Questions about reefing

[cindysan02]

When to reef? It is my understanding that typical sails function best under 14 knots true wind. And I generally put in a first reef around that point. At what point do you find it beneficial to put in a second reef? I have tried it around 25 knots true with mixed results. Also, how do you shake out a reef? Once I pull the reefing line, I cannot seem to ever take it out and must reset the boat to do so. Assuming I am doing something wrong what is the procedure for shaking out a reef?

Tremendous thanks to the developer for creating such a marvelous simulation, I have just completed finding the initial 13 POI’s and am now off to Navarone!
Thanks

[RomeoTangoBravo]

Others will have to answer when is the right time to reef.

However, I can say how I shake out a reef -- not that this is the right way. Assume you are just using Reef 1. Have the starboard crew member 1) open the Reef 1 Jammer, and 2) drop the Reef 1 Line. Then have the port crew member 3) raise the Mainsail Halyard.

[cbaldwin256]

Thank you for all your feedback. In reality you would probably need to reef earlier in real life than in eSail. Its something we must spend a bit more time on. Typically I tend to start getting twitchy with 15-18 knots in real life. But that's all dependent on who your passengers are too!

[mikekavaney]

Sailing maxim in real life: if you are starting to think about whether to reef you should have already done it!! And I can attest to that!! Also, its a hell of a lot easier to shake a reef out on in a modest swell than to put one in on a wobbly bouncy vessel!!

[cbaldwin256]

Note new experimental version with increased heeling. It seems the buoyancy has been fighting against the heel in a non-linear way, so we have tweaked the heel, and also added a sail-wind-spill factor so as the boat broaches it should tend to right itself. It may be possible to capsize now, but not if you reef!

[Exelenz]

@cbaldwin256 Do you mean 15-18 wind speed or a boat speed? Sorry I'm a complete beginner so it can be a stupid question :)

[cbaldwin256]

Apparent wind speed - so can be a bit of both! Say you have 15 knots of wind, then sail into it you can very quickly get something like 22 knots of apparent wind speed, which can become uncomfortable under full sail.

[Fortinbras]

Originally posted by cbaldwin256:

Note new experimental version with increased heeling. It seems the buoyancy has been fighting against the heel in a non-linear way, so we have tweaked the heel, and also added a sail-wind-spill factor so as the boat broaches it should tend to right itself. It may be possible to capsize now, but not if you reef!

I logged on to live sail and capsized in less than 15 seconds. Is there anyway to fix it?

[cbaldwin256]

If you have too much canvas up you can try to bring the bow into the wind before you broach. A couple of restarts using the little circular arrow would do it I would think. Or save time and reset the boat. That way you start with all sails down.