Emergency-Need Help Fast-Mast Lowering with Furler

[BrianW]

Hi All: I'm in Pensacola, FL preparing for Hurricane Dennis. A month a go I installed a roller furler. Previously, to lower my mast, I attached the shackeled end of the jib halyard to the upper eye of the mast raising pole and cleated the other end to the lower mast. Question: With the roller furler, how is the process different? Thanks for yall's help. Brian

 

[Mark]

Use the spinaker halyard

to lower the mast. So get the halyard and attach it to the gin pole and use the main sheet (attached to the bow) to lower the mast.. If you do not have a gin pole you can lower the mast without it but make sure that you have one or two people standing about where the sliding hatch is to support the mast thru the axis from about 5-6 foot up to lower the mast. good luck.I have lowered the mast on my own on my 260 without the gin pole but you have to be very very carefull!

 

[alan]

Where is the jib halyard now?

Certain furlers (CDI) leave it free to use as per the book, some of them use it but you still should be able to free it to use. If not, do as Mark suggests BUT be very carefull, use the baby side stays and a couple of friends. alan

 

[Bill Bell]

Remove the Jib

First, Take off the jib and store it. You now should have the jib halyard to use in lowering the mast.Bill

 

[BrianW]

Many Thanks!!

Hi All: I got the job done and am now ready to get the hell out of Dodge if needed thanks to yall's help. Mark, I used your tip of using the spinaker halyard and it worked like a charm. Thanks Mate! Brian

 

[Mark]

You are very welcome Brian

After all that's what this forum is all about.