I'm embarrased to admit, I don't really understand how the stock reefing on my M17 works. The few times I've reefed the main, the result has been a scrap of nylon that ill resembles a sail, with the wadded-up reefed excess bulging and sagging: What's worse the process itself has been slow, clumsy and sloppy. I picture y'all who know what you're doing yanking a couple lines though the proper blocks on your booms to their proper cleats, and instantaneously creating a taught triangle of reefed main, a perfect downsized foil. I imagine you being able to do this efficiently in even the most inclement weather. Do smooth, efficient sail-reefers exist only in my imagination, and if not, how is it done? ----- Original Message ----- From: <LUDLOWD2@aol.com> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 8:10 AM Subject: reefing Gilbert: I'm going to revise the current reefing arrangement on Sweet Dream. Right now, I've got a cheek block on the port side of the boom (Harkin Bullet). The 5/16" line from the 1st reef clew grommet goes dwn to the cheek block and then to a horn cleat. The proposed revision is to run a 1/4" line from an eye on the s'board side up to the 1st reef grommet, thru the hole and down to the new cheek block then run along the boom to a clam cleat with built-in fairlead located more forward, near the companionway. I'll tie a knot on the end and leave it loose. This way I can reach the clew reef line easily without having to reach way over the side and grab the boom. When i'm heaved -to, to take in a reef, the jib is backed and main is loose. As I pull in on the boom to reach the clew reef line the boat takes off, rounding down til i let the main go again. Quite a balancing act. Moving the cleat forward should help. The double purchase should also help. I believe that Doug has "Seas" rigged like this. I just had the second set of reef points added to the main but haven't rigged then. Steve suggests that the second reef be set up just like the first but on the opposite side of the boom. I'm going to look at this next week. I've also needed the reef recently. Took Sweet Dream on the Dauphin Island race in 18 - 25 knot winds and 3 to 4 ft head seas. One reef was all I needed, I wanted to keep the power up to blow thru the waves. Averaged 5.2 knots most of the trip. Let me know what you decide. Fair winds Don