Just purchased a Nonsuch 30 and was wondering how to attach the luff reefing lines. There doesnt seem to be a place to attach the line on the other side on the mast. I have four blocks on the starboard side (two clue reefing lines, choker and topping lift) do I double up on one of the block mast fittings? Can anyone share a photograph?
Really looking forward to sailing this boat in the fall, thinking I need to be able to reef the sail.
Thanks - Eric
Welcome to Nonsuchery. The answer to your question depends somewhat on how your boat and sail are set up. On our 30 the luff or inboard reef lines are led forward from the cockpit on the port side through two bullseye fairleads on the cabin top, then up through a double block shackled to the port side base of the mast with the other sail control line turning blocks. From the block, they go up through one of the bails on either side of the mast just below the tack of the sail (on our boat the first reef goes up to port and the second reef to starboard), then up through one of the two reef tack fittings (on our boat we have dog bone style reef tacks), then back down to terminate on the bails they came up through. Hope that makes sense. If not, maybe someone else will explain it better. If you’re like most of us you’ll love your Nonsuch and have a great time figuring it all out. Good luck.
David Young
Bay Cat, 30U #402
Suttons Bay, MI
USA
Mine only has one tack reef line with a reef hook on it. It simply hooks in the first reef, goes down to a turning block on the port side of the mast collar and then aft through the deck organizer and bullseyes to the cockpit. If I ever need a second reef, which as yet I never have. It would require a trip to the foredeck to move the hook up to the second reef. It is simple, works well and doesn’t require me to replace my three place deck organizers with fours.
Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay, B.C.
Thanks David - simple boat but a lot to learn 
I think that will be my approach seeing as I dont have any additional hardware on the boat - is there a particular reef hook I should be looking for?
Don’t use a reef hook if you can avoid it due to having to leave the cockpit when reefing. Your manual will give you diagrams of what equipment you should have and how to run the reefing lines so that you can stay safe in the cockpit. If you don’t have a manual, download it from our website.
Joe Valinoti
S/V IL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
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Eric: Here is a photo of my mast base with the blue line being my 1st reef tack line. It’s not unusual for most Nonsuches to differ. The line goes from the padeye up through the reefing cringle and down the other side of the sail to a turning block at the base of the mast and then back to the cockpit. I’ve not come across any 30’s that differ significantly from this.
Joe Valinoti
S/V IL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
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Do you have four place deck organizers Joe? I’m considering replacing my threes but until I do or until I need to put in a second reef I’m okay with the hook.
I am curious why when we have seven or arguably eight lines leading back to the cockpit, they only gave us six runs.
I understand that the topping lifts originally terminated on the boom but that still leaves us with the second halyard.
I have two fours, Paul.
Joe Valinoti
S/V IL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
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I just measured my centres. I think it’s the right way to go. I’ll just have to find some fours on 2 1/4” centres.
looks like I am missing the eyelet on the mast…
I’m in the process of replacing mine. I went with Spinlocks, and they stack. That means I can more or less just re-use my existing holes through the deck.
b.
Brian
SV Serenity
Nonsuch Nereus #003
I don’t have the fastening padeye or any holes in the mast where they could have been attached ??? When I got the boat the reefing lines were just tied with bowlines through the reefing cringle. The reefing lines on the wishbone have the padeyes and the lines are tied around the wishbone and through the padeyes. I have used the reefing a few times and it works but is this something I should fix and how? Almost everything I read says don’t put holes in the mast.
Peter Farley
Knot in a Hurry #328 u30
Keyport NJ
No, don’t drill into the mast anywhere within 6 feet or so of the deck. We have a stainless steel collar at about knee heighth above the deck that has a welded on sail tack attachment point and the aforementioned bails to lead the reef lines up to the reef tacks. If you don’t have such a collar, I guess I’m not sure what you need to do.
David Young
Bay Cat, 30U #402
Suttons Bay, MI
USA
I thought I noticed in one of the photos some empty tie points that could be used. Maybe with a shackle.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Paul,
What David’s referring to is a collar that looks like this:
This clamps around the mast below the sail track. The holes that appear in the left side of the picture are intended to be sufficient for attaching shackles and blocks, although some people have additional eyes welded.
This picture’s from Mike Quill Yacht RIgging. Quill is one of the original factory team, and is the major source of supply for replacing any parts that are specific to Nonsuches. The section of his web site that covers what he has is https://www.mqyr.com/the_stores.html
I don’t know that his status is during the pandemic. He closed down for awhile, and I don’t know if he’s back up yet.
Also, the advice about avoiding holes in the mast is spot on, but the forces are different on the boom. You don’t, of course, want to swiss-cheese it, but if you need eyes or blocks on the boom that aren’t there, installing those is not out of bounds.
– Bob
Solar Wind
Nonsuch 26C #143
Actually that is not what I was referring to. We have one of those too. That is an aluminum casting that clamps to the mast below the SS one I was speaking of. The one pictured here is the one to which the turning blocks are shackled just above the deck.
David Young
Bay Cat, 30U #402
Suttons Bay, MI
USA
Bob, I think your message was for Eric. I have eyelets for the fixed ends of mine but am currently not using them, just the reef hook.
For the record I have two Spinlock quad organizers on the way and will set up both reefs in the more accepted manner when they arrive. I will also be able to lead my second halyard to the cockpit.
Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay, B.C.
Sorry, looking at the site on too small a screen, I guess.
– Bob
Solar Wind
Nonsuch 26C #143
I have added blocks to the luff points for each reef. This allows the reefed foot to be down in the same spot as the foot of the sail.
This keeps the tension down where the mast is reinforced and not higher up in the sail pack.
As well it removes all the friction.
Last time we reefed it was done in less than 3 boat lengths.