Hi, H170 Owners! I am pretty new to sailing and my H170, and I need some advice. I've been having problem furling in my jib using when the wind is high. The jib would furl to tightly around the forestay or would get stuck flapping violently. It's has not been a pleasant experience dealing with the furling jib, though I appreciate it when it occasionally unfurls and furls smoothly. One more thing, we always have to manually rotate the bobin (?) to unfurl the jib completely. Any advice would be appreciated. Luan Vienna, VA
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A couple of ideas
Try furling the jib with the boat just slightly higher than close hauled or on a beam reach. Either way you should not need too much tension on the sheet to keep the jib under control and the boat should not heeling. Easing the main a bit will help too. BTW, do you sail on the Potomac? I used to sail down by the Wilson Bridge quite a bit, and still do when I am in the DC area and have the time. Peter S/V Raven
Try furling the jib with the boat just slightly higher than close hauled or on a beam reach. Either way you should not need too much tension on the sheet to keep the jib under control and the boat should not heeling. Easing the main a bit will help too. BTW, do you sail on the Potomac? I used to sail down by the Wilson Bridge quite a bit, and still do when I am in the DC area and have the time. Peter S/V Raven
Drum too small
We have the same problem. As far as not unfurling completely, we just leave it and if a big gust of wind comes up it will usually finish the unfurling. When the wind is blowing and you try to furl the jib it furls very tightly and runs out of line. I think that the takeup drum is too small. It appears that the only solution is to install a larger takeup spool and put more line on it. Have not done that yet, but probably will in the near future as this can be a major problem if the wind picks up suddenly.
We have the same problem. As far as not unfurling completely, we just leave it and if a big gust of wind comes up it will usually finish the unfurling. When the wind is blowing and you try to furl the jib it furls very tightly and runs out of line. I think that the takeup drum is too small. It appears that the only solution is to install a larger takeup spool and put more line on it. Have not done that yet, but probably will in the near future as this can be a major problem if the wind picks up suddenly.
Change jib mount
YOu write that you have had trouble completely unfurling your jib and that you have to manually turn the bobbin. I have had this problem too; it should not be. Try furling the jib and unfurling it a few times while under sail. Sometimes (?) that works. If the jib still will not unfurl completely, your forestay may not be in the correct place. There are three holes on the foredeck where the forestay can be attached. Try moving it to another hole. Each hole gives the bobbin a slightly different angle. I have found that the rear-most hole works best. If the furling line gets jambed in the furling bobbin also, it might be caused by an improper angle, or a too thick line. Good luck.
YOu write that you have had trouble completely unfurling your jib and that you have to manually turn the bobbin. I have had this problem too; it should not be. Try furling the jib and unfurling it a few times while under sail. Sometimes (?) that works. If the jib still will not unfurl completely, your forestay may not be in the correct place. There are three holes on the foredeck where the forestay can be attached. Try moving it to another hole. Each hole gives the bobbin a slightly different angle. I have found that the rear-most hole works best. If the furling line gets jambed in the furling bobbin also, it might be caused by an improper angle, or a too thick line. Good luck.
Drum not too small
Your furling drum is not too small. If you run out of line before the jib furls completely, you need to redo you jib mounting. To do this (at a dock or asore, not under sail), pull your furling line so that there is no line left on the furling bobbin. The jib should be furled completely now with at least two wraps of the jib sheets around the furled jib. If not, pull the jib sheets from the jib sheet cleats and manually wrap the jib sheets twice around the furled jib, then thread the jib sheets through the jib sheet cleats, and apply stop knots. Now, when you pull your jib sheets, the jib should unfurl completely, and when you pull the furling line the jib should furl completely, with the jib sheets wrapping the jib two times.
Your furling drum is not too small. If you run out of line before the jib furls completely, you need to redo you jib mounting. To do this (at a dock or asore, not under sail), pull your furling line so that there is no line left on the furling bobbin. The jib should be furled completely now with at least two wraps of the jib sheets around the furled jib. If not, pull the jib sheets from the jib sheet cleats and manually wrap the jib sheets twice around the furled jib, then thread the jib sheets through the jib sheet cleats, and apply stop knots. Now, when you pull your jib sheets, the jib should unfurl completely, and when you pull the furling line the jib should furl completely, with the jib sheets wrapping the jib two times.
Tight furling
I believe you have a common problem to all furlers. When the wind is really blowing then the jib furls in tightly and you run out of rope and have some jib flapping. Try blanketing the jib with the main when furling in the sail so it is not to tight, then put on some tension for the last turn or two. You should also rewrap the line around the jib when it is furled at the tightness you desire. PLay around with it and you will get the results you want.
I believe you have a common problem to all furlers. When the wind is really blowing then the jib furls in tightly and you run out of rope and have some jib flapping. Try blanketing the jib with the main when furling in the sail so it is not to tight, then put on some tension for the last turn or two. You should also rewrap the line around the jib when it is furled at the tightness you desire. PLay around with it and you will get the results you want.
Roller Furling Line
I replaced Roller Furling Line ( 15 ft of 5.6 mm ) with 15 ft of 4 mm line. I don't jam up any more. Since I single Handed Sail, I put my stopper knot on the Jib Sheet about 2 1/2 to 3 ft from ends. I have better control and don't lose my jib sheet way up front. Leaves plenty of length to set either side. When I am ready to furl my Jib, I heave too then holding the jib sheet lightly, I pull in the furling line rolling the Jib fairly tight. To make this easier, I always remember to roll the jib sheet four wraps around the jib before I secure the forestay. This usually works but I can assure that no plan is supreme and when you least expect it, it will get you. I am not sure that roller furling is the best answer and I doubt seriously that anyone else will be so bold as to state emphatically that it is. I find it is easier to set but not always easier to furl. It is pretty good though and generally makes life a little easier. FAIR WINDS.
I replaced Roller Furling Line ( 15 ft of 5.6 mm ) with 15 ft of 4 mm line. I don't jam up any more. Since I single Handed Sail, I put my stopper knot on the Jib Sheet about 2 1/2 to 3 ft from ends. I have better control and don't lose my jib sheet way up front. Leaves plenty of length to set either side. When I am ready to furl my Jib, I heave too then holding the jib sheet lightly, I pull in the furling line rolling the Jib fairly tight. To make this easier, I always remember to roll the jib sheet four wraps around the jib before I secure the forestay. This usually works but I can assure that no plan is supreme and when you least expect it, it will get you. I am not sure that roller furling is the best answer and I doubt seriously that anyone else will be so bold as to state emphatically that it is. I find it is easier to set but not always easier to furl. It is pretty good though and generally makes life a little easier. FAIR WINDS.
Thanks, you all!
I really appreciate all the responses regarding my furling jib problems. I sail my H170 on the Potomac, around Pohick Bay. Wave if you see me on the water!
Luan Vienna,VA
I really appreciate all the responses regarding my furling jib problems. I sail my H170 on the Potomac, around Pohick Bay. Wave if you see me on the water!
Luan Vienna,VADo it downwind!
I have the same problem as everyone else. I make sure that there are 3 turns on the drum before I attach the jib/forestay. That helps but in really windy weather, I try to furl going down wind to avoid a really tight wrap. Good Luck!
I have the same problem as everyone else. I make sure that there are 3 turns on the drum before I attach the jib/forestay. That helps but in really windy weather, I try to furl going down wind to avoid a really tight wrap. Good Luck!
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