claverton said..
My preference is mainsail winch and reefing at the mast rather than cockpit. Mainsail halyard is currently on one of those old wire winches on the cabin top just aft of the mast which makes reefing problematic for solo.
If you have to go to the mast to reef you need a halyard winch there plus a winch on the boom for the inhaul and outhaul plus the topping lift. You save on some cordage and have less friction but it is time consuming and your some distance from your steering.
My Currawong was set up for racing but its also the ideal for solo sailing. At the rear of the cabin I have four winches and numerous jamcleats. Everything comes back to my normal steering position. When I reef I usually have the windvane steering the boat or I can use my butt cheeks! To reef I ease the mainsheet, haul in the topping lift, ease the halyard to a mark on the halyard. Haul in the inhaul on a two speed winch, haul in the outhaul on the other two speed winch. Haul in the main and pick up my book. Takes about as long as it takes me to type this. The course alters slightly with the vane but comes back on course when the main is pulled in. Yes there is more friction and I have a heap of cordage around my feet but if you have all this stuff at the mast you have to tidy it all up anyway!
