Bloody hell...

[SFKjeld]

Comedy of errors that were nearly not that funny. Went out this afternoon determined to get the main sail up, after a very successful unfurling of the jib last week. This time tho, really too much wind for a relatively inexperienced sailor on a new boat. My friend and I got out into the Esturary, turned into the 5-7kt breeze. I was nervous enough about the breeze, so only raised the major to the first reef point. Again, the boat took off. Was a lot of fun as we were flying out of the Estuary much faster than I'd ever traversed it with my Potter. So since we were largely sailing into the wind, decided to raise the main further. Reached about the second reef point and the main would not go up further. Felt like slugs were bound since it became so difficult to move suddenly. Anyway, was probably a good thing, since the breeze was picking up fast. So we turned around and began sailing back down the Esutary, wind to our back. Decided to unfurl the jib again. And again, the boat really took off. Much faster than I've ever been in a sailboat. And did I mention, the breeze was still picking up, 14kts by then. So as we approached the marina, my friend asked if we would have difficulty lowering the main, since it seems stuck going up. Good question. But I figured we start with the furler. I tried to pull it in and that stuck at about 50%. Could never have docked the boat in that wind. I went out to the bow to try to free the furler, but saw nothing binding it. So I dropped the main (thank god it came down). Then went back out to wrestle with the jib. No luck. Thought we might have to just release the jib sheets entirely to depower the boat at the dock. Before that tho, tried to use the winch to pull the jib in. With a lot of effort, managed to get it to about 15-20%, enough to dock the boat comfortably.

A few questions. Should I need the winch to set the main fully? Should I need the winch to wind up the furler? Certainly unfurled without a hitch.

The pic is where the furler is now, maybe 15-20% out. Can't pull it in any further. Will wait for no wind day, then rewrap it I guess.

 

[centerline]

Comedy of errors that were nearly not that funny. Went out this afternoon determined to get the main sail up, after a very successful unfurling of the jib last week. This time tho, really too much wind for a relatively inexperienced sailor on a new boat. My friend and I got out into the Esturary, turned into the 5-7kt breeze. I was nervous enough about the breeze, so only raised the major to the first reef point. Again, the boat took off. Was a lot of fun as we were flying out of the Estuary much faster than I'd ever traversed it with my Potter. So since we were largely sailing into the wind, decided to raise the main further. Reached about the second reef point and the main would not go up further. Felt like slugs were bound since it became so difficult to move suddenly. Anyway, was probably a good thing, since the breeze was picking up fast. So we turned around and began sailing back down the Esutary, wind to our back. Decided to unfurl the jib again. And again, the boat really took off. Much faster than I've ever been in a sailboat. And did I mention, the breeze was still picking up, 14kts by then. So as we approached the marina, my friend asked if we would have difficulty lowering the main, since it seems stuck going up. Good question. But I figured we start with the furler. I tried to pull it in and that stuck at about 50%. Could never have docked the boat in that wind. I went out to the bow to try to free the furler, but saw nothing binding it. So I dropped the main (thank god it came down). Then went back out to wrestle with the jib. No luck. Thought we might have to just release the jib sheets entirely to depower the boat at the dock. Before that tho, tried to use the winch to pull the jib in. With a lot of effort, managed to get it to about 15-20%, enough to dock the boat comfortably.

A few questions. Should I need the winch to set the main fully? Should I need the winch to wind up the furler? Certainly unfurled without a hitch.

The pic is where the furler is now, maybe 15-20% out. Can't pull it in any further. Will wait for no wind day, then rewrap it I guess.

Answer to question 1... not normally on a smaller boat. If you have a bolt rope instead of sail slugs, then possibly...

Answer to question 2... you.should never have to use a winch to furl the sail on a smaller boat.... turn the boat into the wind so it luffs a bit, and pull it in... if it doesnt furl, there is a problem with the furling line/drum or the jibsheets are hanging up on something...

 

[DrJudyB]

Re: Bloody hell.....

Hey Kjeld,

You should never have to use a winch to furl a headsail. I hope you didn't break anything by forcing it.

Is that furler a CDI or some other brand of furler? Is not a CDI, you should check to see if the halyard wrapped around the extrusion at the top of the extrusion.

The other possibility that comes to mind is that the furling line is spooled unevenly on the drum and is jamming. However, if that were the case, it would have gotten easier to furl the headsail as you pulled the furling line off the drum.

You should not need a winch to raise the main on a Hunter 23. Try cleaning the mast track grove, and lubing both the mast track and the slides with SailKote. Send me a pic of how the sail slides are attached to the mainsai. You know my email!

Your sailmaker, (but I didn't make these sails!!)

Judy B

 

[JoeWhite]

Re: Bloody hell.....

Instead of pointing into the wind I go with the wind to roll-up the jib, it is much easier. I found luffing the jib while pointing into the wind causes the clear panels on the dodder to break as the jib sheets whips the plastic clear panels. Never use winch to roll-up the jib.
Also if you were unable to raise the main fully it may be that your boomvang was not eased or the main sheet was not eased. For this point into the wind.

 

[Kermit]

Look at the picture. You've run out of furling line! Seriously.

 

[SFKjeld]

Look at the picture. You've run out of furling line! Seriously.

There are a few loops left in the housing. The drum won't budge. And it furled and unfurled normally earlier. I think my mistake (one of many) was to try furling it when luffing. Something caught when I was reeling it in.

Harrowing afternoon.

 

[SFKjeld]

Re: Bloody hell.....

Hi Judy, The headsail was a mess when I bought this boat. I planned to come to you summer about a new sail anyway. And after this, I can see a few splits have appeared, probably from the violent luffing.

I am always learning, and nearly always the hard way. It's challenging enough to learn the right way to do everything, but handling equipment failures on the water is a whole new thing. I don't know what we would have done if we couldn't get the jib down as far as we did. Let alone, what we'd have done if the main would not come down. This was really frightening. I am def keeping the sails down with wind over 5kts. While the Potter was a great intro to sailing boat, the forces at play of even a boat 8.5' longer nearly make it a different sport.

 

[SFKjeld]

Instead of pointing into the wind I go with the wind to roll-up the jib, it is much easier. I found luffing the jib while pointing into the wind causes the clear panels on the dodder to break as the jib sheets whips the plastic clear panels. Never use winch to roll-up the jib.
Also if you were unable to raise the main fully it may be that your boomvang was not eased or the main sheet was not eased. For this point into the wind.

Point taken about furling while the jib is luffing. Thanks, that's probably what started the problem. Sorry, not following the other points tho. The sail hung up at about the 2nd reefing point. Still several feet from the top of mast. How could the vang or main sheet effect it? Or were you thinking that it was closer to the top?

 

[DrJudyB]

Re: Bloody hell.....

Hi Kjeld,

I will probably be out there at some point this week. I'll take a look at the boat, if you'd like.

Or maybe you can meet me there and we can look at it together. It'll have to be on short notice though.

Judy B

 

[Kermit]

There are a few loops left in the housing. The drum won't budge.

Dangit! I was hoping I had found a simple solution for you. I wish I could help (more).

 

[SFKjeld]

Hi Kjeld,

I will probably be out there at some point this week. I'll take a look at the boat, if you'd like.

Or maybe you can meet me there and we can look at it together. It'll have to be on short notice though.

Judy B

I will probably just order a new jib and by now, maybe a furler drum as well. I just love the Hyde sail I got for my Potter. Beautiful! Should I order it from http://www.hydesailsdirect.com ?

 

[Mulf]

Blanketing the jib

Lots of good tips above. I didn't see anyone mention blanketing the jib to furl it. Try turning down wind with the main out to one side so that the wind is partially blocked from hitting the jib. Keep some tension on the jib sheet as you try to furl it so it wraps smoothly. Then you should be able to furl the jib easily. Then turn on the motor, head into the wind, and drop the main.

Also, you should not run out (or almost run out) of furling line before the jib is furled. Try adding additional wraps of line onto the furling drum before using it again.

 

[Jackdaw]

One of the best bits of sailing advice I've even gotten, years ago....

'If it is really hard work to do, there is probably something wrong.'

 

[Kermit]

One of the best bits of sailing advice I've even gotten, years ago.... 'If it is really hard work to do, there is probably something wrong.'

That explains why sailing doesn't come easy to me.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I do not believe that is a CDI drum at the bottom but another mfg. AS ONE fellow pointed out, it could be halyard wrap. The question then I know this sounds stupid but trust me I am only trying to help, does jib sheet or the red line used for mast raise also double for raising the jib. I wonder if you have a hood system.

Then the next question if the above is yes, do you still have enough furling line on the drum?

If yes, then it is either halyard wrap or the eternal tubuckle body inside the lower drum is getting stuck possibly from the cotter pins not installed correctly.

For the time being, wrap up the rest of the sail around the furler. Also if it is halyard wrap, best look at the forestay at the top attached the stud to make sure no wires are broken or severly turned.

Please advise

 

[SFKjeld]

Lots of good tips above. I didn't see anyone mention blanketing the jib to furl it. Try turning down wind with the main out to one side so that the wind is partially blocked from hitting the jib. Keep some tension on the jib sheet as you try to furl it so it wraps smoothly. Then you should be able to furl the jib easily. Then turn on the motor, head into the wind, and drop the main.

Also, you should not run out (or almost run out) of furling line before the jib is furled. Try adding additional wraps of line onto the furling drum before using it again.

Thank you. I like the idea of motoring into the wind to drop the main. I suspect the reason I am almost out of line in the drum, is that I used the winch to furl it. It is probably wound up incredibly tight. I guess I should have just released the jib when entering the marina and let it flap. Would have been quite a sight....

 

[Fred]

"Will wait for no wind day, then rewrap it I guess. " ... You don't need a "no wind day". Just remove your jib sheets from the fairleads and wrap the sail (with jib sheets) around the forestay a few more times, re-install the jib sheets and you're done. This way the sail will be wrapped properly for the next time you have to furl it in tightly.

But... you still need to be sure that your furler is working properly.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

sfkjeld;

Please respond to my questions since you tried to winch the furler in. If you damaged the forestay, that mast could come down on you. Also, how much sailing experience do you have.

 

[Johnb]

Not to add to your problems but I know of two times when people have resorted to a winch to gorilla a furler and damaged the forestay by twisting it, you should inspect it top and bottom or your troubles may multiply.

If you have the space, heading downwind and blanketing the jib with the main makes it easier to furl the jib.

 

[The Garbone]

My suggestion is go out to the boat first thing in the morning. (6am) It is usually dead calm at that time and cooler to work on deck. I would unfurl the jib and remove it.

Be careful as if it is a CDI Flex you will need to attach a line to the halyard slug (on extrusion) because it will go up as you pull the sail down the extrusion. CDI flex furlers have an internal wire halyard that loops over a small built in sheeve at the top of the extrusion. Check the jib halyard if you have a drum furler for wear an wrapping etc.

Once the sail is off you can check easy for binding and such.

As for the main that should go up and down with little effort by hand. You may need to replace some old slugs or just put some lube on them as you hoist it up. All these issues can be (and should be) worked out in the slip. Deploying and furling your sails once away from the dock is another issue and depending on conditions methods vary.