Well, there is a little more to it
It is a little more involved than Greg suggests. Definitely want to do this on a calm day. I also recommend doing it on a day that isn't too cold, because you will be holding some small (and important) pieces with your fingers. I have not yet done mine this year, so this is from memory. First, remove the four inspection plates from the sides of the mast. Have with you a 4mm and a 5mm Allen wrench, and a pair of needle-nose pliers - you need these to remove the shackles for the head and tack. Pull out the sail with the outhaul. lower the sail by releasing the halyard. you will be able to see and reach both shackles through the inspection ports. Hope you have long, thin fingers. One of the shackles uses the 4mm Allen wrench and the other the 5mm wrench. You may need to play with the outhaul and reefing lines a bit to rotate the furling assembly to allow you to access the shackles. Use the needle-nose pliers to hold the shackle, while using the allen wrench to loosen the screw pin on the shackle. Be careful not to drop the pin inside the mast. Once you have it loosened, use your fingers to unscrew and remove it the rest of the way. Then you can slip the sail strap off the shackle. Replace the pin. Do this to the other shackle. Tie a small line to the upper shackle. I then use the halyard to pull this about halfway up the mast. Then I tie the other end of the line to the end of the boom. It keeps the shackle and internal lines from banging around inside the mast. Of course, it also prevents the internal line from going up to someplace where you cannot reach it when it comes Spring and you are putting the sail back on. Slide the sail out of the slot on the fuling mechanism. The undo the knot at the clew, at the outhaul car. Take the sail someplace to fold it up. If I have missed anything, please let me know. I have to remove my sails pretty soon and would appreciate a "heads up." Hope this helps. Steve
