Josh,

Certaintly this will depend on where and how you sail. For me the small incremental cost for the extra reef points would be worth it, better to have and not need. I have them, I do not have lines in the points but, they are there if I needed them, I keep enough spare line aboard to be able to put in a second reef if needed. Off shore outside the Golden Gate the winds can hit the fourties due to local conditions not storms. I would not intentionally go out in these conditions but, I would want the ability to shorten sail if there.

We have a second reef in our main. I've used it twice in fifteen years. That said, it came in handy when needed. More importantly, you have to also ask what size jib you use for when you might expect heavy winds that would necessitate a second reef. We run a small 85% jib during the heavy summer winds we get here, and I put in what I call my "April to September" first reef in the main. During the winter we rarely reef the main and use a 110% jib. I simply do not ever reef either of our jibs.

I removed the bunt lines on the second main reef, and rarely use the ones on the first reef.

We have double line mainsail reefing.

I have a 2nd set of reef points, rarely used, but crucial when needed. I have a tall rig with a 155 genny, for Chesapeake light winds. So when it really breezes up, I need to get rid of a lot of sail. I was out in some heavy winds a couple years ago when I did not have the lines rigged for the 2nd reef, and had way too much weather helm with the single reef, even with a
severely reefed jib. So to me, I'm more than happy to pay for that 2nd set of reef points.

We added a second reef to our mainsail about 8 years ago after being caught in adverse conditions. Have not used it since but know we have it if needed.

David,

With a name like DPOWER, I would expect you to have many reef points.

Not sure if he is related but, I used to need to get Pratt & Whitney engine warranty approved by a fellow named Grant Power.

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I use the second main sail reef to smallest sail area while flying the spinnaker.

It allows me to get more air into the spinnaker in light conditions.

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And yes, I have more than one Power :-)

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Steve,

1. Good one on the 'dpower' joke!

2. Having reef points with no reefing lines rigged could be problematic. I have to reef seldom, but usually I wouldn't have time to be reeving lines.

Just a thought.

How heavy are your reef lines? Mine are (sitting here at a desk I think) 5/8". Drop the sail and seems like I have miles of these big heavy lines all over the place. Could they be lighter without loss of utility? Also, to what extent are reef lines redundant if you have lazy jacks? Dockmates have commented that the jacks will catch the extra sail, a bit sloppy maybe but functional.

drdanj,
Your guess is correct. 5/8" is WAAAAY too big for a reefing line. They probably wouldn't even fit thru the reefing blocks. I think the manual calls for 3/8", and that's plenty. Also, reefing lines and lazy jacks are two different animals. Neither can be used for the other's purpose. Lazy jacks are very light lines used to catch the main so it doesn't spill all over the deck when doused. Reefing lines are used to "shorten sail" when the winds pipes up. Not sure your dockmates understood the question. At least I hope that's their excuse!!

2nd reef? We hardly ever use our 1st reef now, I've rigged a single line reefing system with blocks for the second reef - lets us get a lot of sail off in a short time. Where we sail we often use the 3rd reef and recently had the genoa cut down to about 120% (to get another season). Still not underpowered most of the time :-)