Acorn To Arabella · video

What this video covers

Installing a reefing system and a Cunningham downhaul on the wooden boat Arabella requires creating flat mounting surfaces on the mast and booms for cheek blocks and cleats.7:54 To ensure accurate placement of the reefing hardware, the crew hoists the mainsail to verify grommet alignment against the boom before finalizing the installation of the cheek blocks.12:27 The Cunningham system utilizes a block and tackle with a Dyneema loop and a lignum vitae dog bone to increase luff tension, which improves upwind performance by pulling the sail down against gravity.10:28 Additionally, the crew replaces the staysail’s lower turnbuckle with a top-mounted version to allow the sail to set lower on the mast and installs new, properly sized slides on the staysail to resolve previous hoisting difficulties.16:27 These modifications allow for more precise sail shape control and easier handling of the gaff-rigged sail plan.

More from Acorn To Arabella

We Stripped Our Wooden Sailboat Back to Bare Wood... AgainOct 2026Saying Goodbye to Newfoundland—and the Man Who Inspired ArabellaSep 2026Upgrading the Rudder and Another Trek To The CliffAug 2026We're Climbing a Wall No One Has Ever Climbed Before | Rock Climbing on Newfoundland's South CoastJul 2026

From Acorn To Arabella — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.