Before reefing, insure that the lazyjacks are snugged up so that the boom does not drop during the process.
1. Slacken the halyard and allow one batten to drop to the boom. Belay the halyard.
2. Tighten the snotter to bring the yard snug to the mast.
3. Adjust the sheetlets, pulling excess length through the euphroe at the bitter end. Coil and tie off the excess under the euphroe.
4. Adjust sheets as necessary.
This is the basic procedure. Drop a batten and make necessary adjustments. Of course more than one batten can be dropped at a time.
This procedure works well for the first three reefs. Beyond that point, snugging up the snotter will tend to raise the aft end of the batten. You can either accept this situation, which is perfectly safe, or make the batten lie more nearly parallel to the boom by leaving the snotter less fully snug; but make sure the yard still overlaps the mast. Alternately, after three reefs, it is probably best to drop the sail altogether.
