Double reefs with a Gunter rig

Rich Duffy (duffy@maui.com)
Tue, 21 Sep 1999 12:01:52 -1000


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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I initially set up my gunter-rigged P-14 with the "reefing hook"
setup that Harry Gordon and Tom Grimes use, and which Tom documented
on the lesbois.com Potter web site. This setup involves leaving the
sail affixed to the gunter yard and then lowering the yard on the
mast.

This seems to work okay with my small, three-sided original sail. But
I now see that worn-out sail won't last much longer. I will soon be
forced -- even in heavy winds -- to use the new, larger, four-sided
"Mk II" sail that I purchased a while back through this list,
thinking I would use it in lighter winds.

Given the size of the Mk II sail, the strength of the wind here on
Maui, and the ignorance of the sailor, it is clear that I will need a
minimum of two sets of reefing points on this sail.

It is equally clear that my "reefing hook" setup will not work with a
second set of reefing points because the Gunter yard cannot be
lowered much more than, say, 27 inches.

I am starting to think about alternative reefing setups. I'm
particularly drawn to the notion of sticking a sheave on the end of
the Gunter yard and then raising and lowering the sail with a second,
"Gunter, halyard." I imagine this could be used as a complete
replacement for the "reefing hook" setup -- or in combination with it
(lower yard, engage "reefing hook" to go to reef #1, Then lower
"gunter halyard" to go to reef #2.)

I imagine that the biggest drawback to the "gunter halyard" approach
would be that the sail slugs would stick in the gunter yard slot.
Then too, who wants yet another line up there? And, I expect, it
might be tricky to make the Gunter halyard taut without bowing out
the relatively flimsy Gunter yard.

Before I go much further I would be much obliged to hear about
alternatives, experiences or any thoughts on the matter from you more
experienced folks.

Thanks so much.

Rich

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Rich Duffy
P-14 #362, "Manele"
Kula, Hawaii