SO 33i

[iancymru]

Taking delivery of a new SO33i in a weeks time does anyone know the manufacturer of the factory fit windlass (as need to get compatible chain). Also has anyone experience of putting in a 3rd reefing point on the main sail. Cheers Ian

[abgreenbank]

Hi , you may find the third reef is already fitted, on my 50DS with classic mast delivered last season, the third reef line was fitted, not the same setup as the first two, has to be manually attatched at gooseneck, but still a pleasant surprise. Once you find out what size chain you need try Handy Straps in Plymouth, I got 100m of 12mm calibrated chain delivered with a testing certificate for less than £600, just give them a call.

rgrds

alistair

[sitara]

Hi Ian,
I have just had a third reef put into the main on my SO36i. Unlike the other two reefs it needs to be attached at the gooseneck and there is no mechanical advantage for the leech rope in the boom - it is just straight through. The resultant reef is a big one giving an area about the same as a trysail which I don't have. It is an easy job for a sailmaker and not expensive.
As to the anchor windlass, get the gypsy details from your agent and then get chain to suit. Carefully consider how much chain you need and its weight. I put 40 m of 10 mm chain on the SO36i and this certainly pushed the bow down. I also have 100 m of rope on the chain.
Congratulations on the new boat - a very exciting time coming up!

[iancymru]

Thanks for the replies very useful and was a bit wary of the weight of chain for'd, it will be 10mm and probably 30m long with the rest 18mm rope. I will have to look at the boom fittings for running the 3rd reef, not that I wish to go out in conditions requiring it , but a nice to have option. As a mater of interest what sort of wind speeds do you find the second reef being over pressed. Cheers Ian

[sitara]

Hi Ian,
We have a smaller than standard headsail, about 100% overlap maybe a touch bigger. This really comes into its own at wind speeds of 10-12 knots. This sail tends to stay on the furler most of the time as we have afternoon seabreezes that come in at about 20 knots. With this headsail we would reef for upwind work at about 15 knots and put the second reef in at around 20 knots. We have not been in a situation where we have had to use the third reef but would imagine using it at windspeeds of 25-30 knots. We mainly cruise so have no great wish to be out in heavy winds, but still you have to be prepared.

[iancymru]

Hi sitara,
that confirms what I found on my last boat (delphia29) in that initially I reefed in the fore sail before moving onto the main. On that boat I had a third reef added and shifted the fitted one line reefing lines to the second and third reef positions and had the first reef available with a hook at the gooseneck system as not enough sheaves in the boom for the three. But will see how the set up is on the Jeanneau as I believe there is a block arrangement in the boom and not sure if there will be enough play there for this to work on the third reef.
Getting excited now and nearly there with getting the extras sorted although sure there will be other bits to get once underway.
Cheers Ian 

[sitara]

Hi Ian,
The block arrangement in the boom of the 36i would not have enough scope to work with the third reef. This probably explains why the second reef is quite small - in my boat giving about a 24% reduction in sail area. My sail maker designed the stormsail and the third reef so we should be able to control the boat in 30-40 knot winds. As he said you have to be able to sail away from a lee shore in a blow when the motor wont start!

There will be heaps to set up on the new boat - I am still adding bits and pieces.
Rob

[iancymru]

Cheers Rob,
thats useful to know, the local sail training school have a fleet of Jeanneaus most around the 32- 36ft mark and a new 379, I saw them out training a few days ago in 30 to 35kts of wind and all had a third reef tucked in, and all seemed to be going well (upright and booms in), so will pop and see their set up. 
I have got most of the bits to get going but as there a few months til our real season starts I will try and get the third reef sorted while they rig the boat as may need a extra block here and there and perhaps a hole in the canvas cover part of the stack pack to allow the aft reefing lines to pass around the boom. (did you find this necessary)
I was also wondering how you attached your anchor rope to the chain did you back splice it on or weave it down the chain.
Ian

[sitara]

Hi Ian,
Great if you can pick the brains of some local Jeanneau sailors. Always get good ideas to work with. My local chandler supplied the anchor chain already spliced to the three strand rope using a back splice. 40 m of chain was pretty hard to move around! The splice goes through the windlass gypsy with no problems at all. I did the spice to my second anchor chain, no problem at all if you have done a few splices. My only concern with the splice was wear between the rope and chain but this is something I check on an annual basis and when letting out rope.
Rob

[iancymru]

Hi Rob,
I will be going with 30m of chain and will also join with a end splice on the last link as it a relatively easy splice and can be inspected relatively easily for wear, and goof to hear it goes through the windlass, thanks for that and another one off the list.
Ian