For many years an ever-increasing number of cruising GP14 sailors have used the reefing systems  –  and headsail reefing in particular  –  developed by Rob Helyar,  and marketed as Flexible Reefing Spars.   I suspect that much of that popularity has been on my personal recommendation.

Sadly,  Rob has now reached the point where the arthritis in his thumbs makes the physical manufacture of the reefing spars increasingly painful,  and he has been forced to retire.

However Richard Hartley,  of Hartley Boats,  who purchased the majority of the spars which Rob made to put on the cruising Wayfarers,  was very keen to take on the manufacture of all the reefing spars when he heard that Rob was struggling.

For those who also sail larger boats,  Rob has developed the system such that it works equally well on cruising boats up to about 29 feet;   this increase in overall size required upgrading the luff wire from 3mm to 4mm,  which in its self does not cause a problem but of course it involves larger forces both to make the cringles and for the crimping in general.

Richard is very keen to carry on making the reefing system for all the different classes which Rob had been supplying,  presumably including the GP14.    richard@hartleyboats.com

Hope this is helpful to some of you,

Oliver