Sailing guide
When to reef?
The best rule fits in one sentence: "if you're wondering whether you should reef, you already should have." Here are some concrete benchmarks.
Sail-plan benchmarks (cruiser)
These values are indicative — they depend on the boat, the point of sail and the crew — but they give a good starting point for a production cruiser beating or reaching:
| True wind | Sail plan |
|---|---|
| up to ~12 knots | full mainsail + genoa |
| ~12–18 knots | first reef considered, genoa slightly furled |
| ~18–23 knots | 1 reef + reduced genoa |
| ~23–28 knots | 2 reefs |
| > ~28 knots | 3 reefs / heavy-weather storm sails |
Off the wind you can carry a little more sail; but that's also where you underestimate the true wind (it "feels" lighter).
Signs of being overpowered
- Excessive heel — the boat lies over and doesn't go any faster.
- Heavy, weather helm that pulls you up into the wind.
- Difficulty holding your course in the gusts.
- Tense crew, strenuous manoeuvres.
Anticipate with the weather: look at the forecast gusts, not just the mean wind. If the app forecasts 18 knots mean with gusts to 26, trim your sail plan for the gusts.
Example
Afternoon outing, a thermal breeze building: 10 knots at 2 pm, 16 knots at 3 pm, gusts to 22 forecast for 4 pm. You take the 1st reef around 3 pm, calmly, rather than in the first big gust.
The golden rule
Reef early and calmly, shake it out again once you're sure. Reducing sail is always easier before it starts to blow harder.