Furler Problem

[Tom Bricking]

My 1989 Hunter 335 has a furler which has the spool just barely above the deck. It is impossible (as I see it) to have the line come into it at a 90° angle.
Consequently, the line wraps over and under itself when the sail is deployed. When bringing the sail in the line tangles and locks-up turning the sail into a flag.
Has anyone solved this problem or have a suggestion?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Rick D]

Not sure what your configuration is, but in my 40.5, the furler line is fairled to the drum by going through a block on the side of the anchor locker which allows it to come in at 90 degrees. Check to see if there are some screw holes. It may have come off or didn't get re-installed upon some commissioning.

 

[Ken13559]

Tom, you could raise the furler couple of inches by using a longer tang/extension at bottom of the furler.

 

[Warren Milberg]

My Furlex furler has 3 stanchion mounted fairleads (I added a ratchet block to the toe rail to bring the furling line to a deck cleat aft). The first fairlead closest to the drum is mounted to the aft stanchion of the bow pulpit. It, too, didn't make a 90-deg angle exiting the drum and so I got some line jams. I shackled a simple block to the toe rail half the distance between the pulpit stanchion and the drum and this improved the angle somewhat and reduced line overwraps. Could you do something similar on your boat?

It also helps to keep a steady pressure on the furling line when you are hauling out the headsail with the lee sheet.