just a general question on when to reef.
anyone with a bav 33c j&j from around 2006,slab reef ,3 reefs, at what sort of wind speeds do you put the varios reef in.
I'm afraid I'm not able to tell you as this depends on much more things as the wind direction, gusts, wave heights, wave form and frequency.
I could be setting my first reef at 13 knots wind when beating in choppy waves and be totally fine with a full sail setup at 22 knots with long swells and wind from 150 degrees.
Adding to that crew or lacck of it. Totally different to beat upwind solo, than to have someone on sheet ready to spill off gusts + 400kg of crew on the windward rail.
Just this element will change my decision from say 14kn to 20kn in terms of first reef on otherwise similär conditions.
BR,
Tommi
S/Y Anniina
ive been putting first reef in around 14kn then turning and on about a 60 degree angle to wind,usualy just me and wife, also ususly a short choppy sea with gusts going from 15 to 22. was wondering if there was an average windspeed that people use to reef and what it was, and wether i was being too cautious.
I've found a cheap inclinometer a useful device. The little ones with a ball bearing. I'll hang on until the angle of heel gets to 12-15 degrees. If you flatten the sails (pull on the backstay and outhaul a bit tighter) you can reduce the heel angle without reefing.
There's usually little downside to reefing a bit earlier though. The boat is flatter which usually speeds her up, as well as being easier to control.
But definitely use heel angle in addition to apparent wind speed.