J21 reefing by
Colin Bishop
Yes, I think we have just
about got it sussed out now but haven't yet tried it in anger. There
are two adjustable cheek blocks on a track on the port side of the boom
which can be set to match the position of the leech cringles. I found the
description below on another non Jaguar website which explains how to rig
them (despite the odd spelling). However there are two cheek blocks spaced
more or less equidistantly on the starboard side of the boom with matching
jammers and I haven't a clue what they are for. Glad your involuntary
paddle went off safely! Did the motor fit OK? I'm a bit frustrated with
my previous owner, seems he waited until something broke - then left
it! Extract from website follows:
On the message board many people have asked about slab reefing. Instead
of being redundant. I thought a ready reference artice in the archives would
be appropriate.
This is the equipment you will need for 2 reefs: 2 reefing hooks 2 cheek
blocks 2 cleats: Enough 1/4 inch line for 2 reefs depending on the size
of the sail. Be generous 100ft of 3 strand nylon should do.
Installation: Your sail must have 2 gromets at the luff and at the leach
for each reef with the appropriate reinforcement. This can be accomplished
quite easily by any sailmaker. Both cheek blocks which are used for the
leech side of the reef must be fastened to the boom in the proper place.
Correct alignment is a must for the equipment to work properly. The easiest
way to do this is to mark a spot on your boom so that if you drew an imaginary
line up the sail to the gromet it would be at right angles to the boom.
Move aft about 1" and fasten your cheek block. Use either self tapping
screws or pop rivets. Do the same with the second cheek block. It will be
foreward of the first because the gromets are higher up on the sail. Next
install both cleets foreward on the boom near the gooseneck so you can reach
them and the main halyard without having to move around to much. The cleets,
and cheek blocks should be on the starboard side because the main hallyard
is on the starboard side. Some folks like to put the cleats on the bottom
of the boom so they can reach them from either side. When you start out
reefing you will find it easier to reef from the stbd tack but with a litte
experience it wont make much difference. Take your 2 hooks and either tie
them on to the gooseneck at a point so when you release the halyard and
drop the first luff gromet down to the boom you can put the hook in and
it fits without too much play when you retighten the halyard. Some sailors
use a corkscrew type hook screwed to the boom. I perfer a hook on a line
with a clete to tie off on this makes life easier but it means more hardware.
The choice is yours. Next install your reef lines. This is done by tying
the 1/4" line to the becket on the cheek block running it under the
boom up the port side of the sail thru the gromet, down the starboard side
of the sail, thru the sheave on the cheek block and foreward. Did you get
all that. Then tie it off on the cleet you installed for that purpose Not
too tight though leave a little slack. Do the same for the second reef and
thats it your reefer is ready.
Part 2 Putting A reef in the easy way:
Get your boat on a close reach. Luff up the main keep sailing on the jib.
some people heave to but a lot of board boats wont heave to. Take up on
your topping lift which should be thru a block at the aft end of the boom
and cleeted foreward near the gooseneck. I prefer this on the port side
because there are enuf cleets on the stbd. This manoever will take the pressure
and weight of the sail and make life a lot easier. You should be able to
reach everything from one spot foreward. Now lower your main halyard until
the first luff gromet is at the boom. Put your hook in. Cinch your halyard
up tight and cleat it off. Take your leech reefer line of its cleet and
pull it until the leach gromet is tight against the boom and tie it off.
If it goes hard, luff up more and take up some more on the topping lift.
Thats it the reef is in. Slack your topping lift sheet your main in drop
your reef line tails in the pocket made by the reef. You can tie the point
ties in if you want but I never bother. The whole thing should not take
more than 5 min.