Hunter 31 In Mast furling deployment

[Allan]

I am having issues deploying the mainsail with this in-mast furling system. The sail comes out fine for the first three-fourths, but I have to struggle to get it to come out all the way. Most times I can't get it to the end of the boom and top of the mast.

What I am currently doing is pulling on the outhaul as I unfurl the sail with the furling lines. Is there a preferred technique that I should be using?

 

[Steve Dion]

Most of the time it is the storage method that causes....

Allan:

Most of the time it is the storage method that causes the deployment issues.

You need to make sure that you have adequate tension on the sail when furling it up. If you don't it will not roll properly.

If you sail is old and stretched then that becomes another problem, but I am guessing that having someone apply a little more tension on the line during the storage process will make the difference.

 

[Tom]

Deploying

the sail from the in-mast furler normally requires just a quarter turn w/ the furling line to loosen the wrap then just unfurl w/ the outhaul. Of course, you are normally into the wind to do this. Sometimes, if there is not much wind I may have to use the furling line to get out the last wrap. You may be causing the sail in the mast to jam by unfuring with the furling line faster than you are pulling on the outhaul.

Tom
S/V MissJenna
H310

 

[Allan]

Deployment

Tom,

Sounds like you have a Hunter 31 as well. Can you tell me what make of furler it is?

My H 31 is a 2006, with not much time on it. I just closed on it last month, so the sails and furler are like new. Sounds like you're saying that once you've gotten the sail out just a bit, that you should be able to do the rest with the outhaul. Can you get your main sail out all the way by hand pulling the outhaul, or do you need to winch alot? I think you might be right about my technique bunching the sail by using the furling line too much...

Allan

 

[Bill Murray]

I use only the outhaul

On my H410 I do it all with the Outhaul NOT the furling lines. -- However, are you sure your furling lines are running freely - both of them?? check block positioning, line path etc. also, my line stoppers need to be "snapped" in the open position to be sure they are not still grabbing the line a little.

Fair Winds

 

[Tom]

No winches.

Allan
My furler is a Seldan. If you have to winch the outhaul or the furling line something is wrong. When furling don't let the boom jump around and keep a little tension on the outhaul for a fairly tight unwrinkled wrap. Remember - this is without using a winch. I find using the furling line to loosen the last wrap ( I'm talking about turning the furler about 1/4 -1/2 turn) then you pull on the outhaul and the sail should come out.

Tom