Grand Soleil 40
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Taking in a reef
Once the reef line has been installed, do as follows to take in reefs:
•
Whether the boat is fitted with a rigid vang or with a tackle one, always slacken a little the
main sail sheet before the operation as in any other boat.
With the rigid vang
•
The boom is propped by the vang itself.
With the tackle vang
•
The operation is the one done as usual, pull the boom topping lift taught, to sustain it.
•
After having unwound main halyard and released the sliding blocks’ catch-pin on the mast,
hang reef tack point to one of the hooks located on boom claw.
•
Re-tension the main sail halyard again.
Then:
•
Haul in the reef line with the winch located on the coachroof. When the operation is
completed, release the winch by shutting the reef clutch (see page 24).
•
Release boom topping lift, and adjust the tackle or rigid vang and haul in main sail sheet for
normal navigation.
•
If you sail with reefs for a long time, tie up the extra main sail section with reef points onto
the boom, to avoid too much extra cloth hanging from the boom.
Taking off a reef
•
Release a little the main sail sheet so that the boom will not be held back while
operating.
•
If the boat is fitted with a tackle vang, pull the boom topping lift taught in order to hold it up
while releasing the vang tackle.
•
Release the reefing line carefully; if fixed to the stopper, first haul in the line with the winch
then open the stopper.
•
Slightly release the main sail halyard to free the reef tack cringle. Run the free slide blocks
on the mast groove.
•
Recover the mainsail halyard releasing the reefing line until the operation is over.
•
Adjust the mainsail sheet, the vang and the boom topping lift for a normal navigation.
