admin September 2, 2025 Sailing Previous Lesson The cost of Sailing Comments (0)
If you’re new to sailing, reefing just means reducing your sail area to match the conditions. You make the sail smaller, the boat calmer, and yourself a lot less likely to end up in the river.
1. Know Your Points
First reef – for when it’s getting a bit lively
Second reef – for when it’s starting to howl
Third reef – for when you question your life choices
2. Reefing the Mainsail
Drop the sail slightly
Re-attach to the lower reefing cringle (look at you, learning the lingo)
Tighten down the clew and tack
Re-tension the halyard
Adjust outhaul and kicker as needed
3. Jib Options
Swap to a smaller jib
Or roll/furl it if you’re lucky enough to have a furler
The forecast is looking lively — perfect conditions for:
Reefing before launching
Practising depowering the sails
Impressing the riverbank spectators with your smoothly conservative rigging choices
And remember — it’s not a race if you’re swimming. (Unless it’s a very odd kind of race.)
Reefing isn’t about cowardice — it’s about good seamanship. It’s about being prepared, staying in control, and making sure your boat finishes the session drier than you do.
So if it looks windy this weekend?
Reef early, reef right, and sail happy.
