club (were people worried about killing children!) we used to reef a lot and we had webbing strapping connected to line which then shackled to the kicker. Knowing you guys the towel will be from the bar at O'Connels?

We used to put a tuck in to maintain better sail shape.

The good news is that i have got copies of the Assoc info sheets on the two methods and I'll get them, on the website in a few days (currently dealing with the Autumn Newsletter which has a pressing deadline, and a boat thats in lots of bits!

Calum

For those with Gaff Rigs who reef frequently, here is a problem and a possible solution. Problem: When you reef the sail perhaps two turns around the boom, you will find that it is no longer possible to pull the gaff completely vertical and up tight against the mast. The gaff is usually left about 12-18 inches away from the mast. This dramatically alters the sail shape particularly up at the top of the sail on the leech. With the gaff not vertical, the leech opens up dumping a large amount of air. This also allows the boom to drop very low making it a danger and forcing the crew to keep their heads way down on all tacks and jibes. Solution: As Calum mentioned earlier, when reefing, put a tuck (of about 6 inches) into the sail at the end of the boom when you start the first reef. This takes up the slack of the sail and pulls the boom higher. To bring the gaff up tight against the mast, add a second 'mast hound' or 'boom bail' to your gaff about 12-18 inches above your existing attachment point on the gaff.

By following the above recommendations, you should be able to keep your boom horizontal and high enough above the crew, you can pull your gaff in tightly against the mast and you can then flatten the sail to reduce the power in the sail under heavy winds.