FCL sails, reefing

We have the FCL sails on our new 388 and I'm trying to figure out when (and if) to reef. 

The main works great and it's easy to get a good shape with the first reef (haven't tried the second). 

The jib is more of a question mark: 

- Is it designed to be reefed? I found a polyester laminate sail on Elvström's page, but not sure if it's the same one (see link). They, however, say: "You have options to add a reef compensator that makes the sail efficient also when reefed". I assume Hanse's standard FCL jib doesn't have that? (I admit I haven't looked at the sail very carefully yet, though.)

- When and how do you generally reef when upwind and reaching? Going upwind 20-24 knots (TWS) with one reef in the main felt great but rolling out all of the jib felt quite overpowered. I'm sure it could have been trimmed/flattened better, but anyway.

- Is there a manual for Hanse's version of the FCL jib anywhere? I remember seeing an empty sailbag, so I have to check if there's something inside that. 

Thank you for your opinions :)

Thank you for your comment!

I'm just a bit worried about breaking the jib or shortening its life too much. On my earlier boats the furling jibs have been strengthened about where they are supposed to be reefed and this jib doesn't seem to have anything like that. 

 

+1

 

I'd echo above although haven't take my 418 out in that strength of wind yet.

 

My last boat (31' and essentially the same rig; big main and self tacker) would be sailed the same. Full blade jib followed by reef one and then reef two. In fact my "next gear" after than tended to be to drop the main completely and sail under self tacking jib alone. in 27knts or so she would then be beautifully balanced and probably sail nearly as quick.

 

You will be floating ;-)  Yup - I have that feeling too, which is why I had a third reef installed on the last boat, which was never used, and a third reef installed on the Hanse (& I doubt I will ever use it either ;-)

 

For now I have only had the additional reef points added to the sail as I figured it was easier to do that whilst the sail was still new. I haven't yet worked out how I will route the reef lines (I suspect I will have to lose one side of the mainsheet to free up a clutch). Not sure yet how I feel about that as I haven't sailed the boat enough

I talked to Elvstrøm as well and wrote a summary of it all here: https://nakedsailor.blog/2019/06/30/dont-reef-the-fcl-jib/

There are some quotes from this thread included. Hope that this is ok 

One further thing I didn't know is that the FCL sails are manufactured by Dimension Polyant (apparently in cooperation with Elvstrøm, since their logo is on the sail.). 

"FCL is a grey High Performance Cruising laminate from premium producer Dimension Polyant, specially fabricated for Hanse Group. Inner Mylar- and Polyester load string construction is protected by both sides Taffeta, a very strong, durable and shape resistant cloth."