I am having some difficulties with the in mast furling system on my B331. Basically it is extremely difficult in to unfurl. When the outhaul is tensioned, the outhaul basically pulls at the car straight down (rather than out). Almost feels like somehow the outhaul is connected to the car incorrectly. I keep the vang and mainsheet loose so thats not the problem. I have had this boat for about 3 years now. When new, it worked fine. It has gotten progressively worse each year and this year it is just unbearable. What am i doing wrong here?
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M
Merrill
Furling Line
On both my 411 and a friends 411 the primary reason for main furling difficulties comes from the furling line swelling with age(both our boats were salt water boats prior to their arrival in Lake Champlain). The drum is built with an aluminum plate around the forward portion of the plastic drum. As the line ages and swells, it binds between the drum and the alu plate. The line replacement is not difficult but it does neccessiate the removal of the furling drum in the mast. While you have the drum out, take the opportunity to WD40 the bearings. My experience was that the line change permitted us unfurl the sail by hand (prior to the change, even using a winch would not work) and when furling we can also furl the entire sail by hand in anything up to moderately strong winds. Fair winds Merrill S/V Ambition B411 #155
On both my 411 and a friends 411 the primary reason for main furling difficulties comes from the furling line swelling with age(both our boats were salt water boats prior to their arrival in Lake Champlain). The drum is built with an aluminum plate around the forward portion of the plastic drum. As the line ages and swells, it binds between the drum and the alu plate. The line replacement is not difficult but it does neccessiate the removal of the furling drum in the mast. While you have the drum out, take the opportunity to WD40 the bearings. My experience was that the line change permitted us unfurl the sail by hand (prior to the change, even using a winch would not work) and when furling we can also furl the entire sail by hand in anything up to moderately strong winds. Fair winds Merrill S/V Ambition B411 #155
main furl
I almost always go up onto the coach roof and pull the sail out by the foot while someone takes up the outhaul slack. It just seems to work easier. When I furl it, I put the wind on the starboard side, about forty degrees off the bow, and, keeping tension on the outhaul, winch the sail in to get it tightly wound. Any more, tho, I almost always daysail with just the genoa. I only use the main if it's a long sail, like to the island. A rigger once told me to squirt some liquied dishwashing detergent into the bearings. Seemed to help.
I almost always go up onto the coach roof and pull the sail out by the foot while someone takes up the outhaul slack. It just seems to work easier. When I furl it, I put the wind on the starboard side, about forty degrees off the bow, and, keeping tension on the outhaul, winch the sail in to get it tightly wound. Any more, tho, I almost always daysail with just the genoa. I only use the main if it's a long sail, like to the island. A rigger once told me to squirt some liquied dishwashing detergent into the bearings. Seemed to help.
R
Randy Smith
Inmast Furler Challenges
I have the same challenge with my Beneteau 351, thought it was a result of Hurricane Katrina. I found the following discussion on Z Spar's site and it has helped me know that I have paid a professional to remove the sail. Basically my topping lift was too tight and my boom was above horizonal. http://www.zsparsuk.com/mastfurlhelp.htm Good luck!
I have the same challenge with my Beneteau 351, thought it was a result of Hurricane Katrina. I found the following discussion on Z Spar's site and it has helped me know that I have paid a professional to remove the sail. Basically my topping lift was too tight and my boom was above horizonal. http://www.zsparsuk.com/mastfurlhelp.htm Good luck!
I agree with Merrill; replace the furling line
You are not doing anything wrong. I had exactly the same problem on Dragonfly a 2003 B331...worked great at first, harder each year. Had to use Larry's approach of going to the cabin top to pull the sail out. Almost impossible last fall and had to use a winch past half way out. I replaced the furling inhaul line this spring with 50 feet of new 5/16 line. Works great! It was so free and easy that I almost hurt myself the first time as I pulled too hard! I had problems a few years ago with a drum bearing freezing and removed the drum. US Spar replaced it at no charge. That was a real job! Not nearly as easy as outlined in the manual. This spring, I replaced the line without removing the drum. The sail was off for the winter. Of course the line was rolled almost to the top of the drum. I tied a 1/8 inch nylon line to the sail shackle and pulled the inhaul line. This wrapped the 1/8 line around the furling foil. Next, I loosened the top two bolts and removed the bottom two completely. I was able to pull the bottom out far enough to pull the line out the bottom of the drum with a needle nose pliers. I cut off the end knot, removed the old line, inserted the new, tied a figure 8 stopper knot in the end, pulled the line to seat the knot back in the drum, replaced the drum, replaced and tightened the bolts, pulled on the 1/8 inch line wrapping the new line back into the drum. The entire process took less than 10 minutes. A word of caution. On Dragonfly, the bolts that hold the drum are hex head bolts that go through the mast and screw into a little rectangular steel block glued to the inside of the mast. When I removed the drum the first time a few years ago, the steel block came loose and fell to the top of the drum. I had to use a wire hook and long thin screw driver to capture the block through the inspection panel and hold it in place while I started the bolts. It was a real pain!! That's why I only loosen the top bolts. Good luck. Mark
You are not doing anything wrong. I had exactly the same problem on Dragonfly a 2003 B331...worked great at first, harder each year. Had to use Larry's approach of going to the cabin top to pull the sail out. Almost impossible last fall and had to use a winch past half way out. I replaced the furling inhaul line this spring with 50 feet of new 5/16 line. Works great! It was so free and easy that I almost hurt myself the first time as I pulled too hard! I had problems a few years ago with a drum bearing freezing and removed the drum. US Spar replaced it at no charge. That was a real job! Not nearly as easy as outlined in the manual. This spring, I replaced the line without removing the drum. The sail was off for the winter. Of course the line was rolled almost to the top of the drum. I tied a 1/8 inch nylon line to the sail shackle and pulled the inhaul line. This wrapped the 1/8 line around the furling foil. Next, I loosened the top two bolts and removed the bottom two completely. I was able to pull the bottom out far enough to pull the line out the bottom of the drum with a needle nose pliers. I cut off the end knot, removed the old line, inserted the new, tied a figure 8 stopper knot in the end, pulled the line to seat the knot back in the drum, replaced the drum, replaced and tightened the bolts, pulled on the 1/8 inch line wrapping the new line back into the drum. The entire process took less than 10 minutes. A word of caution. On Dragonfly, the bolts that hold the drum are hex head bolts that go through the mast and screw into a little rectangular steel block glued to the inside of the mast. When I removed the drum the first time a few years ago, the steel block came loose and fell to the top of the drum. I had to use a wire hook and long thin screw driver to capture the block through the inspection panel and hold it in place while I started the bolts. It was a real pain!! That's why I only loosen the top bolts. Good luck. Mark
I agree with Merrill; replace the furling line
You are not doing anything wrong. I had exactly the same problem on Dragonfly a 2003 B331...worked great at first, harder each year. Had to use Larry's approach of going to the cabin top to pull the sail out. Almost impossible last fall and had to use a winch past half way out. I replaced the furling inhaul line this spring with 50 feet of new 5/16 line. Works great! It was so free and easy that I almost hurt myself the first time as I pulled too hard! I had problems a few years ago with a drum bearing freezing and removed the drum. US Spar replaced it at no charge. That was a real job! Not nearly as easy as outlined in the manual. This spring, I replaced the line without removing the drum. The sail was off for the winter. Of course the line was rolled almost to the top of the drum. I tied a 1/8 inch nylon line to the sail shackle and pulled the inhaul line. This wrapped the 1/8 line around the furling foil. Next, I loosened the top two bolts and removed the bottom two completely. I was able to pull the bottom out far enough to pull the line out the bottom of the drum with a needle nose pliers. I cut off the end knot, removed the old line, inserted the new, tied a figure 8 stopper knot in the end, pulled the line to seat the knot back in the drum, replaced the drum, replaced and tightened the bolts, pulled on the 1/8 inch line wrapping the new line back into the drum. The entire process took less than 10 minutes. A word of caution. On Dragonfly, the bolts that hold the drum are hex head bolts that go through the mast and screw into a little rectangular steel block glued to the inside of the mast. When I removed the drum the first time a few years ago, the steel block came loose and fell to the top of the drum. I had to use a wire hook and long thin screw driver to capture the block through the inspection panel and hold it in place while I started the bolts. It was a real pain!! That's why I only loosen the top bolts. Good luck. Mark
You are not doing anything wrong. I had exactly the same problem on Dragonfly a 2003 B331...worked great at first, harder each year. Had to use Larry's approach of going to the cabin top to pull the sail out. Almost impossible last fall and had to use a winch past half way out. I replaced the furling inhaul line this spring with 50 feet of new 5/16 line. Works great! It was so free and easy that I almost hurt myself the first time as I pulled too hard! I had problems a few years ago with a drum bearing freezing and removed the drum. US Spar replaced it at no charge. That was a real job! Not nearly as easy as outlined in the manual. This spring, I replaced the line without removing the drum. The sail was off for the winter. Of course the line was rolled almost to the top of the drum. I tied a 1/8 inch nylon line to the sail shackle and pulled the inhaul line. This wrapped the 1/8 line around the furling foil. Next, I loosened the top two bolts and removed the bottom two completely. I was able to pull the bottom out far enough to pull the line out the bottom of the drum with a needle nose pliers. I cut off the end knot, removed the old line, inserted the new, tied a figure 8 stopper knot in the end, pulled the line to seat the knot back in the drum, replaced the drum, replaced and tightened the bolts, pulled on the 1/8 inch line wrapping the new line back into the drum. The entire process took less than 10 minutes. A word of caution. On Dragonfly, the bolts that hold the drum are hex head bolts that go through the mast and screw into a little rectangular steel block glued to the inside of the mast. When I removed the drum the first time a few years ago, the steel block came loose and fell to the top of the drum. I had to use a wire hook and long thin screw driver to capture the block through the inspection panel and hold it in place while I started the bolts. It was a real pain!! That's why I only loosen the top bolts. Good luck. Mark
C
cayuga
i will give it a try
ok I am going to try the new furling line approach. called the yard today. they will send a guy at to my mooring to replace the furling line next week. will let you all know how it works after that
ok I am going to try the new furling line approach. called the yard today. they will send a guy at to my mooring to replace the furling line next week. will let you all know how it works after that
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