How to Lower the Mainsail | Inspire and Learn Basics | TMG Yachts

[@StartVisit]

great, thank you. still waiting for episode for Navigation waypoints chart plotter autopilot setup. thank you.

[@mr.nieves4344]

Wonderful Video! You make everything seem how it must be, Enjoyable 😉! Watching all your videos with my family and sharing with fellow sailors! Thanks for your time!!!

[@TMGYachts]

Thank you for all your kind words.

[@HellOnReels]

Great videos! I have a question about Cats with a single line slab reefing system like this Lagoon. When raising the main sail we need to make sure the reefing line clutches are open so they don't restrict the sail from rising. What about when lowering the main, do we pull the reefing lines thru their clutches as the sail comes down in order to take up their slack? If not, isn't there a chance the slack in the reefing lines could cause tangles with other sail lines next time the sail is raised? Thanks!

[@timhoops7782]

Love your videos. We have chartered many boats and everyone of them has had a problem getting thge mainsail down. We use the techiques you have shown but the carts get sticky and we have to put someone up there to pull the sail down for the final half or so. I assume this is a function of poor maintenace of the carts but is it possible to secure a down haul line to help the sail come down?

[@TMGYachts]

If the sail slides aren't maintained they can as easily become stuck through down force as well as upward force so a downhaul wouldn't be a true fix. Presuming the carts on this vessel aren't now damaged through lack of preventative maintenance. I would suggest making sure the company are regularly using silicon spray (Or alike) on the slides. A lot of these companies supply a can in the tool kit if you do have trouble on charter. Spraying this into the slides when the main is down generously, and then raising and lowering a few times will loosen any build ups. If these are large block style slides make sure to get the straw of the can right into all the bearings. If this doesn't fix the sticking issue, speak to the Charter base as there will either be damage to the carts or mast internals. Thanks for your message and safe sailing! TMG.

[@jordan0brown]

We’re those the reef lines hanging out the back of the sail back as the main came down? Do you take up the reef slack during or after lowering the main?

[@TMGYachts]

Hi Jordan, there is no need to take up slack in all reef lines. In fact if you do this you can create extra work for yourself, next time you want a full sail out you are not only hoisting the weight of the sail but you are also pulling additional lines through blocks and round corners creating additional friction. Of course there are times, when you will have a full sail out and you reef once, then twice, then drop the sail and they will be in tight anyway. In this instance you know you have to have both reefing lines free to run next time you want to hoist to full sail. The best practice would be to lower the main without pulling in any additional reef lines tight. Then when you go to the mast to secure the sail and close the sail bag, tuck all the lines into the sail bag nicely. Conversely when you next want to go for a sail. When at the mast opening the sail bag, check at this point if you have any reefing lines tight, you can then have that line ready to run free when hoisting for a smooth lift. I've even met Captains that at the end of each sail, manually pull out all their reefs so they have an easy lift again to full sail. This comes down to preference. I hope this helps

[@mikechristiansen4648]

Do you pull the reefing lines as the main sail is lowered?

[@nickmerritt]

Do you typically leave the reefing lines out in the sail too?

[@omerceliker1878]

Thank you Nick, I was considering to ask same question. When you leave reefing lines out result is spaghetti

[@pburke5760]

is there a way to lower it and not have the reefing lines spaghetti out the back?

[@jozsefszoke4447]

And what’s about the reefing lines??? This is going like in a tale…