furling main performance question

[la Bise]

I recently purchased a 2010 Beneteau 31, which normally comes with a conventional mainsail as standard equipment. However, because I am just entering my 60's, I thought that it would be easier for me to have an in-mast furling mainsail. I did not know two things:

(i) the bottom 18 inches of the furling mainsails on these models tend to come loose from the slot on the mast so that it will not feed back into the mast when pulling the inhaul at the end of the sail - the fix is either climb to the mast and shove the sail back into the slot or use a stopper knot on the inhaul so that the mainsail cannot be fully extended (which affects performance). The dealer has promised to replace the sail with one that will not come out of the mast slot, but in the meantime my sailing is somewhat compromised.

bob on la bise

(ii) the foot of the mainsail is not attached to the boom. I never realized that was the case. Are all furling mains not attached to the boom? It seems to me I am losing a lot of air under the mainsail that would have been captured if the sail attached to the boom.

Any thoughts on either item would be appreciated.

 

[Rick I]

Usually with a furling main the last foot does not furl into the mast. That's why there's usually a uv cover on this part of the sail.

As far as being loose footed you lose no performance from this, in fact many racers have loose footed sails.

 

[DougM]

The norm used to be that most mainsails were attached to the boom along the entire length. That is now no longer necessarily true. even the "classic" mainsails are now loose footed. The older mains literally had a shelf sewn into them so that they would be arttached along their entire length.I was one of those who also was used to seeing the foot fully attached to the boom. I don't think performance is that adversely affected on a cruising boat. I would be more inclined to believe that more performance is lost due to the cut of the furling main and lack of battens as compared to a "classic" main.

 

[Caboteur]

Furling main

I also have a Beneteau 31 but with the classic main; it is also loose-footed. My loss of performance comes mainly from the 4'3" shoal keel... but these are cruising boats, no real racers. Therefore performance should be relative and I find mine (my boat's) to be "adequate".
Also in my early 60's I hesitated between the two sailplans... still not certain I made the "best" decision. Raising and dousing the main is more work and a bit difficult if the bimini is raised.
Enjoy the one you have & I will try to do the same!
Pierre, Le Caboteur

 

[Gunni]

The larger Beneteaus with Pryde classic rig sails are not loose footed. The foot contains a shelf that inflates a much fatter, carefully controlled camber in the lower sail when the outhaul is eased. Not sure you can do that with furling main. And yes, the full length battens are essential to keeping the sail in shape for all wind conditions. Side by side with boats of similar design and sailplan you will find the classic sail points higher and sails faster in low wind speeds. Yet, I enjoy the ease of control and infinite reefing possibilities of the furling main.

 

[s/v Ale kai]

I have in-mast furling on my Beneteau 393. The loose foot should not be a problem. Properly trimmed, it will be very close to the boom when you're in heavy air and have some belly for lighter wind.

I should share the caution that the US Spars furler tends to jam if the furl-in line is more that 24 months old. It flattens and jumps the nylon screw creating a jam between the screw and backing plate. It can get nasty if you're halfway out in 35 kts of wind and can't furl in or get the whole sail out. The only solution at that point is to try to lash the main to the mast, motor to slip or anchorage and remove the entire furling mechanism from the mast. That's the only way I've found to lower the main and install a new furl-in line. That can get tricky too in high winds. It's best to wait until the wind dies down a bit. I think the only furling system I would even consider in the future would be the kind that has a direct-drive tooth-and-gear furler mounted on the mast.

 

[Deadhead]

Loose Footed Main

I have a loose footed main on my B46 and previously had a loose footed mainsail on my 343. Both were furling mains with vertical battens. Once the sail is set you can ease the outhaul and shape the main sail to optimize performance. Tightening it again as the wind picks up flattens the sail to spill some air. Adjusting the boom vang also helps shape the main as necessary.

I have had minor problems with furling the main sail on each of the boats; however, the problems were more related to halyard tension and the number of wraps on the spool on which the furling line winds. It took a little experimentation to figure out, but I am very pleased with the furling system's performance in the end.

Regards.
DH

 

[Mike B]

It's a know problem and Pryde Sails has a retrofit for it. One thing that impacts it is halyard tension. If it's too loose the bottom 12-18" will fold to the side and prevent the sail from furling. Too tight and it binds the furler. Try tensioning the main halyard to see if that fixes it. It also helps to be dead on the wind as well as release the mainsheet and vang before furling, although not so much the main flogs violently. Some trial and error may be in order before you get it where you want it. Good luck.

 

[DancingDays]

It's a know problem and Pryde Sails has a retrofit for it. One thing that impacts it is halyard tension. If it's too loose the bottom 12-18" will fold to the side and prevent the sail from furling. Too tight and it binds the furler. Try tensioning the main halyard to see if that fixes it. It also helps to be dead on the wind as well as release the mainsheet and vang before furling, although not so much the main flogs violently. Some trial and error may be in order before you get it where you want it. Good luck.

I have the exact same problem on a Beneteau 31 I purchased last spring. Do you have any more information on the retrofit?

Both my dealer and Pryde sails suggested halyard tension as the potential problem, but adjusting the tension does not help. I still get the bottom 12-18 inches folding over even with the halyard way over tensioned. My dealer came out with me to try it, and confirmed that halyard tension would not help.

It almost looks like the bolt rope is a little too short. With the sail fully raised, there are several inches of track left after I run out of bolt rope. I was considering seeing if I could get the bolt rope lengthened when I have the sail off for maintenance this winter--but if Neil Pryde has a retrofit, that would be even better.

 

[la Bise]

Since posting the original message on this thread in early July, I can report that my dealer took the sail off and sent it to Neil Pryde so it could be retrofitted. First, the rope bolt was fixed so the bottom 18" did not come out of the mast when the sail was fully extended. Second, they made a change to a vertical batten that I was told was causing a problem. The sail was back within the week. The problem has not re-occurred and we have a had many good sails since it was fixed. I was very pleased with Neil Pryde's quick response.

 

[bob_pattison]

Since posting the original message on this thread in early July, I can report that my dealer took the sail off and sent it to Neil Pryde so it could be retrofitted. First, the rope bolt was fixed so the bottom 18" did not come out of the mast when the sail was fully extended. Second, they made a change to a vertical batten that I was told was causing a problem. The sail was back within the week. The problem has not re-occurred and we have a had many good sails since it was fixed. I was very pleased with Neil Pryde's quick response.

Bob,
I was going to have you read my post today regarding our 'webbing tack strap' system which deals with exactly what you described....but then read down and found you/and your dealer contacted us and we did the fix and some...
Happy to hear the problem is fixed and that we did a good job in making you pleased!

Bob Pattison