Smeerreep

The Smeerreep is a line required for reefing the main sail of a sailing boat ( rigging ). The Smeerreep holds the rear (aft) reef thimble on the tree . Reefing is used to reduce the sail area in strong winds.

The triangular main sail of a high rigged boat ( sloop , ketch , yawl or kat rigging ) is reefed by pulling it down a little and the lower, now slack part of the sail is gathered up and lashed to the tree . In order to hold the sail in the new position, the sail has pairs of thimbles (eyes, mostly made of metal), the so-called reef thimbles. One thimble on the front edge of the sail (the luff ), the other on the rear edge (the leech). A line is pulled through both to pull down and fasten the sail. The line pulled through the rear Reffkausch is the Smeerreep. It is usually guided via a pulley on the tree to a fastening option that can be reached from the cockpit .

The pulley must be attached a little behind the reef thimble to allow sufficient tension of the foot (lower edge of the sail).

If several pairs of reefing thimbles are attached to the sail - one each on the luff and one at the appropriate height on the leech - the sail area can be reduced in several stages. There are also constructive solutions for reefing without sea reep.