You are correct. I am definitely learning as I go here. It was an earlier comment that alerted me to the fact that I had it wrong, so I started paying more attention to what others were doing. The end of the reefing line runs through the reef clew and then ties to the boom so that the force is downward instead of pulling on the slugs in the mast track.

@@docofthebay1224 I’m learning too. That’s why I watched your video. Still trying to wrap my head around the reason for blocks inside the boom. Seems to add a level of complexity without any benefit. Maybe 2 shorter lines rather than 1 long one?!? My thoughts on rigging a reefing line would be through the gooseneck to the tack, back down to the boom, along the boom and up to the clew, then back down to the end of the boom. Obviously this would require a lot of blocks or rings to make the 90 and 180 turns for the line to run through, but would give you a 2:1 purchase and if done properly, can give you the proper angles to tension everything. I know some prefer a reefing line not go through the tack at all and use a cunningham for downhaul tension. But I’d prefer to stay in the cockpit while reefing.

I think I can say with confidence that connecting two blocks inside the boom, the way I have done, achieves nothing. If I had one block in there, pulling with 50 Newtons of force would generate 100 Newtons of force against whatever is attached to the block. Because of that second block, the force gets distributed across 2 lines so I only get 50 Newtons at the clew. Better to have just run a line straight through. If I redo this, I would rig it the way you describe so I can reed without leaving the cockpit.

Hmmm. Interesting thought. Not sure I agree. Need to think about it some more. I would estimate about 800 lbs of force on that second reef line in brisk winds, heeled over at 30 degrees. My understanding is that fixing one end of a line and running the other through a single block will reduce that force by 50%. Not sure if the second block is reducing it any more, but I suspect it is taking it down another 25%. I'm all for reducing those forces. I'm not using the inside of my boom for anything else.

2:1 connected to a 1:2 purchase = 1:1. So might as well just eliminate the blocks and run the reef line straight thru.

Agree 100%. Would be best if the reef lines could run straight vertical. I'm sure this boom is a 1992 design. Will definitely rig the lines externally and straight down when we do a major refit.