On most of our cruising multihulls, the first reef is taken in around 20 knots of true wind. A robust, rather heavy, and quite under-canvassed catamaran can in reality stand sailing over-canvassed...but there is no point: the boat won’t sail any faster, and can become hard to control, not to mention the risk of breakage. So, let’s take advantage of the fine weather to practice taking a reef!
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Publié le
16/12/2016
Par
Emmanuel van Deth
Numéro :
141
Parution :
May.
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Jun.
2015
1) You’re sailing fast; the speedo is showing double figures... You’re having the time of your lives aboard, but if the anemometer is showing 20 knots of true wind or more, think about reefing the mainsail! 2) Try to sail on a close reach, with the foresail pulling well. Start by freeing the mainsheet and possibly moving the traveler to leeward to decrease the wind's pressure on the mainsail. 3) Take in the topping lift, to support the weight of the boom whilst you take in your reef. 4) Make sure that the main halyard is free to run without forming a knot against the jammer. 5) Take in the mai…
