Reefing Issues... (A technical post by Evan, who's puzzled)

When we bought our boat it wasn't set up to reef the main at all. So when we added the cabin I set it up for single reef point lines--which worked o.k.. Then the One-Eyed La Paz sailmaker added a second reef and the line leading got complicated.

I've got 3 cheek blocks on the side of the mast for:
- reef 1 tack
- reef 2 tack (currently being used for topping lift but lead angle sucks)
- main halyd
I think these will all work ok though I will upgrade wee plastic Harken 57 carbo cheek block to a bigger cheek block for a reef.  They lead to the 3 Spinlock clutches to stbd.

From the aft end of the boom I have 4 lines:
- reef 1 clew
- reef 2 clew
- topping lift
- outhaul

My thinking is to use 2 of the integrated sheaves at the front of the boom for the outhaul/topping lift because they are less loaded than the reef clew lines. I would use the Harken block aft of these on the boom for reef 1 and add one more sturdy Harken block for reef 2.

The 4 lines coming aft would go to the triple Easylock clutch + 1 cam cleat for the topping lift.

My big issue is that I only have one double block below on the mast to turn 4 lines coming aft. The mast base is too low to directly attach blocks because of the curve of the cabin roof top. This is all background to my big question:  how do I reasonably attach another double block to the mast so I can run 2 more lines aft without lines fouling the existing double block?

I sent my question off to Jamie the Two-Eyed Sailmaker on Totem and got this response (we're leaning toward 3e but welcome further discussion):

Complicated, damn!

1.       First thought, not suggesting that you try major changes, but I’m not a fan of single line/aft led reefing. The longer line runs allow more stretch/chafe, lines clutter up the cockpit, and it maintains big stress on the gooseneck. Is it possible to simplify even 1 less line going aft, such as the topping lift – instead exit to a cleat on the boom? Or if the outhaul has a purchase inside the boom it can be cleated on the boom?

2.       Along similar lines (ha ha) if it takes 2 people to reef anyway consider removing luff reef lines and use the tack hook/dog-ear method. Doesn’t solve aft-led line problem, but I does simplify the whole affair.

3.       If you’re stuck and really need to run 7 lines aft (3 from stbd mast wall, 4 from mast base) a few options come to mind for the 4 mast base lines– though a little tough from the pictures to see how the double block attaches.

a.       Replace 2 sheave block with 4 sheave block (Harken?). Downside is different load/function lines running through same block system will likely led to lines binding.

b.      Use 2 blocks with 2 sheaves each vertically oriented (currently horizontally oriented). Each block base could be non-swiveling and shackled to a single large shackle (or stout O-ring) at the mast base. Use the 2 smaller sheave for the outhaul and topping lift lines / larger sheaves for leach reef lines. Binding may still be an issue, but maybe less so.

c.       Use 2 block, 2 sheaves each. Attach 2 Spectra (yes, I got it in there!) pennants to the spot where current 2 sheave is attached. Lead them forward, around the mast and back so that one block is oriented on each side of the mast (but just aft of the mast). This gets some separation between the blocks and puts the block a little higher (if that helps). You could also use some bungee cord to prevent each block from moving too far out of place when not under load. Be sure that the base attachment point is up to the lateral loads.

d.      Skip the fairlead approach and just bring lots of line.

e.      With boats moving toward lifting keels, why not go one up and set-up a dropping mast. The mainsail remains fixed at the mast head. Build a carbon column from the mast base to the bilge. Cut hole in bottom. Install 1203:1 purchase system for dropping/lifting the rig. Of course the shrouds may loosen a bit but the mast will be shorter, so shrouds become superfluous – like nipples on a man.

f.        Duct Tape!

g.       Real men don’t reef anyway you pansy.

h.      You’re in a catamaran, so what you really need to worry about – because you’ll be upside down – is reefing the dagger boards.

i.         You’ve read Harry Potter right? Skip the boat and use the flu network.

Sailing, we are sailing...

When you spend years re-building a boat, you stop sailing, you stop hanging out together and, if you’re not careful, you stop dreaming. Every weekend, and often weeknights, Evan would head to Ceilydh. Sometimes I would tag along with Maia and we’d all install hatches, lay-up fibreglass and remove old fittings. But mostly Evan worked alone. The project, while often fulfilling, also wore us down - it taxed our marriage, diminished our bank account and pulled us away from family and friends. If ever there were a time I longed to just go sailing - this was it. But instead, the tasks stretched on.

Then you hit the point when you're done, or done enough. And nothing can compare to that moment when the wind fills your sails and you're free. When you sail to the next harbour, with a warm breeze on your face and a dream in your mind, it's almost possible to forget what it felt like to miss yet another event because you had fibreglass to sand.

Ceilydh hasn't sailed since Oregon. We've put plenty of hours on the motor, but it's sailing that first brought Evan and I together and sailing has been what's propelled us through our years.

Evan likes to beat the pants off of the other boats. I like to gather friends and family and combine all the elements I love best. Both are good ways to sail.

Steve and Irma (before there was a Maia, Ellie or Clara) shared in our dream about someday owning a boat and sailing away. Later they sailed with us on little Ceilydh once we reached the east coast. They came with us today to test our repaired rig and see us off as we start south again.

Our day was perfect. The sailing was perfect.

San Francisco Days

 If you’ve ever traveled with a child you’ll know there are certain magical moments that come when you find a place that causes them to fully engage and leaves them wonderstruck. It’s in sharp contrast to those other moments, the ones when they are hungry, thirsty, tired, bored, cold, hot, have sore feet or want to buy that tacky souvenir and that one too.

As parents, we kind of aim for those sublime moments of fascination, but the trick comes in knowing where to find them and what will leave them awed (which I guess is why Disneyland was invented). The whole thing gets even more fraught when you want to show them a place you’ve been and that you loved. Because if you loved it, they probably won’t enjoy it.

The thing is, despite the fact we raise her and influence her heavily we still don’t really understand Maia. She doesn’t quite see the world the way either Evan or I do. She’s constantly surprising me by being fascinated by things that confuse me,  by being bored by the things that enthrall me and by being left cold by the things that move me. And she likes Brussel Sprouts...

 So when we got to San Francisco and started choosing what to do and where to go, Maia had her own ideas – and a chocolate factory (which I pointed out didn’t actually give tours and only had a retail store selling regular priced chocolate) was inexplicably at the top of her list. Riding on the cable cars barely rated, she didn’t like the hills. And the other options only got a shrug.

 The thing with kids though, is even if they don’t like the stuff you like, it's easy to learn to love the things they are fascinated by. There is something about that moment, when time slows down and every thought they are thinking is pure and clear on their face, that lets you know you’ve been privy to a moment of enchantment.

 It’s worth searching for – even if it takes you to places you never meant to go. And makes you speed through the places you really thought you would linger.

For those wondering about our rig, we moved to a dock in Alameda this morning. We're really pleased to have arranged for Glenn Hansen to be our rigger (and equally thrilled that our dollar is doing so well for when it comes time to pay him!) Glenn will be taking apart the cap shroud that failed and will let us know what happened to the damn thing. Then we'll get to be a sailboat again!!