I am new to my 2006 343 Beneteau and want to drop the main, thinking about maintainance of the top swivel. I see no way to handle the halyard,there is a rope clutch on the mastand and a block at the mast base but no way to get through the deck organizers so how to lower the sail any advise will be greatly appreciated.
Furling Main Sail Question
- Thread starter erseddie
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Perhaps I'm missing what it is you are trying to do but if lowering the main: pull the main out of the mast, release the clutch all the way and pull down the sail at the luff.
Just remove one of the lines that do lead through the blocks, jam cleats, etc. When you're done just swap them back. Do yourself a favor and mark the main's halyard so you can properly retension it after raising it. Furling mains are very particular about halyard tension. Too much, or little, and the sail can bunch or twist when furling.
Mike
Mike
I'm with Randy. Been lowering and removing the main every fall for thirteen years using the same method. Correct halyard tension is applied by observing the main for wrinkles when raising the next spring.
If we've misunderstood, please repost and we'll try again
.Thanks for your replys Gents I guess the main thing I was thinking about is getting it back up so I will remove one of the lines perhaps the traveler and thread the halyard through the block, organizer and back to the winch. I will mark the halyard before removing as suggested, as I think I have too much tension on it now.
I would suggest looking at pages 30 & 31 of the Beneteau 343 owners manual. There is a schematic with a layout of all of the deck organizers, turning blocks, and clutches / jammers for each line. There is a dedicated clutch for the main halyard; therefore, you should not have to remove or switch liines to release the main halyard. If your furler is working well, I would mark the main halyard posiition as it runs through the clutch so you can reset to the same position when you rehoist the main. Note that there is quite a bit of tension on the main halyard when it is properly set. As was mentioned by others, look at the mainsail luff for vertical wrinkles (halyard too tight) or horizontal wrinkles (halyard too loose). There is only a very small range of 2-3 inches for the halyard to be too tight or too loose. I can't overemphasize that if the furler is working smoothly with the present halyard tension, mark the halyard as it travels through the clutch and reset it at the exact mark when you rehoist the main sail to save yourself a lot of trouble!
I would also recommend checking out the Neilpryde Sails website for the "Sail Trimming Guide for the Beneteau 343" and the US Spars website for operation and maintenance of the mainsail furler and tunning the rig.
I would also recommend checking out the Neilpryde Sails website for the "Sail Trimming Guide for the Beneteau 343" and the US Spars website for operation and maintenance of the mainsail furler and tunning the rig.
Furling main Questions
When all else fails R T I, I am embarrased to say I found the schematic thanks to Bigeasy and Yes my lines were not routed per the schmatic. In fact my outhaul and inhaul were on oposite sides of the cockpit and the inhaul was chafing on a block frame and yes the main halyard was as Bigeasy said but routed wrong. The PO had the boat moved and re-rigged things worlk much better now.
Thanks for all the generoud help from all the forum just a great resourse
When all else fails R T I, I am embarrased to say I found the schematic thanks to Bigeasy and Yes my lines were not routed per the schmatic. In fact my outhaul and inhaul were on oposite sides of the cockpit and the inhaul was chafing on a block frame and yes the main halyard was as Bigeasy said but routed wrong. The PO had the boat moved and re-rigged things worlk much better now.Thanks for all the generoud help from all the forum just a great resourse
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