Hello, on our 40/40 we have two reefing lines and an outhal that run through the boom. Our sail has the holes to add a 3rd reef but we cannot see how this could be run as all the sheeves have been used for the current two reefs and the outhaul. Does anyone have 3 reefs in their main that runs through the boom with their outhaul. Any photos or diagrams would be much appreciated.
Side note, we just completed out for 95NM trip in her and it was epic. God, doesn’t she fly, but a third reef would have calmed the nerves in a few places
The third reef should add about 20 more feet of line needed. You can always run a “mouse line” first out of something thin to find rh length you really need and then get rhe exact length you need. This data could be in the user manual.
We replaced the short lower reef line with a longer line to the 3rd reef point. Easy to hand tie the first reef, usually in anticipation of needing to reef. Second and third have the lines as we don’t want to leave cockpit if we are in need of that much reefing. You can still use your second reef to pull down to get at the first reef cringles. Works well for us.
An added benefit to removing the 1st reef completely is that it frees up a block at the base of the mast and a cam cleat at the cockpit. This would then allow you to create a downhaul on the 3rd reef’s tack point. That would free you from ever having to go to the mast to lock in the tack’s reefing ring onto the boom’s reefing horns.
What kind of reefing system do you have? If it’s the isomat boom single line or similar that uses a shuttle in the boom, then the shuttle might not have enough travel in the boom for the amount of line a third reef requires (since it’s a 2:1 system from boom end to shuttle to reef point). Something to think about.
