Reefs percentages for mainsail

[winefood]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for so much great information. I am going to visit DreamKeeper and review the things you have told me about. (I never noted that my third reef caused a" tall stack", but never thought about it. It sounds like a Strong Track to go with my try-sail might be a good addition to the mast and be preferable over a third reef, since I am mostly an in the Bay sailor.
You have shared so many fine points of how a third reef, battens and dog bones should function. My present mainsail functions perfectly, and does everything I ask it too. Until now, I have taken the skill of the sail maker for granted. I hope my new one works as well and makes my boat go like hell.
Thanks again,

Larry

[BobJ]

I'll say it: Please don't put all those fasteners in a Hawkfarm mast for a sail you will probably never use (trys'l).

If a second deep reef was adequate on my boat in this year's LongPac, it will be adequate for your stated use. Ragtime! is 30' but 200# lighter than DreamKeeper and has 400# less ballast. "E" is three feet longer.

The key to all this is to read the weather reports.

IMHO.

[winefood]

Thanks for the specs on Ragtime. I didn't know Ragtime was only 30'. I read the blogs from the SHTP and sometimes it almost felt like being there. Knowing specs on individual boats gives one more of a feel of what day to day sailing on Ragtime is like. Cool name by the way.
I looked up the Specs for a J92S. Do you think the bulb at the bottom of the keel makes your boat less tender than a Hawkfarm because of more effective mechanical effort?
Is it just esthetics or a waste money that drives your concern about, putting "all those fasteners in a Hawkfarm mast"?
Anyway, if your second reef is only at 30%, how did you qualify for the offshore rules? Was it because you also carried your delivery main? I am thinking of just going with 16% and 34% for the new main.

Also, any thoughts on not replacing my 4 and using the storm jib when it blows too hard for the #3? The storm jib seems like too much sail reduction from the #3 to me.

[BobJ]

Do you think the bulb at the bottom of the keel makes your boat less tender than a Hawkfarm because of more effective mechanical effort?

At enough heel angle, yes. Initial stability (up to 20 degrees) is probably similar.

Is it just esthetics or a waste of money that drives your concern about putting "all those fasteners in a Hawkfarm mast"?

Neither. Every screw is an entry point for corrosion. I think it would substantially weaken the mast over time. I see trys'l tracks on larger cruising boats where there's ample room alongside the primary track/slot, and the mast has more wall thickness to handle the extra holes and fasteners.

Anyway, if your second reef is only at 30%, how did you qualify for the offshore rules? Was it because you also carried your delivery main?

For the races that require it, I carry a trys'l with slugs (probably what you have).

I am thinking of just going with 16% and 34% for the new main.

FWIW that's what I would do, for your stated use.

Also, any thoughts on not replacing my 4 and using the storm jib when it blows too hard for the #3? The storm jib seems like too much sail reduction from the #3 to me.

I'd do the main for now (since you said it's blown out) and go sail the boat.