tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-266108914902271629.post7483905776439808530..comments2023-09-25T08:48:48.104-07:00Comments on John Vigor's Blog: Is a third reef necessary?John Vigorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02215080385571534292noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-266108914902271629.post-19719873279488560852011-02-12T08:52:34.937-08:002011-02-12T08:52:34.937-08:00Windward, my Herreshoff 26 (OK, it's a Chrysle...Windward, my Herreshoff 26 (OK, it's a Chrysler, perhaps the Rodney Dangerfield of sailboats, but Halsey was the hired gun and she sails very, very well) has three fairly deep reef points, each reducing the 26 ft luff by 4 ft. <br /><br />On my local mountain lake I'm able to use the 3rd reef a couple of times each winter, when winds are 20-25 kt or more. I don't have pretenses to sailing offshore, but do sail on North Carolina's Pamlico Sound, and up to 25 miles offshore (but inside the gulf stream) from Ocracoke to Cape Fear. I was thankful for the 3rd reef a couple of years ago on Pamlico Sound during several days of small craft advisories, making 5.4 to 5.8 kt upwind using that and about 40 sq ft of headsail. The waves were only 4-6 feet despite the 25-30 kt breeze, so there was no problem getting enough clear air to move the boat. Downwind that sail combination kept me above hull speed most of the time, and I could not have carried more sail safely.<br /><br />Sailing 20-25 miles offshore south of Cape Lookout, I have found it challenging to keep the boat moving when heavily reefed, and have had to carry more sail than I anticipated. I've had the luxury (good fortune? good sense?) of avoiding gale conditions there, so don't yet know whether the third reef would be effective for me then.s/v Windwardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08112679529678368884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-266108914902271629.post-51240127926417045012011-02-01T12:04:09.969-08:002011-02-01T12:04:09.969-08:00Hi Ben:
Yes, most of us are inclined not to fine-...Hi Ben:<br /><br />Yes, most of us are inclined not to fine-tune the exact amount of reef, as you do with such dedication. Most of us are content to be a bit underpowered and get nowhere fast. But you're absolutely right about the need for a good amount of sail area in strong winds, especially in the tough seas you seem to be sailing in, between OZ and NZ. Your frequent reefing and unreefing is certainly earning you points in the black box.<br /><br />Cheers and best wishes,<br /><br />John V.John Vigorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02215080385571534292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-266108914902271629.post-2438900473856749342011-01-31T23:00:54.103-08:002011-01-31T23:00:54.103-08:00My 26 footer ended up with 4 reefs (long story), O...My 26 footer ended up with 4 reefs (long story), One to many, but I used the 4th reef alot around Wellington, across the Tasman and then around Tassie. (3.5 hp outboard so really needed to sail in strong winds). <br /><br />I delivered a 28 footer back to NZ with only two deep reefs... couldn't get the groove right, either too much sail or not enough, really wished I had three moderate reefs.<br /><br />Saying that neither boat had roller reefing headsails so I used the main as my throttle. I reef and unreef often, sometimes a couple of times per watch to keep in that nice comfey groove just below hull speed were the windvane works best.<br /><br />Give me three reefs on any sized sloop or cutter designed for offshore.<br /><br />I enjoy your writing John, and love the black box theory, I apply it alot in real life, it's probably saved me a few times..<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />BenBenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05436730113185275906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-266108914902271629.post-63413212346087498142011-01-29T10:27:09.669-08:002011-01-29T10:27:09.669-08:00Hi Bursledon B:
Yes, I would agree with you that ...Hi Bursledon B:<br /><br />Yes, I would agree with you that moderation in all respects is the way to go with a cruising boat. The extremes of very light displacement and very heavy displacement often have more cons than pros. And Van de Stadt knew what he was doing when he designed the 34. Very nice boat.<br />Have to say, though, that I'm always astonished when people in foreign countries reveal what they know about me. It wasn't actually a Nicholson 31 that I owned, but it was a very close relative, a Performance 31 designed by Angelo Lavranos.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />John V.John Vigorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02215080385571534292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-266108914902271629.post-31568164837933479632011-01-29T10:14:21.020-08:002011-01-29T10:14:21.020-08:00our Van de stadt 34 had three reefs,and hove to pe...our Van de stadt 34 had three reefs,and hove to perfectly for 48 hours in a mid Atlantic gale, was also useful sheeted right in hard as a steadying sail with twin headsails going down win, would stop the rolling.<br /><br />Your experience with a Nic 31 probably says more about the boat than the sails - having tried both types I'm convinced that medium to light displacement and traditional hull from i.e narrow transom is the best all round cruising boat. i'm sure others will disagreeBursledon Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14020592383830135476noreply@blogger.com