Reffing the Foresail

Hello! We have the roller furling set up on our H20, and it seems theere is a small groove in the plastic casing for the roller furlting line. I was wondering if anyone had ever tried to use this as a stop for reefing the sail by tying a knot in the line and then hooking it into the groove. This comes up beause this weekend we were blowing along on a screaming reach and we kept burying the leward pontoon, so we had to let the jib sheet way out. That seemed to help but reefing it might be preferable. Thanks!!!! seth

Maybe I'm wrong but I think the groove you are talking about is wear from the furler line. You should have a cleat on the front crossbar that the jib can be controlled thru. On my 18 the cleat is under the crossbar at the tramp lacing. I have several knots in the line for various points of furl. I don't think the furler line is strong enough to hold the jib reefed in strong winds. It will hold it completely furled but not reefed.

A groove next to the line opening in the housing will be caused by the line cutting into the drum if the furler is wound the wrong direction. The line should enter the drum and then wrap around the spool while not contacting the outer housing.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

yeah i thought that groove may have been formed "post installation". we'll have to switch it next year. have any of you guys installed a heavier line on the roller fuller. it seems there is lots of space in there, and i agree that i don't think the factory one will hold up in heavy wind. i'm also worried about the cam cleat as well, because that appears to be plastic.

Pas,
Here's my spin on reefing the jib. If you are burying the leeward pontoon, you need to let the jib out a bit, or stand further back when you hike out. Sometimes you run out of real estate to walk backwards, so you have no choice but to hike out. Also, you need to remember that the jib is what pulls the bow around during at tack, so if you are screaming along and only have half the jib out that's great, but when it comes to tacking you could be in trouble.

My final answer is to dont reef the jib, just let it out bc you will need her full size when you tack.

Captain Noah