Has anyone changed the way a 40 is rigged for reefing?

I started looking for alternative methods to reef. Using the small winch
under the boom and on the back side of the mast is a terrible
arrangement. Yes, it can be done, but bringing in the new reefed clew on
the small winch when only a half turn can be achieved is a nightmare in
bad weather.

The only idea I have at this time for change is to mount a small winch
on the starboard side and forward on the boom. Mount "T" track on the
same side of the boom below the clew reef points and run the reefing
lines from the sail to a block on the "T" track and externally, forward
to the boom mounted winch. This would require stoppers mounted on the
boom so the reef line can be secured.

What have others done regarding this? Do the Baba 30/35's have the same
issue?

Rich Cassano
S/V Gray Eagle, Tashiba 40

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Received on Wed Oct 4 09:57:16 2006