In-mast furling

[Broke sailor SV Marcell]

When I bought my boat during sea trails my exposure to in mast furling was very slight, there was barely a breeze blowing. Then on her maiden voyage when I tried to use it with fresh winds I ended up ripping the engine throttle right off. So since then I haven't used it. I have been browsing the archives for info. My boat did not include an owners manual related to the in-mast furler. i still have questions. Is it not required to head into the wind to furl/unfurl? One post talked about unfurl jib first then main on a port tack if furler runs clockwise. Why? then it talks about furling the jib first then the main. Again why? Do you need to point into the wind? I loosened the main shhet and vang and that's when I got in trouble with the boom swinging and the sheet swinging. Is this required? Any other needed info? TIA.

 

[Jim Seamans]

I'll try to help

The main wraps in a counterclock wise direction when pulling the main in. I was told that if you head into the wind it takes the load off the sail and rolls up much faster/easier. Of course I have an autopilot which holds the course. As I come up into the wind I center the boom. Then I take a couple of wraps around the winch with the outhaul line to keep it from flying and with a couple of wraps with the roller furl line, I pull real fast and in comes the main. Now most of the time the outhaul will feed just fine but some times you need to reach over and loosen it up a little. I would guess that if you are taking in all the sails, I would take in the jib first and then the main. Letting out I put out the main first and if needed the jib. With the B&R Hunter rigs, the main is what is generating all the power. As far as the jib goes, I don't think it matters what point of sail you are on - goes in or out very freely. The main is rubbing on the mast channel slot and binds a little when on a port tack.Hope some of this helps.Planning to be out on Saturday, might see you.JimS/V Java

 

[PHitchcox]

Agree

I'll add one of those useless posts where the next guy agrees with the first guy - Jim has it right.You want to maintain the same logic as with a traditional sail; heading into the wind allows the furling main to come out, and go back in, with minimal friction. Any other point of sail puts friction on the sail leaving the mast. If slightly to port to accomodate the clockwise rotation of the furling mast, then only slightly (and I've never, in five years, even thought about the clockwise effect...)The outhaul 'catches' on deployment, so it needs a little encouragement sometimes.I also agree, main comes out first and goes back in last. Jib out second, back in first (though I'd keep the same logic of heading upwind with the jib to makes its furling easier; why get tricky?) Head up wind, in comes the jib; in comes the main, and you're down in 30 seconds.Hope that helps. Like Jim said.

 

[Joe Boyette]

Just loosen a little...

I just want to add that the main sheet and boom vang should only be loosened a little, not so much as to allow the boom excessive motion. The idea is to remove enough tension from the sail to allow it to roll up freely and without distortion from the downward force applied by the sheet and boom vang. Just loosen it enough that the boom can move maybe a half a foot or so back and forth, up and down-- more or less.