Has any owner had any problems with their in-mast furling system. If so, what kind of problem and how was it fixed? (of special interest - jamming whilst at sea) regds michael
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Michael, I have experienced no problems to date with my 38's in mast furling. I do furl/unfurl with the boom elevated approximately 5 degrees from horizontal and maintain slight tension on the outhaul when furling/ slight tension on the furler drum line when unfurling. I note that the ranks of 38 owners who have registered in the owners directory is growing. It would be great if they would list their hull # when they do so we could get an idea of how popular the production run is, and where in the run that specific problems might be occuring. Steve Kamp, Hunter 38 126, "Carolina"
5 years and no problem......
....on my 376 or my 386. Steve hit upon a couple of important points. Make sure your vang is loose (appropriatly) and the sheet line is loose (appropriatly) I have thought about 2 kinds of problems.... 1. general sail furling when you are comming into port 2. Emergency furling for whatever reason If #1 occurs, and the sail is partially furled, I believe I would simply loosen the outhaul and roll or bunch the sail up against the mast and bungee cord it as best as possible. Or, if not furled at all, uncleat the halyard and drop the sail. If #2 occurs, I would try the roll / bunch it up method. However, my guess is that the emergency would entail high winds, and this may not work well, or at all. Dropping the sail would work if not stuck half in and half out. If none of the above work, I imagine a flogging sail will take care of itself in a few minutes. Jeff
....on my 376 or my 386. Steve hit upon a couple of important points. Make sure your vang is loose (appropriatly) and the sheet line is loose (appropriatly) I have thought about 2 kinds of problems.... 1. general sail furling when you are comming into port 2. Emergency furling for whatever reason If #1 occurs, and the sail is partially furled, I believe I would simply loosen the outhaul and roll or bunch the sail up against the mast and bungee cord it as best as possible. Or, if not furled at all, uncleat the halyard and drop the sail. If #2 occurs, I would try the roll / bunch it up method. However, my guess is that the emergency would entail high winds, and this may not work well, or at all. Dropping the sail would work if not stuck half in and half out. If none of the above work, I imagine a flogging sail will take care of itself in a few minutes. Jeff
in-mast furling
Any problems that I had on my 340 were definitely due to "pilot error" and occurred in high winds. By all means, make sure your outhaul is slack when bringing in the main. Also, use of the crank at the bottom of the main mast is more efficient, and locks in place. Also make sure, periodically, that the sail is in good shape and not weakened from the sun exposre at the attachment points.
Any problems that I had on my 340 were definitely due to "pilot error" and occurred in high winds. By all means, make sure your outhaul is slack when bringing in the main. Also, use of the crank at the bottom of the main mast is more efficient, and locks in place. Also make sure, periodically, that the sail is in good shape and not weakened from the sun exposre at the attachment points.
Main Furling on Hunter 33
I was instructed to keep some pressure on the outhaul and to furl in one specific direction (mine can furl both direction clockwise and counter-clockwise) which I do not recall just now. The pressure on the outhaul snugs the mailsail up tight as it rolls up in the mast. The only time I have ever had trouble is when I broke one of those two rules. Andy
I was instructed to keep some pressure on the outhaul and to furl in one specific direction (mine can furl both direction clockwise and counter-clockwise) which I do not recall just now. The pressure on the outhaul snugs the mailsail up tight as it rolls up in the mast. The only time I have ever had trouble is when I broke one of those two rules. Andy
michael
Jamming isn't an issue when at sea normally. Jamming happpens when you haven't rolled it up right so when you go to unroll it, it jams. In otherwords, when you decide it's time to reduce sail because of high winds, it will go in every time. If you don't roll it up right though, it may take a few minutes to get it out. The only time I've had problems is from when I unrolled it at the dock, dropped the haylard, and then rolled it back up. I think my problems have something to do with not getting enough tension on the haylard and the outhaul when furling it. Other then the 4 times early this year when I was still learning how to use it, it's been great and I love it.
Jamming isn't an issue when at sea normally. Jamming happpens when you haven't rolled it up right so when you go to unroll it, it jams. In otherwords, when you decide it's time to reduce sail because of high winds, it will go in every time. If you don't roll it up right though, it may take a few minutes to get it out. The only time I've had problems is from when I unrolled it at the dock, dropped the haylard, and then rolled it back up. I think my problems have something to do with not getting enough tension on the haylard and the outhaul when furling it. Other then the 4 times early this year when I was still learning how to use it, it's been great and I love it.
Michael of Hong Kong...
What model Hunter do you have? I know of a particular/unique(?) issue on a specific model, but not the details. I can refer you if it's related.
What model Hunter do you have? I know of a particular/unique(?) issue on a specific model, but not the details. I can refer you if it's related.
Spefically I was writing about a Hunter 33 - and actually on behalf of a potential buyer who asked me the question. I have a H38, with slab reefing and the power winch option. But I think that had I known then, what I know now, I would have gone with the furling main. happy new year michael
We have 3 years of experience on our Hunter 356. The most important part is to remember that the sail needs to roll in counterclockwise if you are looking down from the top of the mast. This is best accomplished while on a stbd tack. We have never had a problem and have been able to reef the sail while on a stbd tack in 25 knot winds. Anything over that it is better to come into the wind. We never have used the mast winch and have done everything from the safety of our cockpit.
Many thanks to all those who gave their thoughts and experiences to my "in mast furling" post. All very helpful. Regards Michael Spivey
rigging
How hard is it to step and unstep the mast with an in-mast furling system? Does the extra weight create a very difficult chore to handle? Is the rigging harder to tune with this system? I'm considering a P42... Thanks
How hard is it to step and unstep the mast with an in-mast furling system? Does the extra weight create a very difficult chore to handle? Is the rigging harder to tune with this system? I'm considering a P42... Thanks
Ted - Selden Masts
On my 2004-33 the tuning is the same. I remove the sail before stepping/unstepping my mast. The actual internal rigging is fairly light. There is some good information including manuals here http://www.seldenus.com Andy
On my 2004-33 the tuning is the same. I remove the sail before stepping/unstepping my mast. The actual internal rigging is fairly light. There is some good information including manuals here http://www.seldenus.com Andy
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