dorienc wrote:
I just got my sail back from North Sails in Zenda (How cool that Melges is only an hour away. And it's cool to see high performance sailboats being made in the middle of the cornfields of Wisconsin!).
Jimmy did a beautiful job adding the reef points! I'll post a photo, I promise. Thanks for your photos, ClamCounter. It made it easy to show Jimmy what I wanted.
I got the 12" aluminum luff track like Matt suggested. Now I have to figure out how to cut the plastic one without damaging the comp tip.
On the subject of cleating the halyard vs using the mast tip hook, it occurred to me that I could measure the length of the reef, and tie a figure 8 knot into the halyard that distance down from the metal hooking piece. I'd put a small washer above the knot on the halyard, so the mast hook doesn't cut the knot. This would allow me to reef when I'm underway. What do you all think? Do you see any problems with this setup?
Too bad you didn't have them install a sail slug at the top-then you wouldn't need the aluminum track (which I don't understand why you need it anyway unless you plan on installing it where the reef point will be-is that the plan?)
I don't think your plan of making a knot in the halyard will work simply because the resulting knot will be too bulky. I would suggest a stopper knot instead of a figure 8 because 8s tend to roll under load. Also, the washer will move unless you crimp it somehow over the knot.
I haven't had to reef yet. This is only my second season with the boat. With 2 on board we've been fine up to 25 kt winds. I only installed the reef points for the occasions when I'm solo in that sorts of wind, I don't foresee sailing in anything stronger if I can help it.