tomodda wrote:@acornrunner:
What are your winds usually like out on Lake Springfield? Are you regularly getting so much that you need reefs, etc? As GL points out, you can do a lot to control your mainsail by flattening it. Vang, Outhaul, Cunningham (or Boom Downhaul).
I have a small inland lake, I am envious reading about outings on the edge of the ocean, or camping trips on the coastal waterways. Two or three hours and I have covered the lake pretty well one end to the other.
If I keep an eye on the weather, I can run for home, before I get into trouble. I have solid cell service everywhere, radar at my fingertips. So why worry about reefing? There are days I want to sail, not look at the lake.
I am truly torn as I think about my DS2. I love that it is so so very simple to rig. A boom vang is in my future, but yes that is just a little extra complexity. Outhaul I have, Cunningham I don't. Need to add some fittings to attach a downhaul to. Again pretty simple stuff, but yes more rigging.
Reefing, seems like a great idea, pretty simple to add, oh yep, more lines.
Right now I have the mainsheet, and the Jib sheets, and the outhaul, four lines. about as simple as it gets. I want all the bells and whistles, and I don't, at the same time, I can't explain it, I'm not sure I get it myself.
I do plan on adding a ratchet block for the mainsheet. I'm just mulling on the rest
"Smooth Sailing". DS2. Lake Springfield, Springfield, IL