Mary, that’s a great idea about the rope loop and tapered mast reefing system.

I like simple.

For those of us without tapered masts (and maybe for those with), perhaps a small (but viable) enhancement would to add a ceramic sail slug to the sail's head plate, in lieu of the rope loop.

I think is was my old Sol Cat that had a plastic slug permanently attached to it's head plate. This enhanced the holding power of the boltrope....and it NEVER pulled out, when reefed….even when the sail was extremely old and the bolt rope very hammered.

For this same purpose, I added a ceramic sail slug to my present boat’s head plate, at its top and at the plate's bottom. The ceramic slugs are as long as I could find. I can't remember how long they actually are, but they're about 1 to 1 1/2 inches for each slug... and their ceramic surface, slides very well, in the sail track. The slugs are tough and almost indestructible... and works well in any location along the sail track, from the very top to the very bottom...

Just another thought to muse over...

Tom H.