Hi Tom. This area is kind of like 'fiord' sailing. ~:0) I am sure much like your area. Havasu looks pretty fantastic to me. All the mountain lakes are long and narrow-ish. Most run North/ South. Seems like you are either close hauled or dead down hill. Rare is the day you catch a breeze from the East or West...over the hill as it where. When you do get an odd wind.....it is often a heads up. Watch for the Ninjas. Crazy stuff. I have to always keep a weather eye out. Mr. Paranoid. I have been slammed more than once. On Thursday afternoon I went out because it was warm, sunny and a fair light breeze. No sooner got the sails set and the wind started to run the compass...45 degrees at a time. On this lake it means you are in for it. Sure as s%@# a black line is heading down lake....at least I got some warning. I use to reef the main using the method you mentioned. I found it was to slow for my deal. I use a single line system for both reefs. It was a bit of work to set up but way worth it in the end. Both reef lines are easily reachable. They belay to clam cleats on the boom...one on each side. That way I can take the boom off easily enough when taking the rig down. If I had the boat rigged all season I would run the reef lines down to turning blocks and back to the cockpit. I have marked the main halyard with both the reef points (just a 1/2 of whipping) to aid in the process. I can usually have the sail reduced in 30 seconds or so....not including tieing up excess sail etc. If I do get surprized by a sneaky rascal, my first response is to drop the headsail. I don't use a furler, but I have a downhaul and it is fast. The beauty there is if you belay the downhaul...even if there is 160 all over the foredeck...you are good to go and depowered big time. Then you can relax, deal with the pressure increase and new quadrant...sort it all out. Around her...the biggest pressure seems to be at head of the system. It tends to settle some within 20 minutes or so. I tend to reef early as I am still sailing with the wire that came on the boat when I got it. I have no idea as to the quality, age or condition (other than visual). I like not to push too hard. My new rig is on the way and I will breath a tad easier soon. Cheers, Tim D Kelowna BC M17 PUFF ======================================= -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Tom Jenkins Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 10:57 AM To: 'For and about Montgomery Sailboats' Subject: Re: M_Boats: reefing Tim, That settles it for me; off to the sailmaker. I imagine winds can howl down Okanagon from time to time as they do on our narrow desert reservoirs like Lake Havasu. If you don't mind my asking, how do you rig your reefing setup? On another boat, I have used a hook on the gooseneck for the first tack reef, and a line fixed to cleats on the mast for the second. At the clew I used two blocks and two cam cleats. The M17 boom and "gooseneck" seem a bit small for all that hardware. Have a good sailing season! Tom Jenkins -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Tim Diebert Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 6:25 PM To: 'For and about Montgomery Sailboats' Subject: Re: M_Boats: reefing I have used my 2nd set several times. I can't imagine not having them. Tim D. M17 -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Tom Jenkins Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 3:26 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: M_Boats: reefing Hello M17 sailors, The main on my 2004 M17 came with a single set of reef points, but I am not shy about have a second set installed if they are likely to come in handy. Has anyone out there needed to double reef, with or without a storm jib? As always, I prefer to learn from the experiences of others, rather than finding out the hard way. Thanks in advance for any comments. Tom Jenkins M17 Scintilla _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.2/1386 - Release Date: 4/18/2008 5:24 PM _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.2/1387 - Release Date: 4/19/2008 11:31 AM