Submitted on May 9, 2005 by Richard Schmidle

Question: I recently purchased a 2002 model year Hunter 170 with original equipment sails from North. There's a feature on the mainsail that I don't recognize and don't know how to use: along the leech, extending from the clew up to the first (and only) reef point, is a small line. For most of its length, the line is enclosed within the leech. At the lower end, just above the clew, the line exits the leech at a small sewn-in jam cleat. At the upper end, the line is exposed for a length of about 10 inches, aft of the reef point, and the upper terminus is sewn fast into the leech. The line slides freely within the leech. It's adjustable, but for what purpose?

Hunter supplied a pair of pennants, for the reef tack and the reef clew, respectively, as well as cheek blocks, pad eyes and cleats that permit the mainsail to be reefed from a position near the gooseneck. Is the small line running up the leech part of this reefing system? If so, when and how do I use it?

Also, the mainsail has a pair of reinforced eyelet holes for reef ties, but there are no ties in place. What kind of ties do you recommend, and what's the best way to secure them to the sail?

And while I'm asking: below the mainsail clew, there's a rope tail extending downward from the luff for about 18 inches. As my boat is currently rigged, I see no purpose for it. Can you tell me what it's for?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Richard Schmidle
Rochester NY

Answer: Hi Richard,

The small line along the leech is there for you to use in stronger winds, when the fabric between the batten ends begins to flutter. The leechline should be just tight enough to stop the fluttering. When the breeze dies down a little, you should ease the leech line. Then, when the breeze comes back up and the fabric starts to flutter again, pull the cord just enough to quiet the sail. The cord is exposed at the reef so that you can adjust it with the sail reefed.

The intermediate reef tie in points can be tied with any small cord or webbing sail ties. You can tie the cords with a square knot, or make a loop in one end and tie the cord off with two half hitches through the loop. It is best to tie the cords loosely around the sail, but not around the boom, so that, if the reefing lines slip or are mistakenly eased prior to releasing the intermediate ties, the grommets will not rip out.

I am not exactly sure what you are referring to in your 3rd question. If you meant to say the rope tail was at the tack of the mainsail, then what you are looking at is the end of the luff rope. The rope is pulled out of its dacron tape housing in order to put some tension in the rope along the luff of the sail. We leave the extra rope there because some ropes actually shrink over time. If yours shrinks to the point where it is difficult to pull the halyard all the way up, a sailmaker can relieve the tension by letting that rope tail shoot back up into the dacron tape.

Regards,
Dan Neri

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