Our experience has shown that a modern triradial cruising laminate genoa can be reefed very effectively to between 60% and 66% of its full size. Remember, area is a square measure, so reducing the LP by 20% reduces the area by 36%. Marking the foot of your sail at 10% and 20% of its length is a helpful way to reproduce reef amounts. You can then mark the correct sheet lead block positions for each of these settings.

The major limitation on reefing is the loss of halyard tension when the leech and foot slide toward each other along the luff extrusion as the sail is rolled up. Wind pressure in the sail when reefing makes this tendency greater. For best results when reefing, ease the sheet before rolling up to keep the sail luffing freely, with just enough tension to keep the clew from snapping like a whip.

Maine Sailing Partners
www.mesailing.com
1-888-788-SAIL