There has been some speculation from a few individuals (who shall remain nameless) that the reason adults don't reef  more often is that they, too, suffer from the Mitey Mite syndrome. Assuming that this is the case, we now offer the  following for closet non-reefers of all ages: On boats without topping lifts (most Beetles fall into this category), reefing is done with  the sail down. Before starting to tie in a reef, make sure the sail is bent onto the spars  ready for normal, un-reefed sailing (everything attached, outhauls tight). Then follow  these three steps: Be sure to do the three steps  in order . Make sure the leech reefing grommet is pulled out tight. (If you wind up with strain wrinkles coming from the reef pints  when the sail is up, the leech grommet wasn't hauled out tight enough.) There isn't one right way to do this, but here is  one method that does the job well and still unties easily afterwards. Thread one end of piece of 6-8 foot line though the leech reefing grommet so that half the line is sticking out on each side  of the sail. When furling the bottom of the sail pull all of the excess sailcloth to one side of the boom and roll it up firmly. Tie the  middle reef points first and work out in both directions tying the next adjacent point. (This isn't vital, but it does  produce a smoother job.) 82  Thread the ends of the line through the hole in the end of the boom (or the outhaul fitting or clew grommet)  in opposite directions.  Tighten out the leech reefing grommet by pulling on both ends of the line at the same time.  Pass the ends of the line back through the leech grommet in opposite directions and then down around the  boom. Secure with a reef knot. 1. Inhaul  - Tie the reefing grommet in the luff down to the tack grommet or gooseneck fitting with a short piece of  line using a reef knot. 2. Outhaul  - Tie the reefing grommet in the leech to the boom in two directions: first out to the end of the boom. Be  sure to pull it out tightly. Second, down to the boom directly under the reefing grommet. 3. Reef Points  - Roll up the fold of sail between the boom and the reef points and tie the reefing lines by passing  them between the foot of the sail and the boom (do NOT pass the reef lines around the boom). Be sure to use reef  knots. EverythingYou AlwaysWantedto Know AboutReefing(But WereAfraidto  Ask)  Keysto Success 