Hello, My mainsail is very difficult to withdraw and retract. It's not binding or anything, it's just difficult. Any suggestions, fixes, mods?
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Are you cranking on the winch?
Except in the lightest conditions, I have to use the winch on my Hunter 320. There's an awful lot of cloth bound up inside the mast, simply too much to pull out by hand.
Except in the lightest conditions, I have to use the winch on my Hunter 320. There's an awful lot of cloth bound up inside the mast, simply too much to pull out by hand.
Are you furling it right?
I've had my H410 with the standard Selden in-mast furling for five summers now and have no complaints. To furl or unfurl you want the sail slightly to port so it goes easily through the slot as it wraps/unwraps around the furler. It should not go in the slot and turn around the edge of the slot in the other direction before it wraps. You need to keep moderate tension on the outhaul line as you furl it up so that it wraps snugly. If you furl it with no tension it fills up the cavity inside the mast and will be tight pulling it out on the first turn or two. After the first turn or two is out it should loosen up, otherwise you need to look for other causes, such as halyard tension.
I've had my H410 with the standard Selden in-mast furling for five summers now and have no complaints. To furl or unfurl you want the sail slightly to port so it goes easily through the slot as it wraps/unwraps around the furler. It should not go in the slot and turn around the edge of the slot in the other direction before it wraps. You need to keep moderate tension on the outhaul line as you furl it up so that it wraps snugly. If you furl it with no tension it fills up the cavity inside the mast and will be tight pulling it out on the first turn or two. After the first turn or two is out it should loosen up, otherwise you need to look for other causes, such as halyard tension.
Proper Tension, Maybe my Outhaul Car
Thanks. I think I keep proper tension on the sail so it doesn't bind but I'm not sre about keeping the sail to port, I'll have to pay more attention. I thik part of my problem is the outhal boom car, it is very difficult to move by hand and may contribute to the issue. I do not use a winch to retract it into the mast, I'm too afraid of binding it and ripping the sail so I make it go by hand...
Thanks. I think I keep proper tension on the sail so it doesn't bind but I'm not sre about keeping the sail to port, I'll have to pay more attention. I thik part of my problem is the outhal boom car, it is very difficult to move by hand and may contribute to the issue. I do not use a winch to retract it into the mast, I'm too afraid of binding it and ripping the sail so I make it go by hand...
It was the luff bearing...
I have a H33.5 with a Hood roller furling and had a terrible time getting it rolled up.It went out but wouldnt come in, had to put it on the winch, which is bad ! Finally called a rigger who took it apart and found the " luff bearing" was broken. Got a new one put in and now have no problem. My suggestion, get a rigger to look at it. JMHO
I have a H33.5 with a Hood roller furling and had a terrible time getting it rolled up.It went out but wouldnt come in, had to put it on the winch, which is bad ! Finally called a rigger who took it apart and found the " luff bearing" was broken. Got a new one put in and now have no problem. My suggestion, get a rigger to look at it. JMHO
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