This is a shot from a mates video here in Japan.
Reef points on the staysail.
Two reefs already in the main, but look at how small the main would be with the last reef in.

About the same size as a trysail with out all the hassle! With a trysail you get rid of the dangerous boom but this is the most reliable and easy way to get down to minimal sail.

Does the load on the mast produced by the inner forestay need to be balanced with running backstays? I had heard somewhere that if the forestay attaches to the mast within the top 10% of the mast (not the case in the picture) then running backstays weren't needed. Any thoughts from those more knowledgeable than me?

Kinora's main has only 2 reef points and I'm considering getting a third added as suggested by Ramona.

Cheers,
Kinora

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Kinora said..
Does the load on the mast produced by the inner forestay need to be balanced with running backstays? I had heard somewhere that if the forestay attaches to the mast within the top 10% of the mast (not the case in the picture) then running backstays weren't needed. Any thoughts from those more knowledgeable than me?

Kinora's main has only 2 reef points and I'm considering getting a third added as suggested by Ramona.

Cheers,
Kinora

The only reasons I can see for runners is if the boom extends past the back of the boat or if it's a gaff

RE Kinora's main has only 2 reef points and I'm considering getting a third added as suggested by Ramona.
Nothing wrong with an extra reef. but the boom on a small boat would be really crowded.
To reef I would use the ramshorns at the goosneck for the tack. Have a wire strop made up with a hook on each end for the outhaul and a dymeema oft skackle for the clew tie down. At the third reef sail shape would be the least of my worrie


RE The only reasons I can see for runners is if the boom extends past the back of the boat or if it's a gaff

This is a 23 foot cutter with a mast like a log.
So it seems that running backstays are not necessary.
Off the stern is a boomkin and the rearstay (and windvane) are mounted there.

Gary

My 3-reef main has a strop with a ring either end through each luff-edge reef point. This makes it super-easy to put a ring on each side of the rams horn. If I'm at war with it I can attach one relatively easily and drag the other one down with the cunningham. If i ever get another one built I will make sure to get the same again.

Hi Jon.
How do you secure the clew of the third reef?

gary

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garymalmgren said..
Hi Jon.
How do you secure the clew of the third reef?

gary

It's all loose Gary. Out of the sheave in the boom end, through the cringle and lash onto the boom. I'm getting better at remembering not to lash the mainsheet to the boom when I do it!

I actually currently have only one reefing line in the clew end which I usually fix before I go out. If I'm single-handing I will usually chuck second or third reef in before I go. I have a sheaves in the boom for another reef-line which I need to get sorted soon then I can go out with 2nd reef down and 3rd ready to go.

It is all a horrible proposition for being offshore in a blow at night which I have not yet tested.

I did speculate about the recent fatalities whether they occured not during a chinese gybe but during sail-handling. Very easy to imagine getting a boom hard in the face whilst trying to reef in a serious blow.

Edit: I just read your post about storm trysail - adds weight to the idea of having reefs ready to go.....!

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Kinora said..
Does the load on the mast produced by the inner forestay need to be balanced with running backstays? I had heard somewhere that if the forestay attaches to the mast within the top 10% of the mast (not the case in the picture) then running backstays weren't needed. Any thoughts from those more knowledgeable than me?

Kinora's main has only 2 reef points and I'm considering getting a third added as suggested by Ramona.

Cheers,
Kinora

If you can't get enough tension on the inner stay with out pulling the mast out of column you need a means of offsetting that tension.
If your cranking on the staysail halyard and the inner stay is going loose the mast is bending and you need to offset that tension.

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Kinora said..
Does the load on the mast produced by the inner forestay need to be balanced with running backstays? I had heard somewhere that if the forestay attaches to the mast within the top 10% of the mast (not the case in the picture) then running backstays weren't needed. Any thoughts from those more knowledgeable than me?

Kinora's main has only 2 reef points and I'm considering getting a third added as suggested by Ramona.

Cheers,
Kinora

I put an inner forestay on my S&S34. Joe Walsh fitted it and as you say he had it within 10% of the top of the mast. On the Lord Howe trips we experienced some high winds, over 50kts relative, and there was no mast flexing. My boat had a very solid mast, it was the same dimensions as my sister's Valiant 40.

Many thanks for all of the helpful replies. This, plus the other recent thread on reefs versus storm sails, has been really useful.

K.

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MorningBird said..

Kinora said..
Does the load on the mast produced by the inner forestay need to be balanced with running backstays? I had heard somewhere that if the forestay attaches to the mast within the top 10% of the mast (not the case in the picture) then running backstays weren't needed. Any thoughts from those more knowledgeable than me?

Kinora's main has only 2 reef points and I'm considering getting a third added as suggested by Ramona.

Cheers,
Kinora

I put an inner forestay on my S&S34. Joe Walsh fitted it and as you say he had it within 10% of the top of the mast. On the Lord Howe trips we experienced some high winds, over 50kts relative, and there was no mast flexing. My boat had a very solid mast, it was the same dimensions as my sister's Valiant 40.

Yeah , I put a removable inner stay on my boat too,
I placed the inner stay opposite the head of the deep reefed Mainsail to offset mainsheet tension that can be acting on that area of the mast when reefed. I added a couple of check stays to stiffen the whole lot up and it works well.