I have a 2003 Hunter with a Selden mast. The main is constantly jamming up in the mast when I pull the sail out. What is my problem??
Thank You,
Glenn Henderson
Thank You,
Glenn Henderson
Hunter/Selden furling main problems
- Thread starter glenn649
- Start date
Over the years I think the consensus on this site is that an old blown out mainsail is the culprit. There are certainly other possible problems like mast pre-bend (Don't have any), too much or too little halyard tension, the wrong angle of the boom to the mast, full length battens, and technique for starters. But if your main isn't flat enough it will not roll cleanly and is likely to jam.
Search the forums as there have been many threads on this subject.
Search the forums as there have been many threads on this subject.
I agree too - if it’s the original 23 year old main it’s probably stretched too much. The only other cause we’ve had of issues when unfurling is trying to unfurl when not luffing to windward. If the sail starts to fill while unfurling it could open unevenly and get wrapped on itself.
Can you furl it in by hand (without a winch) from the cockpit?
Have you done the swivel lubrication each year?
Are there any folds in the sail?
Is the friction in the mast or in the outhaul (try pulling the sail out directly, at the dock, with no wind)
Have you read the Selden manual?
How old is the sail?
Do you furl and unfurl in irons? (you want the sail aligned with the slot to avoid friction... ie: so it doesn't rub in the mast when you furl it in).
Do you maintain slight outhaul tension when you furl in?
Do you maintain slight furling line tension when you furl out?
Is the mast / standing rigging more than 15 years old? If so, it's due to come off, replace the shrouds and do a full inspection of the furling system.
It's a great system, but like anything else on the boat, requires TLC otherwise it starts to "misbehave".
Have you done the swivel lubrication each year?
Are there any folds in the sail?
Is the friction in the mast or in the outhaul (try pulling the sail out directly, at the dock, with no wind)
Have you read the Selden manual?
How old is the sail?
Do you furl and unfurl in irons? (you want the sail aligned with the slot to avoid friction... ie: so it doesn't rub in the mast when you furl it in).
Do you maintain slight outhaul tension when you furl in?
Do you maintain slight furling line tension when you furl out?
Is the mast / standing rigging more than 15 years old? If so, it's due to come off, replace the shrouds and do a full inspection of the furling system.
It's a great system, but like anything else on the boat, requires TLC otherwise it starts to "misbehave".
Last edited:
read this link, please
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/threads/in-mast-piece-of-crap-furling-system.175976/
Jim...
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/threads/in-mast-piece-of-crap-furling-system.175976/
Jim...