In 2012, I bought Still Crazy, my 2005 Catalina 310 with in mast roller furling. At that time it was very easy to furl and unfurl the main. Over the years it has become progressively much more difficult to the point that I now have to use the winch to furl and unfurl the main. Charleston Spar referred me to MAC sails. They felt that the most likely problem was that the sail had stretched to the point that it was bunching up to much in the mast and they recommended a new sail. As a new sail from them would cost $1,700, I wanted to be as sure as possible that it was the sail. Has anyone had the same experience? Jeff
In mast roller furling problem
- Thread starter Jeff652
- Start date
This is hard to answer. Have you been doing the required maintenance on the furling mechanism? If you have, is the boom "drooping", not up about 3 or 4 degrees like it should be due to topping lift stretch? Is the sail 12 years old and been used a lot? P.S I love Mack sails. They really know their stuff and will take all the time you need to answer your questions.
Thanks. I didn't know that there was maintenance on the furling mechanism except for washing it down which I do. As it turns out, I'll be going to the Annapolis Boat Show this weekend so I'll talk to the people at MACK sails again. I'll ask about vertical battens but I have a feeling that there is not enough room in the mast to accept them.
Amazing Grace is a 2005 Catalina 310, no 307. I bought her in Jul 14. She had the original mainsail. Roller furling was a real chore. It would frequently not want to unfurl. At times it would get stuck going out and then not want to go back in. I carefully measured the boom angle and ensured it was angled up correctly.
I bought a new main in Jan 17. It made all the difference in the world. The main goes in and out easy. The boat picked up speed. Clearly the old main was blown out and that was the problem.
I contacted Charleston Spar about maintenance. Rinsing out occasionally is all they recommended.
I talked with my sail maker (Schurr Sails of Pensacola) about vertical battens. Given the width of the mast slot, that just didn't seem to be a reasonable option
I bought a new main in Jan 17. It made all the difference in the world. The main goes in and out easy. The boat picked up speed. Clearly the old main was blown out and that was the problem.
I contacted Charleston Spar about maintenance. Rinsing out occasionally is all they recommended.
I talked with my sail maker (Schurr Sails of Pensacola) about vertical battens. Given the width of the mast slot, that just didn't seem to be a reasonable option
As my name suggests I have hull #1 which as i tell my wife means that every other Catalina 310 is newer than ours... We have 2006 furling main system with vertical battens. Works great. Inherited from the previous (original) owner and the sail was made by Sailmakers in Ft. Lauderdale. Not a Catalina sail and has no logos or numbers but does have 3 vertical battens that really help mainsail shape and performance.
bob
bob
I bought the same boat 2 years ago. It is Hull number 239, built in 2003. I am at least the third owner, and I don't know if it has the original sail. The boat, however was very lightly used, and the mainsail looks to be in excellent shape. I occasionally have the same problem, but find that releasing the tension on the boom vang, and keeping the boat on a starboard tack with moderate tension in the outhaul enables a neater rollup at the end of the day, and easier unfurling the next time out.
I know the mechanism has needle bearings which need to be lubed. Do you know if the mast has to be taken down to do so?
One nice feature is that we still have the option to place a classic main sail as this mast has the slot for sliders. Performance vs convenience argument.
I noticed this season that it was becoming much more difficult to furl and unfurl mine. So after carefully scrubbing out the boom track as per usual, I sprayed Sailkote (a dry lube) onto the track and immediately noticed a difference, thereby confirming the diagnosis, of my less than ideal maintainence.
I noticed this season that it was becoming much more difficult to furl and unfurl mine. So after carefully scrubbing out the boom track as per usual, I sprayed Sailkote (a dry lube) onto the track and immediately noticed a difference, thereby confirming the diagnosis, of my less than ideal maintainence.
A new sail cured my problems.
My roller bearings are self lubing Stainless and water washing annually for"spider dung", is all that mine need.
Look for "baggy sail" near the clew on the foot of the sail. That part fabric stretches most and is in the worst part of the sail, for maximum furled diameter, inside the mast.
Jim..
Here is a picture of the sail with 3 vertical battens. Works fine with the IMF. Also a pic of who made it. Call them and mention the sail they made for Rick Litchfield who was the original owner of hull #1 and who I bought it from.
Attachments
My hull No is 149. Sail became harder to furl after about 12 years. Became really difficult after some leech repairs (UV damage, even though in-mast furling) which thickened the leech. New sail this year from North Sails made all the difference. It probably also helps that the new sail appears slightly lighter, but is supposed to be as strong as the old one. I didn’t opt for battens, as I feel that in-mast furling is a compromise of comfort vs performance anyway.
Thanks all for your help. I just returned from the Annapolis Boat Show and spoke to the folks at MACK sails. They gave me a few suggestions but which I will try out next spring (e.g. adjusting the boom angle and lubricating the boom track). If these don't work, I'll get a new sail from MACK. They seen very knowledgeable.
For some tips and good discussion on in-mast furling, with pictures even.
Boom angle discussed too.
http://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/in-mast-piece-of-crap-furling-system.175976/
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Read the entire thread about the "mechanism" and to trouble shooting tips too.
Jim...
PS: I can help in Private Message or by phone.
.Boom angle discussed too.
http://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/in-mast-piece-of-crap-furling-system.175976/
_______
Read the entire thread about the "mechanism" and to trouble shooting tips too.
Jim...
PS: I can help in Private Message or by phone.
I agree with Muttondressedaslamb's comment: releasing the tension on the boom vang, and keeping the boat on a starboard tack with moderate tension in the outhaul enables a neater rollup at the end of the day, and easier unfurling the next time out. This makes a huge difference on success with the furling mechanism on my C-310 (hull 162). I also lubricate anything that moves with Sailkote dry lubricant.
I have also used Sailkote, but find it doesn't last. I prefer to use either garage door lubricant or motorcycle chain lube
Thought I would add this nice article about in mast furling:
(Explains why loosening vang works)
http://www.sailboat-cruising.com/in-mast-furling.html
(Explains why loosening vang works)
http://www.sailboat-cruising.com/in-mast-furling.html