In Mast Furler

[dms543]

Anyone having issues with their sail hanging up in the furling track?

 

[Randall]

In mast furling

If you are asking about installing the sail on the furling tube in the first place, no, I haven't had any problems. If you are asking about setting or furling the sail, here are some thoughts that apply to the Charleston Spar mast that I have. The only time I've had trouble setting the sail is when I had too much vang or mainsheet on, pulling the boom down. The resulting angle between the mast and boom was too wide for the leach of the sail, so it wouldn't roll out. Also, while the sail will furl or set in just about any boom possition (port or starboard), because of the direction the furler turns and the slot in the main, it's better if the boom is centered or a bit to port. Other than these operator errors, I've had no problems.

 

[dms543]

Thanks

The issue is on installation. Every season I encounter some fraying around the luff cord which in turn gets hung up on the tube.

 

[Bill C320 Papillon]

In-mast

I have a z-spar furling system that is about 10 years old. I have not had trouble furling the main but it helps me to be on a starboard tack because the entry angle is better. I have furled single handed in 30-40 kt winds. The biggest problem furling/reefing is tailing the furling line, keeping tension on the outhaul, and cranking the winch handle all at the same time. For that reason, I am considering replacing my furling winch with a self tailing one. I have a wincher on my existin winch and that helps but a real self tailing winch would be great.Getting the sail unfurled is another matter. I have to use the winch/handle pulling on the outhaul and sometimes, depending on how smoothly the sail rolled up the last time, the sail will have a wrinkle that sticks in the mast slot. All I do when this happens is to pull down on the aft end of the boom (jerk sharply with all my weight) and the wrinkle pops free or loosens enough to continue deploying the main. If you do this, make sure your hands are aft of the car track or you can get smacked when the sail breaks free.I single hand most of the time, and in-mast furling gets me out winds that most of my dock mates avoid. I'll never have another boat without it.