Charleston Spar Furler

[gczenis]

I am having trouble with my Charleston Spar in mast furling system. When using the outhaul line it is very difficult to actually get the sail to unfurl, however if I grab the car on the boom and give it a yank the unfurls effortlessly. To me it looks like the attack angle of the outhaul line causes first downward tension pulling the clew toward the boom and the car against the stop. I am thinking about running a separate line to first pull the car to the end of the boom track then use the provided outhaul line to tension the sail. As a quick test I tied the car to the boom end then used the outhaul line to unfurl the sail, it worked beautifully. Am I missing something or over complicating this?

 

[Albanach]

You may be on the right ‘track’. Have had similar thoughts, but have not been able to come up with an answer. The outhaul angle/direction of force is not ideal.
Also, there is too much friction at the top of the boom end. In fact the whole system is loaded with friction. If you turn the furling screw directly by hand, it’s easy.
Since using a slightly lighter furling line, alleviating some major friction at the screw guides, I have been able to largely use the outhaul without help of a winch. When the sail is half out, I seem to hit a hard spot lately, as if the furled sail is not quite round at that point. Once I pass that point, it’s easy again.
Would be interested in your solution to make it even easier. Why would major furl makers use similar principles?
For furling, I seem to be using the winch more these days, but that may also be influenced by age and a few cracked fingers (caught in the mooring line).

 

[gczenis]

Mine does furl very easily, will try running a 2nd outhaul line this weekend.