We currently have a single-line reefing boom set up on our 2002 Bavaria 40..... the boat came with a second reef that is currently lost inside the boom and we're not sure how to get it out!
Hi Sail Princess,
Several years ago I too lost one of the reefing lines within the boom on my B36(2002). In order to resolve the problem, and in addition to looking at those downloads from Seldon referred to earlier in this thread for guidance, The first thing was to remove the black aluminium moulded end cap from the aft end of the boom. The loose end of rope from the second reef was seen to be laying out of reach some halfway along the boom. So I decided to start from scratch and pulled the entire rope out from the forward end of the boom. Threading a light line to use as a pull through first around the sheave where the reefing line enters the boom, I then attached it securely with a rolling hitch around the nearest piece of rope within the boom from the first reefing line (this was quite tricky), and was able to pull the first reefing line such that the light line was caused to travel to the aft end of the boom. Unfortunately my memory is a bit rusty on what came next, but essentially by using the reefing line that was in position to haul the light pull through line from one end of the boom to the other and finally pull the second reefing line back into position, it was possible to resolve the problem. During the process I found it necessary to remove the car for the second reefing line, whereupon the wheels for that car fell out. They are only held in place by good luck and a thin smear of grease, and when they fall out, at least one will hit the deck and bounce overboard. At that point one is likely to utter some four letter word like "Oops," but that is nothing near as strong as what I thought of the price charged for new wheels.
When I had a new mainsail made I was asked if I wanted, and was persuaded to have provision for a third reef, but have never used it partly because I have not got a third reefing line fitted, and partly because I think if the weather gets that bad that firstly I don't need a sail up, and secondly it's time to fire up Mr Volvo and go home. The main thing with reefing I think is to get it done before the weather gets bad enough to need it rather than after, and particularly with in mast reefing where I've seen, experienced and heard of too many occasions where owners have had difficulties in not being able to retract their main sails on account of them jamming or tearing.