A reef hook is a great tool for working with currents, but it’s not something you need to bring on every dive. At some destinations with currents abounding—Galápagos, Cocos, Fiji—you will want to bring a reef hook on every dive. At other destinations, it’s simply not required. When you and your group of friends hook in, you tend to line up side by side along the edge of the reef wall. From an external perspective, it’s like an audience at a performance. But when the wind abates and you're ready to shake out your reef, there are a few things you ought to do.

We have an unrivaled commitment to our customers, offering a professional, friendly service and giving unbiased advice - whatever your needs. We do not, and will not compromise on the service that we offer at any time. A reef hook can be a key piece of equipment in an underwater photographer’s arsenal, especially in strong currents. With the thousands of dollars in photo gear you likely lug around, it’s smart to invest in a quality reef hook to bring with you. We hope that this helps. Please feel free to send us some pictures of the boat in it’s entirety, the boom, and also the cabin top area from the mast, aft. Zooming out is always preferred.

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Happy Holidays! As this other article states, we would recommend that you lead the reef line aft (as I am sure the others already are) to accompany the main halyard. This is the safest, simplest and most functional method of adding a 4th reef in our opinion. Before using a reef hook, ensure you have good buoyancy control and can maintain a stable position in the water without putting too much weight on the reef. On bigger boats like the Endeavour, a reefed main means a lower center of gravity in addition to reduced sail area. Roller furlers are also great, if they are rigged correctly. A simple pull of the roller furling line can shorten a jib or a main and reduce sail quite nicely.

Whatever reefing system you have and whether you are a fair weather sailor or a crusty old salt, reefing is a great tool to make an unsafe voyage safe and an uncomfortable crew comfortable on a windy day. So now we know what reefing is: shortening sail to depower the boat and lower the center of gravity of the boat to make it more comfortable for the crew. When should we reef? In olden days the first reef was known as the ‘slab’ and this term has rattled down over the years to describe the various methods of slab reefing. Actually the terminology surrounding this whole subject is vague, with different definitions describing different methods in different parts of the world. Usually, the words ‘line’, ‘pennant’ or ‘pendant’ are interchangeable and describe the various ropes used in lowering and securing the sail. Once the reef hook is securely anchored, attach yourself to it by clipping your safety line or another attachment point to the hook. Be sure to use a strong and secure attachment point, and avoid putting too much weight on the hook or pulling too hard on the reef. 4-Observe the environment Excellent post, charlesml3. I'm sure this thread is going to attract a lot of "to hook, or not to hook, that is the question." I'm not even gonna go there.

Reefing Your Mainsail: Are you onboard with reef hooks?

From cam cleats to the recently acquired 'Karverized' Pontos winches, Karver have a plethora of high-performance hardware and furling solutions. There are many variations and details in setting up one of these systems on your boat. Please consult with your local rigging professional to determine which set up is the best for you. Reefing Winch Below the Boom Nothing beats the feeling when your boat wakes up and all the forces at play work together to make your sails sing and your hull hum. I also have seen skippers confuse their halyards with in-mast roller furlers with cataclysmic results.

The sheet bend has a tendency to slip out, which is why considerable care should be taken to make sure that it becomes fully tightened as the sail is raised. If you see the knot slipping, simply tighten it a bit more and continue raising the sail. It will become incredibly tight as the winch pulls the sail into position and will not come untied under any situation! I could just hold the rope or use a T-handle." Not for very long. I'm not going to even try to estimate the current at Blue Corner but it's heavy and it surges. It's strong enough that you hear the roar in your ears. One may be able to hold a rope or handle for a few minutes. But what if the knife goes away, or you can't get to it, or whatever? Then it comes down to being able to release the connection to your BC, or that of another incapacitated diver. I personally think any type of typical bolt snap that has a "hook" of sorts in it can be dangerous in this situation. I prefer an attachment of this type: But again, you're changing the angle of force on the stay or mast and when the wind blows harder things are easier to break.The first time you shake out your reef, you will notice the advantage of a full sail and it will feel like you stepped out of a car after a long road trip, ready to stretch your legs and run. First sail close-hauled or on a very close reach. The helm’s attention should be focused entirely on maintaining the course. Palau is a remote location in the island nation of Micronesia, in the western Pacific, and is home to some of the world's most pristine coral reefs. The strong currents in the area can make diving challenging, but a reef hook can help divers to stay in one place and observe the local wildlife without damaging the ecosystem. Great Barrier Reef, Australia Top five as rated by Upffront.com In this article we round up five of the best bottom up furlers on the market. Choosing the right furler is a question of boat size and SWL (safe working load), sail area, performance level and budget. Posted on 5 Oct Premium Ropes range - which rope to choose? Using a reef hook is relatively simple, but there are a few things to remember to ensure you use it effectively and responsibly. Here are the basic steps for using a reef hook: 1-Find a suitable location