The Goat Island Skiff group on Facebook has developed a faster reefing system for cruising dinghies. It doesn’t require any special fittings at all, so it is possible to try it out on any cruising dinghy at very little cost. Much faster, more straightforward and very compatible with lug rigs.
Of course, it might not suit everybody, but it is so easy to set up that it makes sense for a lot of us. We can use it while working out more complex and expensive systems!
There are two videos.
Video 1 shows the method of setting up for this type of reef and how to put it into action.
Video 2 is actually using the reefing system on the water to see how long it takes in moderate weather.
The origination of a Faster reefing system for cruising dinghies
I had a small idea to help Joost Engelen to use the same boom for the two Viola Squaretop laminate sails.
The problem was that the 4.7 sail had a shorter foot than the 6.0 sail. I suggested the simple idea of adding a fixed spectra loop to make us the shorter foot of the 4.7 to the same length as the 6.0 foot. The loop just drops into the carabiner that Joost was already using for the clew outhaul.
Next thing I know Joost is using the same method for all the reefs on the leach – the back edge of the sail. They now have loops made of 2.5mm 12 braid spectra making up to the same foot length as the standard sail.
For the front reef, he used a fixed loop that would slide over the boom.
Lower the sail … snap in the loops, tension the halyard and downhaul and sail on.
Developing the Faster Reefing System for Cruising Dinghies
Now this brings us to Teo Deus, member of the Goat Island Skiff group, otherwise known as “The Boat Rambler” on youtube.
Before Teo, the method was more a private method used by a few sailors in the Goat Island Skiff group and other groups.
Two years ago Teo built himself a Goat Island Skiff and videoed every aspect of the build and his sailing, whether day or longer cruises. Often in company with friends in commercial dinghies or a home built catamaran. Great videos of exploring his region of Portugal and sailing traditional lateen rigged Canoa – beam traditional sailing vessels of the region.
Teo started to use the reefing system regularly and worked out several improvements. But the big advantage for us was that he made excellent videos.
A note about Lazy Jacks on Cruising Dinghies before we go to the Dinghy Reefing Videos
Teo uses Lazy Jacks on his Goat Island Skiff with this reefing system. (His system is a bit different from the system right. Note the ring is oversize).
Joost doesn’t use Lazy Jacks on his Goat Island Skiff or his Viola Sailing Canoe.
My feeling about Lazy Jacks is I love them on boats that have significant stability where they are brilliant. I am a bit nervous about using them on boats that use active crew weight to stop the boat from capsizing.
Lazy jacks require reaching up, maybe semi-standing and sometimes reaching outside the boat to leeward.
I think most of the time Lazyjacks will be OK, but there are times that the wind and sea have built so suddenly that all I have wanted to do is get the sail, yard and boom down into the cockpit and sit on them while I sorted out the reefing.
Even on a single sails boat drift is reduced if the centreboard is down and the tiller pushed to leeward.
So my rule would be … if you want lazyjacks on a dinghy that substantially uses body weight for stabililty … make sure they can be released to very quickly drop yard boom and sail down into the boat.
Ok … to the videos.
Video 1 – Demonstrating a faster reefing system for cruising dinghies on Land.
This video goes through the easy setup and practice for putting in a reef using the fixed loop method.
NOTE that I have set the video to play from the reefing section. The earlier section deals with the Lazy Jacks. If you want to use lazy jacks there are some neat tips there. It is a different system to my drawing above and might be better as it is easier to release the lazy jacks.
Video image can take a moment to load.
Video 1 – How long does this take, realistic test of the reefing system
Teo is very thorough.
There are countless videos of nice theoretical systems being “tested” in backyards and driveways. Teo took his GIS out to see how it works afloat. This was a first timetrial. He has used the reefing in very boisterous weather since then.
How long will it take him?
The Key to any technique that relates to safety, whether capsize recovery, reefing, Man Overboard, leaving shore in strong offshore winds or getting back to shore in strong onshore winds …
…is practice in realistic conditions.
That has been one of Teo’s mantras as he has got to know his Goat Island Skiff.
Video image can take a moment to load.
Racing with the fast reefing system
I use the system on my Oz Goose for club racing. We have found out that for sailing solo that the break-even point for reefing the sail is around 18 to 20 knots if there is a significant chop.
Reefing the sail allows the solo sailor to point much higher upwind and foot a bit faster. It is the break-even point because the boat is faster upwind but a bit slower downwind. Reefed and unreefed boats sailed solo are about equal sailing a windward and return.
Above 20 knots it is better to reef if sailing solo.
Where I sail a strong wind day we can often see the squalls coming from a distance. We run multiple short races. So if the timing is right it takes me about a minute and a half to put in a reef between races or 40 seconds to shake it out. And there are minimal extra lines or fittings to encumber my boat.
Links to information about The Goat Island Skiff and my other designs
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