Furling Jib - Lock Up?

[Sandpiper20958]

Dear Folks:I have a Schaeffer unfurling jib on a 30' Catalina. I purchased the boat last Spring. It's an older model, 1980. Ever since I purchased it the jib has been a challenge. Sometimes it unfurls without a problem, then out of the blue it "locks up" when I try to unfurl it. It may allow me to unfurl about 3 or 4 turns, then locks. Even it I pull, it does not give. Any words of wisdom?Best to All!Bob - Sanpiper

 

[John P12803]

Furling Problems

I have only used mine a couple times (CDI) and realize I have to maintain tension on the furling line when unfurling, so as to keep the drum from getting tangled.Also, look up to the mast to make certain you are not getting you bound up with misc. Hailyards, etc.

 

[Alchemist]

Two possibilities

There are two likely possibilities and one less like prospect for what you are describing.The most likely is "Halyard Wrap" where the halyard gets wrapped around the top of the fore-stay or the extrusion due to an insufficient lead angle between the halyard and the forestay. This is supposed to be in the area of 15 - 30 degrees (read your manual or go on line to Schaffer and get the tech info from them for the exact angle). This can be obtained by either adding a "Halyard restrainer" to the mast between the where the halyard exits the top of your mast and where the upper swivel is when the sail is fully hiosted. This is a PITA solution, but it works.Another solution is to add a penant between the tack of the sail and the tack fitting of the rollerfurler that is long enough to raise the head (and therefore the swivel) enough to getr the correct lead angle. This is much easier to do than to add a halyard restrainer.Another possibility is that your shackle (or the swivel) is catching on the other halyard (the spinnaker) that at the top of your mast. This can be resolved by tightening the spinnaker halyard and / or leading it over the upper shroud and attaching it behind the mast to your grabrails on the cabin top.The least likely is that your pre-feeder (if you have one) is getting caught in the control line at the drum (that was my problem).The CDI furlers use their own halyard system that is integral to the furler, so any discussion on solutions from that quarter would be meaningless to your problem.SteveAlchemist C-320