Don, You may not have used that second reef, but you're probably glad you have it. My reason for wanting the second reef is safety and comparative comfort in northern California summer breezes that can pipe up in the afternoon to better than 30 knots. I have sailed my 15 with a single reef and a reefed foresail and felt right on the white-knuckle edge with my 200 pounds hanging way over the side to keep the boat on her feet. That's a lot of fun...for a while. When I bring the Admirable along or my nine year old daughter, that's maybe a little too much fun. I don't want to scare them: I gotta live with these people and I want them to like sailing as much as I do. So, yeah, insurance: that second reef will make the going a little easier if I want...it's all about having options in case you need them, I guess. I also have a new little jib made up to Jerry M's specs and have found the M15 really likes that little sail in a blow. Anyhow, thanks for the response. I'm feeling much better about my deep reef. George M15 #385 Santa Rosa, CA On 5/5/05 4:58 AM, "LUDLOWD2@aol.com" <LUDLOWD2@aol.com> wrote:
George: I had the second reef installed on my relatively new EP main. I looked at a few photos of M-15's with a second reef and pointed to a spot and told the sail maker, put it here. It is fairly deep, just a little less than the distance that the first reef is from the boom to the second reef. In all honesty, i've never used the second reef but there it is, rigged and ready. My thoughts are that if I need the second reef, I'm heading to safe harbor in a hurry, probably with the jib down, the hatch covers closed, my lifejacket and safety harness on, and my trusty 2HP Honda running. I've thought about getting a "storm jib" say 70% but heck, I'm not going to the bow in those conditions to put it up. and I'm not going to start out sailing in a 15 ft boat in those conditions with the storm jib on. Most likely, I'll get caught one day with the 150 up when a summer t'storm catches me. Then I'll use the jib downhaul, and maybe put the second reef in. I' ran the 20 + mile Dauphin Island Race last year in 20+ knots with the first reef and the 110 and found I needed the power to hammer through the waves. I feathered the main in the gusts and she stayed on her feet. I have tried "jib only" but never in 25+ knot winds. I'm not sure why you need the second reef but if it's for insurance, consider how the boat is going to handle in those conditions and whether you will fly your jib or not. Fair winds, good company, and have a nice sail. Don _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats