Furling JibTension

[Jesse21835]

When raising the mast on my 2001 Hunter 260 I have a hard time attaching the furling jib to the steamhead fitting on the bow. It's nearly impossible to attach it by hand even with two people on jib. I've been using the trailer winch with half inch rope thru block on trailer tongue and half hitches to pull jib forward. But it sure gets tight and I'm afraid I'll damage something. I hate to start adjusting shrouds and the jib turnbuckle is already extended out as far I think is safe. The dealer (now deceased) has tuned and trimmed the boat excellent and I don't want to mess it up. The boat has wheel steering and I can steer it with my little finger in 20+ winds. Any info appreciated.
Thanks
Jesse Mulanax

 

[Ray T]

It's almost impossible to attach the forstay without loosening the shrouds. There is information around that will address tuning your specific boat Everyone should have some knowledge of how to tune their rig even if they don't do it themselves. If you have a smaller boat you should do it yourself if for no other reason then self satisfaction. In sailboating I've always felt you can't have too much knowledge about how your boat is constructed and how to adjust the sails for greatest efficiency. You will get more pleasure from your boat if you can make it do what you want it too. The more knowledge you have the better sailor you will become and the more confident you will be.

 

[RichB]

Jesse,

I have the same issue with my h23. It's hard to pull the stay directly toward the stem fitting. even a small angular offset, as in the trailer winch, makes it harder rather than easier to attach.
First thought. If there is a second hole in the fitting, attach a line and snug it until the forestay is lined up.

Second (and probably better) would be to use a spinnaker halyard. Attach it to a bow cleat and winch away. This frees the stay and easily shortens the distance to the goal.

A nice tight forestay is a real plus to upwind performance.
On my 23, there is a cam that tightens the forestay after attaching it. It makes it possible to do it by hand. This is not to say I haven't cussed a few times during this process. If there was room I'd add a second cam to get a few inches extra play.

 

[John23883]

Attaching jib

I have a H26. I'm confused, are you using the gin pole and main sheet connected to the padeye in the anchor locker to raise the main? If not, there's no way you can connect the jib by hand. I give the main sheet one last pull after raising the mast and my wife put's the pin in. I never loosen the shrouds and the mains are at 600 lbs tension. I wouldn't use the trailer winch.

 

[BrianW]

Re: Attaching jib

Same as John on my H26. I never have had to loosen my shrouds. I use the mainsheet tackle connected to my gin pole and spin halyard. I've really "buggered" up my mast using the trailer winch to raise the mast. All it takes is one obstruction during the raising process and you've bent your mast "socket" hole for the jin pole. You can't really feel the resistance enough to know something is binding until it's too late.BrianW

 

[George H260]

Jesse:

Yes, it can be difficult, especially if it has been a while since you rigged the boat. The 316ss shrouds shrink a little after being derigged. Have you reviewed the rigging instructions for the H260 at this link?: http://h260.com/rigging/rigging.html

I assume you are using the ginpole/mainsheet/spin halyard to pin the forestay. I've used the trailer winch to get a little more purchase on the forestay. See the pictures. More often I pin the furler in the slip and there I use the vang attached to the bow "U" bolt.

A Loos Gage to measure shroud tension is helpful but not essential. Once you get the forestay pinned you can check the tension on the cap shrouds and if they are within tolerences you are OK.

There is also a launch checklist on the H260 website at: http://h260.com/checklist1/checklist1.html

If you really want to get into the mysteries of the B&R rig check these two references:

http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=87

http://h260.com/rigging/h26-MAST TENSIONING PROCEDURE.htm

 

[Jesse21835]

Thanks everybody. My conputer crashed and I have just now got it back up and running. I do use the ginpole/mainsheet/winch method and used to not have as much trouble. However lately I have to be careful as the gin pole tends to bend before I can get the pin in stem fitting. I really just use the trailer to get that last inch! I did not use the boat much this year and I beleive George's idea re shrouds shrinking a little may contribute. A copy of the lauching checklist (very nice) is posted in the cabin. I don't have a loose gage but may borrow one.

Thanks everyone for the good info.

 

[George H260]

Yes, the gin pole is a little flimsy

I fixed the bent pole problem by inserting a length of black plumbers pipe inside.

Now it's very stiff (but heavy).

Go to: http://h260.com/ginpole/ginpole.html

 

[Brian M H23]

I vote with the mainsheet method. I raise my mast single-handed, with the mainsheet connected to the jib halyard, with NO gin pole. I simply have a crutch that gets the mast up to about 20 degrees. Initially I don't have a lot of mechanical advantage, but i can shoulder the mast up while i tug on the mainsheet. Once it starts to move, it's easy! I do, however use "baby stays" connected about 7 feet up the mast, to padeyes on the cabin roof.

 

[Brian M H23]

And note that, with the mainsheet connected to the jib halyard, I can tighten the shrouds with the mainsheet and connect the forestay with no trouble at all.