MARLOW-HUNTER MH31, Operator'S Manual

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Sails and Rigging
12.11
2. If wind is closehauled, LUFF UP;
3. If wind is abeam, FREE SHEETS;
4. If wind is abaft the beam, BEAR AWAY.
NOTE: Special care should be taken when turning from a fol-
lowing wind onto a beam reach, because both the apparent
wind speed and heeling effect will increase. Such turns should
not be made rapidly, and consideration should be given to a
reduction in sail before such a maneuver.
It can not be stressed enough, that vigilance, common
sense and a cautious mindset will be strong allies for safe
sailing. The forces of nature can and will be unpredict-
able at times and your sail configuration will be a central
factor on sailing success or disaster in response to these
forces. Always err on the side of caution.
12.8.2 Conventional Mainsail
The standard rig comes with a dual-line reefing system
on the conventional mainsail. The decrease of sail area
is vertical, or the foot shifts up on the sail to the new
reefing point. Stowing the sail involves lowering the sail
to the boom and lashing it down, wrapping it with a sail
cover or lowering it into an encasing sail cover.
12.8.2.1 Reefing System Installation Instructions
Installation of your reefing system involves the following
steps:
Run both reefing lines as illustrated in the Generalized
Reefing Layout illustration (Fig 12.26). The shorter
reef line will be used on the first reef (starboard side,
white w/ green flecks). The longer reef line will be
used on the second reef (port side, white w/ red
flecks).
Ease the mainsheet.
Lower the mainsail to approximately the first reef
position.
Take up the slack in the first reef line until the tack
and the clew are down to about 2” above the boom.
Adjust the main halyard so that the tack reef point is
not contacting the goose neck and is applying ten-
sion to the luff of the main above the reef, not below.
There should be approximately 6” (150mm) of stretch
in the main luff when the reefing line is tensioned, so,
ensure this is considered when adjusting the main
halyard to locate the tack reef.
Confirm that the tack reef point is still clear of the
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tack shackle and that only the main luff above the
reef cringle is tensioned, not the luff below the crin-
gle. Ease the reef line and readjust the halyard if
necessary.
After the halyard has been stretched, mark it at the
stopper with a 1” (25mm) single band of indelible
marker ink. By dropping the halyard to this mark
every time, positioning is made easier. The halyard
is automatically in the correct position for the reef.
Similarly, mark the reef line in the same fashion for a
consistent correct position.
Repeat the procedure for the second reef, using dou-
ble bands to mark the halyard and reef line in the
correct position.
12.8.2.2 Reefing Instructions
Head up into the wind.
Ease the mainsheet.
Check the topping lift for adequate boom support.
Lower the main halyard to the appropriate mark and
snub the line with the stopper.
Tension the reefing line with the self-tailing winch until
the reef clew is brought down to the boom. Apply
stopper and tension the main halyard back up, ease
the topping lift (if needed).
12.8.2.3 Shaking out a Mainsail Reef Instructions
Head up into the wind.
Ease the mainsheet.
Release the line stopper and remove reef line from
winch.
Tension the main halyard to raise sail, making sure
reef lines run freely while sail is being raised. Apply
stopper to main halyard.
Re-tension mainsheet, ease the topping lift (if need-
ed).
12.8.2.4 Stowing the Mainsail
Stowing the mainsail involves lowering it fully to the boom
and lashing it down. Lowering the mainsail is assisted
and simplified by lines termed lazy jacks. This element
of running rigging consists of a network of lines attached
to a point on the port and starboard upper spreaders to a
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