M_Boats: Reefing arrangements

Rick had mentioned that he reefs while hove to. I do the same and find it very efficient. To do this though the boom is outboard of the cockpit and I but a turning block just aft of the reefing clew in order to lead the reefing line foward along the boom so that I am not leaning outboard of the boat while reefing. So my reefing clew arrangement is a line from a pad eye on the port side through the reefing clew, to turning block on starboard and then forward to a small horn cleat about 3 feet aft of the mast. When the boat is hove to the boat is far more stable than trying to head into the wind and everything works smoother so that I am comfortable with just a reefing hook at the gooseneck. Thanks Doug Kelch "Seas the Day" M15 #310 G