Posted by John on 1/12/2009, 5:24:35

Can anybody shed some light on the difficulties of me adding reef points to my mainsail myself. Can I just add some sail ties sewn to the sail with reinforced backing? Thanks for any advice. John

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Posted by Dave Laux on 1/12/2009, 5:46:21, in reply to "Reefing the main"

You need to make patches to significantly reinforce the luff and leach area. The intermediate tiers are less important though a small patch there will not hurt. The luff and laech patch needs to be at least as heavy as the tack and clew areas. They will need a serious grommet too. Dave

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Posted by Captain Howie on 1/12/2009, 8:18:52, in reply to "Reefing the main"

Hi John, A couple year's ago I put a pair of reef points into a Potter 15 sail. Below is a link to a blow by blow description. Hope this Helps.

Link: Click Here To See How I Added Reef Points

Posted by John on 1/14/2009, 13:51:35, in reply to "Reefing the main"

Thank you both for the info. I assumed there would need to be reinforcement of the sail at the ties and clew and leach. I did not know it would require so much. You may have saved me a ruined sail. Thanks again.

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Posted by Al Watts on 3/2/2009, 12:16:49, in reply to "Reefing the main"

I looked into it too and decided it was easier, safer, and more likely to get done if I just ordered a new main with them already installed. Glad I did.

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Posted by Ol Bill on 3/14/2009, 5:08:02, in reply to "Re: Reefing the main"

Thanks Capt. Howie, appreciate it. I have added a replacement leech panel to a torn jib before. It also took some doing. You have encouraged me in considering adding another reef to my Jane Anne's canvas. OK if I repost your fine link else-wheres? Cheers, Ol Bill

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Posted by Captain Howie on 3/14/2009, 9:09:10, in reply to "Re: Reefing the main"

Hi Ol Bill, Feel free to link or other wise use anything I put up on the Internet. Hope your project is a grand success.