How to reef the sail on Tiwal sailboats?

For each of its models, Tiwal offers the option of a reefable sail. This type of sail offers the ability to adjust the surface area of the sail, to maximise wind conditions and meet crew preferences. This takes a matter of minutes and is done without tools.

When should the sail be reefed?

As wind speeds increase, the boat will tend to list and sailing becomes less comfortable. This is an ideal time to reduce the surface area of the sail; or to “reef the sail”.

How are the boomless sails on the Tiwal 2, Tiwal 2L and Tiwal 3 reefed?

Reducing the surface area of a reefable sail is done in a few simple steps:

1. Release the traveller rope, vang and Cunningham
2. Place the rigging on the ground
3. Remove the lower sail batten, and insert this into the channel above
4. Move the rigging and mainsheet up to be level with the same channel above
5. Roll up the lower portion of the sail and secure using the clips
6. Remove the top section of the mast, or lengthen the strap at the very top of the sail (to allow mast to extend beyond the reefed height of the sail).

Increasing the sail surface area is done by following essentially the same steps, but in reverse, to release the rolled-up portion of the sail and adding the extension of the mast (or tightening the strap at the top of the mast, to ensure the extended sail runs along the full length of the mast).

See below an illustration of the process, as well as a video tutorial.

Reefing the sail follows largely an identical process for the Tiwal 2, 2L and 3, but is slightly different for the Tiwal 3R, which comes equipped with a boom.

How is the surface of the sail (with a boom) on a Tiwal 3R adjusted?

1. Place the rigging on the ground
2. Remove the mast
3. Remove the mainsheet and traveller rope
4. Detach the boom from the sail
5. Roll up the lower portion of the sail and secured using the clips
6. Reattach the boom to the sail
7. Remove the top section of the mast, or lengthen the strap at the very top of the sail (to allow mast to extend beyond the reefed height of the sail)
8. Re-insert the mast
9. Reinstall the mainsheet and traveller rope