In mast furling issues on hunter e33

[GreggL]

I seem to be having an issue with my in mast furling setup. The problem seems to be two fold and has happened on a number of occasions. Here's what I'm experiencing:

Firstly, the continuous line that runs from the ratchet on the mast isn't spliced correctly and gets jammed in the lock handle in the cockpit, so pulling the main out as well as in is quite difficult. This splice area also seems to come loose around the ratchet on the mast which the creates a whole other problem. I make sure to keep tension on the lines, it slips and jams due to a bulge around the spliced part.

Secondly, the ratchet setup is in such a way that there is two settings; ratchet and free. Its my understanding that when set on free the main will roll either way freely. When set on ratchet it seems that the main will only go one way; out. This seems to be backwards to me.

These two problems which have happened in conjunction with each other are not only worrisome but quite dangerous. When the furling line from the cockpit gets jammed, I can't reef the main when necessary. If I pull too tightly, it slips from the ratchet and I loose all control of the main. Both free and ratchet setting on the roller furling allow the sail to come out, but only the free setting allows it to go in (as well as out, there is no way to lock it). This has almost caused catastrophic conditions on a number of occasions.

I believe that the roller is setup backwards. What I'd expect it do is when set to ratchet, is that the main will only go In and not out, this seems logical for safety's sake, but in reality it's set to the opposite. Today I Had to tie off a winch handle with the halyard to keep it from spinning out in 25 knot winds when the line slipped. This is because there is no way to keep the main in the mast when the furling line slips.

If this is setup correctly and there is a way to not have this happen, please let me know. On another note, the continuous line is another issue altogether that needs to be addressed from hunter.

 

[Nodak7]

I seem to be having an issue with my in mast furling setup. The problem seems to be two fold and has happened on a number of occasions. Here's what I'm experiencing:

Firstly, the continuous line that runs from the ratchet on the mast isn't spliced correctly and gets jammed in the lock handle in the cockpit, so pulling the main out as well as in is quite difficult. This splice area also seems to come loose around the ratchet on the mast which the creates a whole other problem. I make sure to keep tension on the lines, it slips and jams due to a bulge around the spliced part.

Secondly, the ratchet setup is in such a way that there is two settings; ratchet and free. Its my understanding that when set on free the main will roll either way freely. When set on ratchet it seems that the main will only go one way; out. This seems to be backwards to me.

These two problems which have happened in conjunction with each other are not only worrisome but quite dangerous. When the furling line from the cockpit gets jammed, I can't reef the main when necessary. If I pull too tightly, it slips from the ratchet and I loose all control of the main. Both free and ratchet setting on the roller furling allow the sail to come out, but only the free setting allows it to go in (as well as out, there is no way to lock it). This has almost caused catastrophic conditions on a number of occasions.

I believe that the roller is setup backwards. What I'd expect it do is when set to ratchet, is that the main will only go In and not out, this seems logical for safety's sake, but in reality it's set to the opposite. Today I Had to tie off a winch handle with the halyard to keep it from spinning out in 25 knot winds when the line slipped. This is because there is no way to keep the main in the mast when the furling line slips.

If this is setup correctly and there is a way to not have this happen, please let me know. On another note, the continuous line is another issue altogether that needs to be addressed from hunter.

Greg, I am no expert but have had experience with system for a number of years so let me put my two cents in......

First, I believe the ratchet is set up as it is supposed to be. When in the ratchet position. The sail is to be pulled out by the outhaul line and ratcheted in by the handle. If it were not set up that way you would have to get up on deck and "crank" it out as someone keeps tension on the outhaul line. Much more dangerous than the other way around. IMHO

Second the "endless" furling line. Are you sure that you have the right size and kind of line. If the splice is bad then you need to take it back to the dealer and have it redone or redo it yourself. It sounds like the splice was not done properly. I have put links in this Forum on how to do that with a video. Yours is the opposite of mine. Mine shrinks down at the splice which I think is not done properly and which I plan to change next season.

Third I find that if I do not keep lots of tension on the endless line on the furling winch/ratchet it does slip. Not certain what to suggest for that. I just make sure that I always have lots of tension on it.

 

[GreggL]

Greg, I am no expert but have had experience with system for a number of years so let me put my two cents in......

First, I believe the ratchet is set up as it is supposed to be. When in the ratchet position. The sail is to be pulled out by the outhaul line and ratcheted in by the handle. If it were not set up that way you would have to get up on deck and "crank" it out as someone keeps tension on the outhaul line. Much more dangerous than the other way around. IMHO

Second the "endless" furling line. Are you sure that you have the right size and kind of line. If the splice is bad then you need to take it back to the dealer and have it redone or redo it yourself. It sounds like the splice was not done properly. I have put links in this Forum on how to do that with a video. Yours is the opposite of mine. Mine shrinks down at the splice which I think is not done properly and which I plan to change next season.

Third I find that if I do not keep lots of tension on the endless line on the furling winch/ratchet it does slip. Not certain what to suggest for that. I just make sure that I always have lots of tension on it.

Thanks!

Speaking to the ratchet setup; when set in the ratchet position it will pull out but not go in, even with a winch handle at the mast. Only the free setting will allow it to go both ways.

 

[GreggL]

Thanks!

Speaking to the ratchet setup; when set in the ratchet position it will pull out but not go in, even with a winch handle at the mast. Only the free setting will allow it to go both ways.

Also, I agree that it's much more dangerous thinking about it the other way around, but I cant lock my sail in the mast no matter what, that seems crazy to me.

 

[Jon Bastien]

Gregg,

My 290 is set up so that the 'ratchet' position keeps the sail from rolling out. If memory serves, I rotate the drum on the mast clockwise to furl the sail, and I have to set the knob to 'free' to release and set the sail.

Is it possible you're winding your sail backwards around the spindle inside the mast?

 

[Mulf]

Furling in is counterclockwise on mine.

I would agree with Jon that maybe the mainsail is furled backwards. On my boat the mainsail is furled in counterclockwise (going in around the starboard side of the slot and furler) and unfurls clockwise. The ratchet when on will keep it from coming further out. That way, you can put the ratchet on and reef by furling some sail in and it cannot slide back out when you tighten up the outhaul. Sounds like the opposite is happening the way you are set up. I also generally put the ratchet on when closing up the boat so it cannot somehow unfurl in a storm.

 

[Jake N Eggs]

Same comment as Jon and Mulf posted in your request in e 33 issues post.

 

[Marc14857]

Ratchet Position

Ratchet position on my H44 prevents the mainsail from pulling out. In fact in strong winds etc. I make sure that it is in the ratchet position for that very reason. After the strong winds have died down it is much safer to go up to the mast and reposition to allow the sail to unfurl.

 

[GreggL]

Thanks for the replies guys. Yes it was backwards. I spoke to selden and rotated back into the Matthew correct way to solve the issue. The dealer labeled my lines wrong so I was turning it counter clockwise. Glad it's all squared away. Have to redo the splice on the line though, wasn't done correctly and gets jammed.

 

[sea_casper]

Have to redo the splice on the line though, wasn't done correctly and gets jammed.

Line should be long enough that splice never reaches either clutch.

 

[Nodak7]

Line should be long enough that splice never reaches either clutch.

Not true Casper! The endless line should only extend three feet or less beyond the winch. That would mean the endless line splice would go thru the clutches a number of times when furling in the main. If it never went thru a clutch it would have to be so long it would be cumbersome. You could do it but it would be a mess in the cockpit.

 

[sea_casper]

Not true Casper! The endless line should only extend three feet or less beyond the winch. That would mean the endless line splice would go thru the clutches a number of times when furling in the main. If it never went thru a clutch it would have to be so long it would be cumbersome. You could do it but it would be a mess in the cockpit.

Mine never goes thru the clutch, good thing because it wouldn't fit. The extra length is not that bad, and does not seem cumbersome.

 

[Nodak7]

Mine never goes thru the clutch, good thing because it wouldn't fit. The extra length is not that bad, and does not seem cumbersome.

Interesting Casper! I have had two of these systems and both were set up the same way. If the splice never goes thru the clutch why would you even have a splice?

 

[jsalley]

If its long enough to not pass through the clutch, there's not any need to even have a splice or an endless line. The splice is supposed to be small enough to easily go through the clutch and allow a shorter furling line.

 

[Scott B]

Mine never goes thru the clutch, good thing because it wouldn't fit. The extra length is not that bad, and does not seem cumbersome.

My 2005, goes through the clutch no problem and is short enough that it does anytime the main is furled.

 

[sea_casper]

Interesting Casper! I have had two of these systems and both were set up the same way. If the splice never goes thru the clutch why would you even have a splice?

I don't know why it is spliced, the line is the fattest that fits thru the clutches, it is easier to pull by hand, we never need to use the winch.

It's the way it was when we bought the boat in '09.

 

[Scott B]

I don't know why it is spliced, the line is the fattest that fits thru the clutches, it is easier to pull by hand, we never need to use the winch.

It's the way it was when we bought the boat in '09.

Selden show this line as an endless loop in their manuals. I suspect the PO replaced yours and did not get it spliced properly and used too long of a line. But, whatever works, works.

I never use the winch on the furling line. It should run freely and quite easily to furl the main. ..... ( except reefing under heavy winds )

 

[Gypsy Wind]

http://www.neropes.com/SPL_DoubleBraidConstant.aspx