Mast cradles and zipper reefing

Two parts curious about --

Wave 2 Piece Mast Tie Down Kit (part 38650041)
The "Patented Multi-Sail Zipper-Reefing Sail"

Has anyone seen or used the Wave mast cradles setup when trailering? No plans here to glue the mast pieces together. No problems either in putting the mast together and taking it apart.

Do notice that the comp tip plus Bob just barely makes it across the crossbars. Really don't want to take the Bob off to secure the mast on the cradles.

The zipper reefing sail I would just be curious in hearing a description of. Sounds good, but not listed in the catalog...or anywhere that I can find...

It's simply got a bottom section that zips off horizontally and another bead on the hayard wire that lets you use the smaller section of sail. You simply drop the halyard to the next bead, remove the downhaul and mainsheet from the sail, zip off the lower section, and reconnect the downhaul and mainsheet to the grommets on the 'new' bottom of the sail.

Pretty handy, though the two times I've been out on a Wave I can't imagine that any amount of wind would make me want to reef - simply not that much power there.

_________________
Tim
Unofficial Fleet 72 Communications Officer and Div 4 Webmaster
http://www.hobiefleet72.org
http://www.div4.hobieclass.com/

I've been in some conditions that demanded it. It's a bit scary to go downwind in huge wind, capsize, and have the boat blow away from you. I was glad it was on a pretty small lake at the time--and that my very pregnant wife was not aboard.

Dan

_________________
Dan St. Gean
'82 H 18
'96 H Wave

Thanks for the description, tjp.

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One point of argument about that though...

The power is in the wind. I am somewhat surprised that reefing isn't more commonly used or that cat sails aren't more commonly set up for reefing.

I asked an intentional dumb question on cat sailor about reefing but had no takers to kick the rookie.

So, how do the experts here power down sails in unexpected high wind situations if you have only the one sail?

For me, keeping in mind the pure mechanical aspects of sail position with regards to the wind direction and your intended objective!
It's not so much powering down that's important but maintaining complete control Thur intense observations of direction and wind speed. Some examples: You begin to experience high winds and your heading on a down haul towards the beach. To avoid a pitch pole you must pull your main sheet in towards stern thus relieving force off the main sheet and consequently slowing your boat down to a manageable speed allowing wind to pass on either side of the main sheet. The same with pulling a reach across the wind during tack or jibe. Feel your boat and watch the hulls and never lock the main line into the harken block as you will need to allow your main to slip out allowing wind to pass over, slowing the boat.
High wind sailing demands intense observations along with lighting quick reflexes in order to maintain control, concentrate and plan all your moves in advance and remember that the main line is your zipper reefing sail and the more you learn to depend on it the better sailer you are.
P.S. I always thought zipper reefing sails were used on large ships during hurricanes.

Thanks for the response. Ocean/sound sailing in areas where winds are consistently high is much different from other types of location where winds are more variable or much lower...