Reefing the Gig Harbor Melonseed Lug Sail

Demonstrating how to reef and un-reef the balanced lug sail on Gig Harbor's 16.5' Melonseed Skiff. This is a high quality trailer sailer, easy to transport, rig and launch. For more information, see: www.ghboats.com

[@santamulligan676]

Very nice and simple I was trying to work up a roller boom ,but this would do

[@larryg3326]

Thank you! Clearest explanation I've seen.

[@mikefule330]

This only works this way because he has lazy jacks/topping lift to support the boom. Normally, if you lower the halyard on a balanced lug, the boom drops the same distance as the yard, because it is hanging from the sail, and is not connected to the mast. 2 methods that work: (1) loosen the downhaul, tighten the reefing lines so that the boom rises, then lower the yard to compensate, then tighten the downhaul, or (2) lower the yard a distance equivalent to the depth of the reef. The boom will fall the same distance. Tighten the reefing lines and the boom will rise back up to approximately its original level. Tighten and adjust halyard and downhaul as necessary.

[@fossilfool]

@@mikefule330 (and Shawn), You seem to know how you like your balanced lugs. Do you use lazy jacks? Are lazy jacks more appropriate when you are leaving your boat in the water between sails with the mast up? Thx.

[@mikefule330]

@@fossilfool Lazy jacks can be set up on a balanced lug, but it takes a bit more effort. The issue is that the boom hangs from the sail which hangs from the yard. When you lower the sail, the tack end of the boom also drops. This is different from more modern rigs where the boom is connected to a fixed point on the mast with a goose neck. It can be done, though. I saw a diagram earlier today in the DCA forum. Line is tied to a fixed point at the top of the mast, goes down the starboard side of the sail to near the clew end of the boom, under the boom, then back up to the top of the mast on the port side of the sail. Then it goes down the port side of the sail to the tack end of the boom where it is cleated off. At the clew end, the sail falls between the two lazy jacks. At the tack end, the sail falls between the mast and the one lazy jack. I have not tried this myself.

[@spayment]

The key to any reefing system is to practice it’s use until the steps are nearly automatic. I have reefed lugs both with and without lazy jacks. Either way, it needs to be a 30-60 second operation. Faster is better.

[@thesailingrode1817]

Would a second reef ever be needed or would the sail be too inefficient any smaller? Seems like a fairly deep 1st reef.

[@spayment]

One reef is probably sufficient for daysailing where you can mostly select and control your sailing conditions. However, for expedition sailing, a second reef point would be a near requirement. Essentially, the sail would be reduced to a triangular lateen at the second reef.