Gimbled up Roller Furling

[AlanHicks]

I have a 1978 Catalina 25 with a SnapFurl Roller Furling.

When I first bought it ( March ) , it worked beautifully and rolled in and out very smooth.

Then one day the line got all gimbled up inside the "roller", so I had to unravel the entire line.

Now almost everytime, I can unroll the sail using the head sail lines, but the "return" line I pull to reel the sail back up ALWAYS gets fouled up, and I wind up having to unravel everything, or roll up by hand.

What could be causing this?

 

[Stu Jackson]

You need to keep "pressure" on the furling line as you pull on the jib sheets (those "head sail lines'" real name) to avoid the furling line from bunching up in the drum. Some use a ratchet block, we use sailing gloves to avoid burning our hand. Don't let it run free and it will start to work. Don't know how you got away with it before.

If, however, you already know this and are doing it, you have a different problem. Let us know, then. Have you looked inside the drum? Is everything "clear" there?