In-mast Furler Shackle

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gregrosine

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May 6, 2013
20
Beneteau 352 Holland,MI
The boathttp://www.sailnet.com/forums/# is in the water and the sails are up. This was the first time we put up our mainsail. It is an in-mast furler on a 1999 Beneteau 352. There is a shackle where you attach the tack of the mainsail. Taking the shackle out is an invitation to losing the shackle down the inside of the mast. The shackle also acts as the attachment for the furling mechanism with the aluminum shaft into which you feed the sail. I took off the shackle with some deft fingers through the small holes on either side of the mast and successfully connected the tack of the mainsail. I finished thinking I was lucky I didn't loose the shackle or shackle pin.

Question: Is there an acceptable way to attach the tack of the sail to the shackle without having to going through the risk http://www.sailnet.com/forums/# of loosing the shackle down the mast? If it can be lashed to the shackle are there any suggestions or pictures that someone can point me to?

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
tbilyeu

tbilyeu

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Jul 29, 2014
37
beneteau oceanis 45 south haven, mi
I bent on the furling main on my 2014 Oceanis 45 for the first time this May. Last year the boat was delivered the sail attached. It was real trick getting it off last fall and a better trick getting it on this spring. The tack shackle will not fit through the sail slot and must be attached through the windows on either side of the mast. I could find nothing on you tube are anywhere else to demonstrate how to do this. I am thinking of hiring David Copperfield next year.
 
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gregrosine

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May 6, 2013
20
Beneteau 352 Holland,MI
That was our case as well. It was quite the trick trying to attach the tack of sail to shackle. I kept thinking if I lose this thing down the mast I'm done for the day. Even though we have had good luck with the in-mast furler and find it easy to use, having the whole mechanism inaccessible makes me nervous. Complexity on a sailboat isn't good.
 
rickbogh

rickbogh

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Mar 4, 2015
16
Beneteau 411 Narragansett Bay
I have owned my 411 for 16 years, and most years, i simply leave the sail in the mast over the winter. I cover the exposed portion by wrapping the mast with line. Doesn't seem to have hurt either of the two main sails I have owned. My sympathies to fellow in mast owners. Never again would I buy this furling system. Mainly for the useless sail it presents, not so much for the pain of reattachment after storage.
 
FlorDLuna

FlorDLuna

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Jun 18, 2013
39
Beneteau 41.1 Glen Cove, NY
About two years ago, when I got a new mainsail from NeilPryde in Connecticut, they were good enough to drive with me to the boat to help bend on the new sail. They showed me their trick: stuff a rag or paper towel into the space between the furler and the inner mast wall just below the shackle, so if it slips from your finger (no, not if, when...) it will not drop to the base of the mast, but rather will just sit on top of the rag for easy retrieval.
 
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gregrosine

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May 6, 2013
20
Beneteau 352 Holland,MI
rickbogh said:
I have owned my 411 for 16 years, and most years, i simply leave the sail in the mast over the winter. I cover the exposed portion by wrapping the mast with line. Doesn't seem to have hurt either of the two main sails I have owned. My sympathies to fellow in mast owners. Never again would I buy this furling system. Mainly for the useless sail it presents, not so much for the pain of reattachment after storage.
Click to expand
I have a dock neighbor who leaves his sail in the mast all winter. I prefer to take mine down and stow it indoors. It also gives me the chance to look over the sail for wear
 
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