When, Why and How to Reef your Sails

[@AlanpittsS2a]

Thanks for not wasting 20 minutes for 3 minutes of info

[@bobshearer7345]

Five stars!! Very straightforward and comprehensive without being lengthy. Will watch it again and again plus save as a favorite. Thank you. Bob

[@CaptainLang]

Wow, thanks!

[@mickey1299]

That was the info i wanted , good man . 15 degrees , i knew there would be an ultimate point , and the reason makes perfect sense . Thank you .

[@hfed2657]

New sailor searching for answers and I stumbled on this. The clarity and simplicity is as remarkable as its delivery. I get it ! ... and it feels great 🤗.

[@kirstienield6706]

Accidently found this clip. That's got to be the clearest instruction on how to reef a sail on the tube.

[@bryan_garrick_little]

agreed ! :)

[@elphi4321]

I too came across this channel by accident, but what I found unique was the explanation of 'why' you need to reef your sail.

[@LindaHutchings]

Yes to all! Thank you! 🌬️⛵😳🤣👍

[@sambailey9540]

I appreciate your explanation. Being new at sailing when I try to look up how to do things, the videos seem to be designed more to impress the viewer than instruct because they use salty old sea dog vocabulary. I realize that I need to learn these terms but I prefer videos like yours that explain things where I can understand.

[@dseakin]

Many sailors don't realize how important reefing is. Thank you for explaining it in such a clear way.

[@Prestodigital]

Very important to anticipate the wind getting into the velocity range he mentioned... not as easy at it looks when you're being knocked over in a squall.

[@rjcote45]

My God I love the concept of tutorials but hate almost every one because they are almost always verbose, ambling and poorly executed. You are terse, precise, clear and effortlessly articulate. WHAT A JOY! So well done I am amazed. I agree with the commenter below who said, " That's got to be the clearest instruction on how to reef a sail on the tube.".

[@Horriblebastad]

I'm so glad I found this guy. No bullshit,just good straightforward instruction. He has made reefing less of a scientific phenomenon,and doesn't harp on with mathematical conundrums, and scientifically researched NASA astronaut theories, velocity,wind speeds,and directional pull,aero dynamics,space factors blah blah blah. Simple,and to the point. A1

[@Josh-of-all-Trades]

Reefing didn't make sense to me. This was the first video I've seen that made sense. Thank you.

[@marksvideochannel3592]

Wonderful sail trimming videos, thank you for posting these, from down in New Zealand.

[@leomcnamara8711]

Great video - Unlike others, it's sharp and on-point. Most appreciated...

[@RaphaelOertel]

Finaly a clear ‘how to reef‘ video

[@SailingCoffeecup]

As a weekend warrior.... I've learned alot with your videos. Thank you for doing these!!

[@AtlanticFun]

Thankyou so much for that comprehensive lesson. I gad no idea that too much canvass can so a boat.. very interesting.

[@sailingin-tuitionwithchuck]

Thank you for your series of well done, informative videos. I enjoy and appreciate them.

[@CaptainLang]

Thank you for you kind words.

[@alanwhiplington5504]

Thank you. Straightforward explanation. I've been out more than once on a yacht making no progress in strong winds and heavy seas for lack of seamanship involving some kind of macho desire not to reef. It's an issue seldom addressed.

[@moanatane1832]

Glad to stumble across your video on reefing. I am very happy with the way you clearly and simply explained the method that you used on your yacht. Thank you 😁👍👍

[@CaptainLang]

Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to comment!

[@RaulTorres-hb4cn]

I want to learn to sail and watch a lot of sailing videos, but your video explained why, when and how. I will be liking, subscribing and watching more of your videos. thanks

[@CaptainLang]

Awesome, thank you!

[@mikesoertsz222]

Well, you explained in 3 minutes what took me like 8 days to get into my head (and hands).

[@TheHeatherTube]

This is a great video. Thank you! Happy Sailing!

[@azoresmarine]

Outstanding. Clear and to the point. Thank you.

[@gmancapri]

Best straightforward reefing instructions I have seen.

[@boatMatthias]

Very simple and easy to understand, as my boat has a similar setup. Thank you!

[@imretired1999]

good job clearly showing how each knot and loop is done. beats figuring out the diagrams in knot tying books

[@gregvarv7386]

Very simple and very fast learning!!!

[@frankschannel2642]

Short, sweet, to the point. Thanks!

[@georgewashington7444]

Thanks for excellent tutorial. As my sailing mentor used to harp. “If you think you need to reef your not commanding the boat your swimming behind it”

[@seanrhone5306]

Love this video! About a year ago I was searching for something like this and all the videos I found did a horrible job teaching how to reef.

[@rickancil5222]

I think it has alot has to do with the equipment you have. Mine is an Isomat so it has the reefing lines in the boom. This is the first video that I've found that has in-boom reefing lines and does a great job simplifying and explaining it.

[@amyhoffmann6065]

I agree, this was a very simple and clear explanation of when and who... Great job.

[@janetrod5665]

Very clear explanation and visual. fair winds!!

[@jeremybowles978]

Very good short and to the point lesson. Thanks

[@CaptainLang]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for commenting!

[@nearlynativenursery8638]

Very nice and clear instructions and suggestions. Keep the teaching vids coming.

[@lincfranse4968]

Thank you that was the best explanation I've seen yet and dont even have to change coarse.

[@CaptainLang]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@nodogrunner]

Wonderfully simplistic, you explain weather-helm better than "The Annapolis Book of Seamanship."

[@CaptainLang]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@charlesjames3328]

Flawlessly explained. Great work!

[@tanksouth]

A good teacher. Thank you.

[@svthebayviewcafe7675]

Great job of clear and concise instruction

[@TheMrBennito]

it looks sort of simple enough yet I will have to practice. 40 years ago it seemed to be simpler, there weren't all those blocks and rollers, one just had to bring down the sail and clip a ring in then roll up the loose sail. Yet I sailed a simple BM , or what we call in Holland a 16 m2

[@ajmalmian3653]

Absolutely agree with Kirstie .

[@eKremalas]

Excellent Video! The best in KZbin!

[@CaptainLang]

You are too kind...Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@0718dm]

I keep my main reefed all the time. Shake it out on light air days. It blows well over 10kts most of the time in Narragansett Bay.

[@Horriblebastad]

Good basic informative film

[@richardbedard1245]

Finally, reefing made easy to understand. Thank you!

[@danielswords5013]

Just some additional thoughts: I also raise the topping lift slightly and temporarily to ease the tension on the clew when pulling in the leach reefing line. Because I am older and singlehanded I have attached small blocks on the reefing clews to reduce friction while pulling in the leach reefing lines and I keep one leach reefing line on the port side of the sail and the other on the starboard side so the bunt of the sail is not pinched between the reefing line and the boom when pulling in the lines. Finally since my reefing lines can not be run inside my boom and I reef at the mast I have replaced the tack reefing hook with a snap shackle which makes the task exceptionally easier. Thank you for saying reef the mainsail first before partially furling the jib! So very few people do. Another reason, so much better to have a double reefed main and a full jib because if the wind continues to increase you can then furl the jib and hove-to on a double reefed main. Sailing on just a partially furled jib does not provide that option.

[@CaptainLang]

You make a lot of really good points...Thank you for you comment!

[@bryancrowley9778]

Nice video. Very clear on the reefing procedure.

[@htimst1967]

Clearly explained and demonstrated. Thank you.

[@markrenshaw2279]

Capt. Lang, you forgot to mention the the topping lift before dropping the main!

[@johnfahy6353]

Thank you the video was simple and informative. I am a self taught sailor who made a lot of mistakes in the past . It’s nice to know what to do before I make a mistake .

[@CaptainLang]

Thank you for watching and commenting...It's nice to get feedback!

[@TheJalipa]

Simple and clear! Keep up the good work!

[@paulhearn2857]

Fantastically explained, thank you👍🏻

[@JamesGeers]

Nice clear explanation. Thanks!

[@Mikeandlucy1]

Such a simple and straight forward explanation. I have subscribed

[@CaptainLang]

Thank you very much... I'm working on several new videos now and hope to have them ready soon.

[@jonnorousseau3096]

For off-shore and cruising I prefer a single line reefing system which runs from Reef one on the leech through blocks either on or in the boom, back up to Reef 1's cringle on the luff, back down through a block next to the mast and aft through a cabin top clutch to the cabin top winch, this applies to reefs 1 to 3 (if you have a 3rd) reef, on opposite sides of the boom, 1&3 port side, 2 on stbd, main halyard led aft through a clutch to the other cabin top winch, I prefer external blocks on the boom below the stackpack for maintenance and repair. If you do short-handed or solo sailing it is way better to lead all your lines aft to the cockpit, also highly recommend colour coding reefing lines, I go R1 blue, R2 orange and R3 red, and mark your clutches. Good video, but there are a multitude of ways to reef and it's about what works for you and the conditions that you normally sail in, because of where we sail (South African coast) we put in and shake out reefs a lot, and often in 30+ knots, mind you that's only reef 1 because we have flatter sail cuts and will sail a 42' under full sail until 25+ knots true, mind you we don't bother with putting up canvas until we've got a guaranteed 12 knots true, and regularly sail in over 35 knots, sometimes up to 45 knots when racing

[@CaptainLang]

You make some really great points! In San Diego they call off races if the wind gets up to 25 knots...that's when South African sailors are just getting started.

[@lesliejohnson1296]

Easy to follow your instructions!nThanks and please keep these videos coming!

[@harveywebb6776]

I’m very glad to have found ya will be saving every tip you broadcast thanx

[@CaptainLang]

Thank you for your kind words... I hope to have some new videos soon!

[@13yearsaprepperr.jtilbury.51]

new sailers should learn this it will stay with them for life !

[@davelacasse4938]

Very 👍 good&easy to understand

[@GH02-o_o]

Great explanation, thank you

[@gonefishing1939]

great video. We all know these things on some level but the value of these videos to me is the way way you use the unspoken knowledge. I love your boat, so very well thought out. id say the best sailing vids on youtube, just my thoughts. keep up the great work. your helping so many sailors.

[@CaptainLang]

Thank you so much for the kind words.

[@nancytran5074]

Just a Beautiful video 👍👌🏼👏. Thank you Captain Lang

[@byronspencer539]

These videos are fantastic. Hope ya'll are still making them

[@CaptainLang]

I haven't made any in a while but have several in the works now so stay tuned!

[@PeaceKukkis]

thank you sir i enjoy very much thank you hari om

[@whitefields5595]

Always good to reef without stopping and/or luffing up. Many sailing schools do not take folk to this next level. Far easier to ease the mainsheet, keeping your coarse and the boat is more stable too!

[@CaptainLang]

Well said!

[@SOLDOZER]

Heave-to and reef. Boat will be stationary, and upright.

[@whitefields5595]

Damage ..... if you have to heave-to then you have left it too late. You then have to tack to sail out of the heave-to. Agreed heaving-to is essential if you are in the doo doo, but better to reef early.

[@SOLDOZER]

​@@whitefields5595 No. Not too late. Just my preferred method.

[@thebookwaswaybetter2827]

Thanks! Clear and simple

[@1tanou]

Great video and insights

[@videog7747]

Thank you Captain Lang. Very informative.

[@noelg5783]

Great explanation and set up you have

[@tomasjonusas7408]

Very well done.! Thank you for sharing.

[@piratesjunkremoval]

Sweet reefing set up!

[@alanvictoria9105]

Very good sir

[@f5debris]

Thank you for the easy explanation...

[@steveparker179]

So informative. Thanks 1:44

[@Pays2Win]

So you’re essentially minimizing the surface area of the sail? Never been sailing but it’s fascinating to me.

[@ctcollinthib]

I appreciate the simplicity- sailing is all about efficiency. Too much wind, decrease your sail footprint to minimize your drag through the water.

[@DavidMosby]

I have sailed for 50 years and never reefed. Now I will. Thanks for a short and informative video! Did you mean 15 degrees and not 15%?

[@CaptainLang]

That's it... Keelhaul the proof reader!

[@BoldlyExplore]

thanks for the information

[@johnnyvonline1862]

Thanks for sharing.

[@sharg0]

I'd like to add three important notes to complement the video. First reef _before_ you "must" or start reefed and let out more sail when you're comfortable. Second remember that as the boat heels more the rudder gets inefficient, instead of turning the boat it tries to lift or sink the stern - reefing reduces this problem. Third, especially in rough waters it can be easier to change course into the wind if possible, the boat will move less with the waves meeting the bow first, reduce soaking of crew on deck (or even a breaking wave straight over your back).

[@CaptainLang]

You make some really good points....Thanks for bring them up.

[@sharg0]

@@CaptainLang You're welcome, sailing is a complex subject so it's not possible to cover everything at once and I hadn't commented if I didn't feel the base video was good.

[@kakesen]

Thanks, what about when going down wind?

[@CaptainLang]

That will be the subject of future video. Thank you for your comment.

[@sailingeden9866]

Great video

[@オールマイト-y1f]

Thanks for this.

[@barbarasylvain5060]

I'll need a few views but it seems straightforward and simple. Thank you.

[@paulherzog7100]

Thank you! Is it always enough to use only the reefing points at the very front and back of the sail, or should the middle ones also be used in very strong winds or for bigger sails?

[@CaptainLang]

It depends on the situation. If you were heading into a storm I would definitely want to tie every point down.

[@editpending2079]

hello, glad I found your channel as I am new to sailing and looking to purchase my own soon. Just a question, in this instance would it be plausible to install a jammer, as to reef the sail from the cockpit? I'm looking to circumnavigate solo ( with lessons beforehand and a very good grasp on necessities ) on a center cockpit so as an inexperienced sailor I have to leave the cockpit as infrequently thanks for the videos!

[@CaptainLang]

Yes...It is a good idea to run all lines, including reefing lines into the cockpit. You must also have a good jackline for the times you need leave the cockpit.

[@dcampbell2496]

That was very clear. Thx

[@kentmerrill8925]

Very Good!

[@bryannelson9396]

Very nice! Thank you

[@JC-bqq]

Thanks Captain

[@remigioboria4872]

Gracias

[@luisfernandez7298]

I believe you have meant to say "15 degrees" rather than 15%... Cheers, Luis.

[@crybllrd]

With this reefing setup, how would one go about adding a second reef on the main? Fantastic video!

[@CaptainLang]

Depends on the design of your boom. On mine I can have two reefing lines. The one I have set up is to the second reef. I find the first reef on my boat is not worth the effort and I go straight to the second reef. If I was to do an ocean crossing I would hook up the second reefing line to the third reef for light storm conditions. In a moderate to big storm I would not use the main but raise a storm tri-sail.

[@ROBBANKS666666]

Awesome thanks

[@johnclark1925]

Excellent. Liked and sub’d 😎👍

[@deardaughter]

Good stuff.

[@yottiechick]

Good on you

[@craigmackenzie3983]

Simple and Succinct.

[@philipdonegan9716]

I love your short and to the point videos. May I ask, what is the deck non-slip covering you have on. It looks great.

[@CaptainLang]

The non-skid is the original molded fiberglass textured deck from 1982.

[@m0cca1997]

No mention of setting the topping left correctly to stop the boom from falling when the main halyard is eased, or loosening the vang.

[@CaptainLang]

The topping lift should not be so lose that it is wiping around hitting the sail. If it is set correctly for regular sailing when its time to reef and ease the halyard the boom will only drop an inch or so. You are correct in that I should have mentioned something about this.

[@daveblackford6097]

Hi Captain, in a reefing system with a separate line at each cringle what is the best knot to use for reefing the main?

[@CaptainLang]

If you mean to secure the beginning of your reefing line then use a bowline.

[@daveblackford6097]

@@CaptainLang Thank you for getting back to me. Fair winds.