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Slab Reefing


I am a believer in slab reefing - I think it is quicker and easier. It also gives you an ideal sail shape whereas rolling reefing does not. The key is that the new foot of the sail gets pulled taut and that gives a flatter and lower powered sail. When you roll, the sail gets smaller but not flatter.

Steps are: (in the photo we hove to, but you don't have to do that)

  1. Ease mainsheet, ease halyard
  2. Pull down new tack Pull down new tack
  3. Pull out new clew Pull out new clew
  4. Done Done
  5. Tyid up by tying reef points Tidy up by tying reef points - there must be no tension at all on them!
  6. Broad reaching away Broad reaching away

Offshore Sailing book cover Offshore Sailing by Bill Seifert with Daniel Spurr

We went to a Windjammers lecture to hear Bill Seifert and I was impressed enough to buy the book on the spot. I've heard a lot of people talk about ways to improve a boat, but I've never heard one person suggest so many good ideas that I hadn't considered. Part of the charm is the specificity of the suggestions. Everyone says you should secure your floorboards, hatchboards and batteries. Bill shows good suggestions on how to do so.

The suggestions are very practical for the do-it-yourselfer, too. Many show how to make or adapt inexpensive solutions. Tip #12 on closing the deck blower vents is one that will pay off for me without ever going offshore. I'll implement that one to stop the wintertime storms from finding their way belowdecks.

Besides modifications, the book also includes advice for operating offshore, cooking, boat selection, dealing with bureaucracy, and more.

Bill Seifert has worked at Tartan, TPI, and Alden Yachts. He's a veteran of many Marion-Bermuda races and now runs his own yacht management company. His tips are born of experience--not of book-learning--and it shows. He obviously knows his stuff.

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