[Rhodes22-list] Retracting IMF

[Bud]

Bill,
  that's a good explanation.  Have you ever given any thought on how the 
IMF lines could be run and cleated
to somewhere other than out on the boom?

-Bud


Bill Effros wrote:

> Slim,
>
> OK, now we're on the same page.
>
> Like you, the only time it's harder than easy for me is when the wind 
> has picked up relative to the amount of main sail I have out, forcing 
> me to let out the main to a point where the aft boom cleat can't be 
> reached while standing on floor of the cockpit.
>
> Part of your solution has been to cleat the lines on the mid boom 
> cleat, however that forces you to leave the tiller.  I tried that 
> approach, but have subsequently moved the lines back to the aft boom 
> cleat.  I found it was dangerous to wrestle with the boom when it had 
> too much sail on it, I wasn't holding onto the tiller, and I was 
> leaning toward the leeward side of the boat.
>
> If the lines are cleated aft, you are forced to bring the sail in over 
> the cockpit (which, just incidentally, makes the sail furl on the tube 
> more easily and more cleanly.)  The only ways you can bring the sail 
> over the cockpit, if it is not already there, is by sailing higher 
> into the wind, while coming about, or in a hove-to situation.  In that 
> order.
>
> If the boom is over the water and you want to reduce the main sail, 
> first retract the genny so that it is around 100%.  No problem 
> there--I'm sure you know how to do that without snarling the 
> furler--(hint to newbies--keep tension on both lines.)  The main sail 
> is 1/2 the size of the 175 genny, so this will significantly depower 
> the boat, and may allow you to bring in the main over the cockpit 
> depending on how far your mainsail must be adjusted.  If so, release 
> the lines from the aft cleat and adjust at reduced speed on the same 
> course.
>
> If you still can't pull in your main, steer higher into the wind until 
> you can, and then fall off again after making the adjustment in 
> relatively calm air.  If you steer too high, and wish to come about, 
> you can catch the boom and make your adjustment while the boom remains 
> on the favored side, usually Starboard, before releasing the genny 
> sheet and completing the tack.   If you can't do this fast enough, or 
> don't want to come about, don't release the genny sheet, which will 
> automatically leave you hove-to.  Using the tiller you can get the 
> boom anywhere you want it in calm air over the cockpit.  You will have 
> as much time as you need to adjust the sail, tiller between legs, 
> standing in the center of the cockpit, aft, approximately over the 
> table socket.
>
> You can sail out of being hove-to on either a port or starboard tack.  
> Steer in the direction you wish to go.  Then release the genny, or 
> not, depending on which tack you want to be on.
>
> Bill Effros
>
>
>
>
> Slim wrote:
>
>> Just Plain Bill, et al,
>>
>> Right--lengthening the sail is never a problem and I, too try to put 
>> up less
>> sail than I need at first and add more later if I want.  But sometimes I
>> over estimate how much to use and other times the wind picks up after 
>> I'm
>> out there, so shortening the main in the heat of battle is something 
>> I want
>> to get better at.  It's especially tricky if I'm single-handing.  
>> And, like
>> you have said, even with others onboard I'm still single-handing, 
>> although
>> someone to take the helm and hold our course is a big help and not 
>> too hard
>> even for a novice.  I can always heave to in order to do anything but 
>> I'd
>> like to get better at reefing quickly while still under way.  Thanks 
>> for the
>> tip on moving the boom car before I haul in the reefing line.  I think
>> that'll help. 
>> Slim
>>
>> On 2/18/07 10:46 AM, "Bill Effros" <bill at effros.com> wrote:
>>
>>  
>>
>>> Slim,
>>>
>>> I've read some of the replies.
>>>
>>> First, let's note you are only speaking of shortening the sail.  There
>>> is no problem lengthening it.  Just prior to tacking, you simply 
>>> release
>>> the line that prevents more sail from going out, to add the amount of
>>> sail you wish to add.  This will cause a huge belly in the sail.  Using
>>> the main sheet, cleat the sail so that it is above the cockpit on the
>>> starboard side of the boat (on most boats depending on the rotation of
>>> the IMF inside the mast).  Pause in your tack long enough to secure the
>>> longer sail in it's new position on the boom, adjusting for the 
>>> level of
>>> sail tightness.  Finish your tack, or not, depending on where you want
>>> to go.
>>>
>>> When shortening the sail you must release the line that holds the sail
>>> out, first.  Move the car on the boom to where you want the sail to be
>>> attached to the boom.  Again, this will cause the sail to belly out.
>>> Then pull the sail retrieval line to get the proper sail shape.
>>> Continue the tack, or not.
>>>
>>> If it's really blowing you may have to heave to in order to keep the
>>> sail under control.
>>>
>>> I always start with less sail than I think I will need and then 
>>> lengthen
>>> it.  I always heave to when retracting sail fully at the end of the day
>>> because if you learn to heave to, well, you can make the boat point 
>>> into
>>> the wind at any direction that makes retracting the sail work best on
>>> your boat with your sails.  Experience.
>>>
>>> Bill Effros
>>>
>>> Slim wrote:
>>>    
>>>
>>>> My, my, my... Aren't we a chatty bunch today?  Ninety-some emails!
>>>>
>>>> Art brought up an important point about operating the IMF on a port 
>>>> tack.  I
>>>> do this too but only slightly off the wind for best results.  I let 
>>>> the main
>>>> sheet go so the sail is luffing and then it's a cinch to roll it up.
>>>>
>>>> Here's where I could use some help:  If the wind picks up and I 
>>>> decide to
>>>> shorten sail, I usually discover that I'm overpowered when on a 
>>>> close reach.
>>>> That's when you get heeled over too much.  That's when the wind has 
>>>> picked
>>>> up and there's a lot of force on the sail.  I've found it to be quite
>>>> difficult to reef in the mail on this point of sail even if it is a 
>>>> port
>>>> tack and absolutely impossible on a starboard tack.
>>>>
>>>> So what maneuvers or what point of sail would be best to make this 
>>>> easier?
>>>> Must I luff up?  I don't like doing that because it's so chaotic and
>>>> sometimes I get blown over to the other tack anyway and the problem 
>>>> gets
>>>> worse.  But if there's any wind in the sail at all then it's much 
>>>> harder to
>>>> flatten out the sail because the lines are so stressed.  At least I've
>>>> finally learned to cleat off my control lines on the cleats nearer 
>>>> the mast
>>>> and not the ones at the end of the boom where I can't always reach 
>>>> them.  I
>>>> think I've answered my own question.  You gotta luff up.  But has 
>>>> anyone
>>>> discovered a better procedure?
>>>>
>>>> Reefing in the jib under these conditions is easier.  I usually 
>>>> wait until I
>>>> tack and then keep the jib sheet on the now-windward side sort of 
>>>> like a
>>>> heave to, backwinding the main.  Then I can ease the sheet out and 
>>>> take the
>>>> reefing line while the jib is still full of air.
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>         
>>>
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>>
>>
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