Furling Main-I still have questions

[Broke sailor SV Marcell]

I took my New Hunter 27 out in the Potomac yesterday in about 1 KT of wind. Unfurling and furling the main seems to be quite the task. I actually ended up using the winch to furl in the last foot. Is this supposed to be this hard? I don't consider myself a weakling yet I was exhausted. When I got back to the Marina I met a fellow Hunter owner (no furler though) and we deployed the main at the dock to see if we could figure something out. We actually ended switching the runs for the outhaul and the furling line to see if that would reduce the friction. The outhaul rubs against the aluminum as it goes into the boom (Foward end) then as it comes out of the boom on the rear end and does a 180 it is also rubbing against the boom after it goes thru the block. Is this right?

 

[Jeff Bacon]

Try a couple of things...

First, the outhaul should have no effect on furling unless you have it tight or tied off. Let it run relatively free while furling.... just keep slight tension on it by hand. If the outhaul is binding, that may be part of you rproblem.Next, make sure the vang and the sheets are loose enough to allow the sail to furl. Too tight could create tension.if your furler furls counter clockwise, try being on Starboard tack when you furl so the sail is drawn into the mast directly onto the furling rod, and not creating friction by rubbing on the mast as it furls.You should not spend the effort that you indicate to furl the sail.Good luck.....Jeff