TOO MUCH WIND??? HOW TO REEF SINGLE-HANDED
21 December 2025 · 11 min · 936 views · Torri del Benaco, Italy
What this video covers
Maurizio demonstrates single-handed reefing on a Comet 770 on Lake Garda in 15–17 knots of northeast wind, with the boat heeling hard enough to prompt the maneuver.7:51 He breaks the process into ten ordered steps: (1) bear away to a broad close-hauled course of roughly 55–60 degrees; (2) ease the mainsail sheet so the boat drives on the genoa alone; (3) ease the vang; (4) tension the topping lift to keep the boom horizontal; (5) ease the main halyard until the reef cringle aligns with the boom; (6) tension the reefing line (borosa); (7) re-tension the main halyard; (8) re-tension the vang; (9) ease the topping lift; (10) sheet the mainsail back in.2:14 He notes that without an autopilot the boat will bear away uncontrollably under genoa alone, making a second crew member or autopilot essential for solo reefing.1:31 The sequence is demonstrated live under sail after hoisting both the mainsail and genoa from the dock.3:45
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