To “Reef” a sail means to shorten it. And really nothing more. It is the simple act of reducing sail area, so as to reduce the surface area and thereby reducing power. A sailboat is powered by the wind and when there is too much wind it is overpowered. Each reef point on the main sail should have its own hook; it is advisable to rig each hook with a tight lashing or to protect it with neoprene to prevent impact on the boom. The Caulk Removal Tool is used before re-caulking to remove caulk or other flexible materials from seams. A razor knife should be used to free the caulk from the side of the seam, along with the Caulk Removal Tool. Capt Chris German is a life long sailor and licensed captain who has taught thousands to sail over the last 20 years. In 2007, he founded a US Sailing-based community sailing school in Bridgeport, CT for inner city youth and families. When Hurricane Sandy forced him to abandon those efforts, he moved to North Carolina where he set out to share this love for broadcasting and sailing with a growing web-based television audience through The Charted Life Television Network. Read more articles

Reefing Your Mainsail: Are you onboard with reef hooks?

The biggest problem with roller reefing is related to sail design. The designed draft (depth) in the middle of the sail dictates that, as the sail is rolled up, the edges of the sail roll proportionately faster than the middle of the sail (where the draft leaves more material). The resulting sail shape when partially rolled thus involves very tight sail edges while leaving the maximum draft area in the middle of the sail loose and baggy (Figure 1). This is exactly what you don’t want, because a loose sail with a lot of shape has more power and/or drag than a flat sail — resulting in poor upwind performance, more heel, and less control. Figure 2: With the headsail reefed by rolling it up almost all the way, the sail can be pulled tight and flat to depower it.Why fenders should not be overlooked In Spanish, a boat's fender is normally called 'una defensa', which may be a more appropriate name. 'A Defender'

Reefing Hook | Kildale Marine

The position of the slider can to altered by lifting the plunger and relocating the slider.It should be positioned so the line leaving the eye in the sail pulls down and aft between 30° and 45°.By learning the system you have on the hook with lots of light and little stress, you will have the skills you need to have when the need arises. SS Cunningham Reef Hook is formed from 5/16" diameter rod with welded eye for up to 3/8" (10mm) line. And quite frankly, the sense of accomplishment and confidence you will have when you have navigated your vessel through your first heavy weather, successfully reefed sail and made it to the safe side of the storm to see the sun shine again, can not be overstated. From cam cleats to the recently acquired 'Karverized' Pontos winches, Karver have a plethora of high-performance hardware and furling solutions.