Reefing

Reefing means making a sail smaller. As the wind increases, a full sail overpowers the boat: it heels too much, gets hard to steer and slows down. A reefed sail gives less power, and the boat sails more upright, more comfortably and often faster.

Ways to reef

• Slab reefing (jiffy reefing): the mainsail is lowered partway and the reef tack and clew are pulled down to the boom. Most mainsails have two or three rows of reef points: first, second and third reef.
• In-mast or in-boom furling: the mainsail rolls into the mast or the boom, continuously variable.
• Roller-furling headsail: the jib or genoa rolls around its forestay to any size.

When to reef

The old rule: reef the first time you think about it. It's much easier before the wind arrives than in the middle of a gust. Points to remember:

• Check the true wind before turning upwind. On a run the wind feels lighter than it is.
• Reef before nightfall or before a forecast front.
• Shaking out a reef when the wind drops is quick; putting one in late is not.

In Manta, a sail change is a quick entry, and each boat keeps its own sails and reefs.