furling main block

[Syversens]

hey all, I have a minor issue with my block pulling the RF main out, it seems to be really hard to pul when under load and close to the mast, I started pulling it 3 feet out when rolling out the main... has anyone seen any ball bearing system for a RF main on the boom ? Seems its grinding metal to metal. My rig is a Charleston Spar and boat Beneteau 361 99

 

[Bill B281 Dragonfly]

Z Spar

Mine is a Z Spar system (now US Spars) and the outhaul car has Torlon bearings that run on the track.

 

[Mike - Papillon]

Halyard tension

Gaute, halyard tension will impact your ability to unfurl/furl the main, especially with it already furled. Unfurl the main and retension the halyard. You may have to play with how much is too much, not enough, etc to get it to work easier. I had removed my main and after replacing it found it difficult to manage. I retensioned by hand and it now works quite well. You don't want it too tight nor do you want to see and sag in it either. I've had her out in 15-20kt winds and not problems at all. Good luck.
Mike

 

[Syversens]

like the bearings but it might be tension

I like having bearings on the track as it does seem to grind a bit... when there is no power in the sail its easy to push and can do it with a finger but get some load and its hard. Now I have to luff up and adjust the outhaul then fall back, wish this was easier....

how much tension do you have on the halyard Mike, I have handtight and a few pulls on the winch, its good an tight and has nice trim for the sail.

 

[Mike - Papillon]

Dont over tighten

Gaute, don't over tighten it. I actually had mine too tight and had to let off a bit. I simply opened the halyard clutch which allowed the sail to sag a bit. I took one wrap around the winch and pulled until the luff looked firm but not stretched. It did not take a lot of effort to do so and now I can unfurl/furl easily, even when off the wind. BTW I'm also happy with the way the main trims out. I added telltales this year and wish I had done so years ago. I was over trimming and losing power.
Mike

 

[Syversens]

halyard and telltales

Hey Mike, thanks I'll do what you suggested and see if that makes a difference. I'm not really super concerned about this but its on my list now....

I actually bought tell tales to put on it when I pulled it down to fix the drum but never got around to putting them up. were they the sewing ones or glue ? could they potentially get snagged on anything in the mast ? I think this would be a great benefit for my racing this fall so perhaps I should do it before the rain

 

[Mike - Papillon]

Stick on

Gaute, I bought the stick on type of tell tales. Not the best since I've already lost one of them but still easy and cheap to do. Don't know why it took me so long to add them (hard headed) but I'm sure glad I did. Prior to that I was shaping it by eye. I'd make a change and see if it made a difference in speed. Now that I have tell tales I trim for their proper flow and it's made a nice difference in speed on all points of sail. I find that I point higher as well. What I now know is that I was over trimming the main thereby losing power. BTW that's the reason I had to retension the main halyard. I had dropped the main to add the tell tales and over tightened it when I raised it. Go for it it only takes a few minutes to add them.
Mike

 

[Bill C320 Papillon]

Mike

Where on the sail did you put the tell tales?

 

[Mike B]

Approximated the position

Bill, since I have a battenless roller main I approximated the positions. Basically I placed 3 sets, the first apx 1/4 of the distance down from the head, 1/4 down from there for the next and then 1/4 down for the last. They're on the leech in about 2 inches. While they may not be exact they sure have helped me trim the main a whole lot more effeciently. What I discovered is I had been over trimming the main. Now I know to let off a bit and watch her respond.
Mike