[Rhodes22-list] Retracting IMF

[Bill Effros]

Slim,

I've read some of the replies.

First, let's note you are only speaking of shortening the sail.  There 
is no problem lengthening it.  Just prior to tacking, you simply release 
the line that prevents more sail from going out, to add the amount of 
sail you wish to add.  This will cause a huge belly in the sail.  Using 
the main sheet, cleat the sail so that it is above the cockpit on the 
starboard side of the boat (on most boats depending on the rotation of 
the IMF inside the mast).  Pause in your tack long enough to secure the 
longer sail in it's new position on the boom, adjusting for the level of 
sail tightness.  Finish your tack, or not, depending on where you want 
to go.

When shortening the sail you must release the line that holds the sail 
out, first.  Move the car on the boom to where you want the sail to be 
attached to the boom.  Again, this will cause the sail to belly out.  
Then pull the sail retrieval line to get the proper sail shape.  
Continue the tack, or not.

If it's really blowing you may have to heave to in order to keep the 
sail under control.

I always start with less sail than I think I will need and then lengthen 
it.  I always heave to when retracting sail fully at the end of the day 
because if you learn to heave to, well, you can make the boat point into 
the wind at any direction that makes retracting the sail work best on 
your boat with your sails.  Experience.

Bill Effros

Slim wrote:
> My, my, my... Aren't we a chatty bunch today?  Ninety-some emails!
>
> Art brought up an important point about operating the IMF on a port tack.  I
> do this too but only slightly off the wind for best results.  I let the main
> sheet go so the sail is luffing and then it's a cinch to roll it up.
>
> Here's where I could use some help:  If the wind picks up and I decide to
> shorten sail, I usually discover that I'm overpowered when on a close reach.
> That's when you get heeled over too much.  That's when the wind has picked
> up and there's a lot of force on the sail.  I've found it to be quite
> difficult to reef in the mail on this point of sail even if it is a port
> tack and absolutely impossible on a starboard tack.
>
> So what maneuvers or what point of sail would be best to make this easier?
> Must I luff up?  I don't like doing that because it's so chaotic and
> sometimes I get blown over to the other tack anyway and the problem gets
> worse.  But if there's any wind in the sail at all then it's much harder to
> flatten out the sail because the lines are so stressed.  At least I've
> finally learned to cleat off my control lines on the cleats nearer the mast
> and not the ones at the end of the boom where I can't always reach them.  I
> think I've answered my own question.  You gotta luff up.  But has anyone
> discovered a better procedure?
>
> Reefing in the jib under these conditions is easier.  I usually wait until I
> tack and then keep the jib sheet on the now-windward side sort of like a
> heave to, backwinding the main.  Then I can ease the sheet out and take the
> reefing line while the jib is still full of air.  
>
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