halyard wrap

[Mike8193]

I was taking my sails off today. Ran into a problem taking the genoa down. It was a little windy(boat facing north and wind out of the south at the slip). It unfurled fine and then would not unfurl the last few feet. Fortunately I was able to refurl it and secure the sail. I looked up and it appears that the halyard is wrapped once around the furler and the sail is down about 4 to 6 inches from the usual position in the furling track. I am thinking I may have eased the the tension on the halyard some and created some slack while unfurling. Here is my question, I am thinking I can by hand while looking up rotate the furler and furled sail to release the wrap and then pull the halyard back up? Does that sound workable? Any suggestions welcome.

 

[sail sfbay]

Worth a try. Besides what the forum will offer, do an internet search on "preventing jib halyard wrap" and you will find plenty of good advise like this one: Halyard Wrap, Diagnosis, Prevention and Repair. - The Yacht Rigger.

 

[jssailem]

You may need 3 hands to do all of the task. Things I would keep an eye on

• Make sure my backstay (if you have one) is snug. Slack Backstay equals relaxed forestay.
• Snug up halyard and try to recover those 4-6 inches. That is unless the sail is already fully raised. Then the 4-6 inches is just normal
• With the sail wrapped on the furler extrusion and the sheets removed, I would try to rotate the furler extrusion and unwrap the halyard, taking up halyard slack as it unwinds. This will allow the sail to just rotate with the furler.
• Once halyard is free I would unwrap the jib/genoa from the furler and drop the sail by releasing the halyard and pulling the sail down.

A Halyard wrap happens. Not to get worked up about. Also not to be just left there. Too easy to forget it and then get in real trouble.

 

[higgs]

Once you get jib down you may want to install a halyard restrainer.

 

[Ward H]

Been there, done that. First time dropping my Genoa on my then first boat with a furler.
Sandy was approaching so quite a bit of wind, halyard slipped, furling line got away and the result was halyard wrap.
I did exactly what you said but with the Genoa out and flapping hard, I needed someone on the halyard and acting as a spotter as I couldn’t roll the furler by hand and see my progress at the same time.
With your sail being furled, it should be easy. Yes, take the sheets off first.

 

[sailme88]

....and in the future take the boat out onto the water and into the wind. The Genoa will come down with much less effort...

 

[Roadking Larry]

Just make sure that whatever you do don't take it to the winch. A few years ago a friend of mine had a problem with his furler and took the furling line to the winch.
He got lucky.