Loading the mainsail onto the furler

Jun 9, 2022
3
Beneteau Oceanis 461 Kings Point
I just received this boat, and I feel I'm missing parts to load the mainsail onto the in-mast furler. There's just a string coming out of the slot. Maybe there's more inside the removable plates on either side of the mast?
 

Attachments

Feb 21, 2013
4,638
Hunter 46 Point Richmond, CA
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new sailboat!!

Based on the 461 manual page 32 attached you have a Z-Spar Z901 furling mast and should have 2 inspection ports on the mast per the Z-Spar In-mast Furling Guide attached. Suggest contacing Z-Spar Z Spars International (z-spars.com) for a manual with diagrams to aid mainsail installation

From the Z-Spar In-mast Furling Guide: Installing the sail: Open both sets of inspection covers (C) by removing the top screw and loosening the lower one. Moving the cover sideways will reveal the sail entry slot cut in the furling extrusion (B). Feed the head of the sail through the mast slot and into the sail entry slot. Lower the main halyard to allow the shackle on the top swivel (A) to be attached to the strap sewn into the head of the sail, using an Allen (hex) key. Continue to feed the sail into the slot whilst the main halyard is being hoisted. Do not attempt this with the wind astern. The task is best attempted in little or no wind. Connect the bottom strap on the sail luff to the base of the furling extrusion with the shackle provided, by gaining access through the lower inspection ports. This tack shackle also connects the furling extrusion to the furling drum. Refit inspection hatches. Complete the installation by applying moderate tension to the main halyard
 

Attachments

Last edited:
May 17, 2004
5,679
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
Good instructions from sail sfbay. It looks like those strings are just messengers of some sort to hold everything in place. Once you open up the inspection ports you should see everything to attach the sail to. Some anti-seize on the screws for the inspection plates is a good idea too.
 
  • Helpful
Likes: sail sfbay
Jun 9, 2022
3
Beneteau Oceanis 461 Kings Point
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new sailboat!!

Based on the 461 manual page 32 attached you have a Z-Spar Z901 furling mast and should have 2 inspection ports on the mast per the Z-Spar In-mast Furling Guide attached. Suggest contacing Z-Spar Z Spars International (z-spars.com) for a manual with diagrams to aid mainsail installation

From the Z-Spar In-mast Furling Guide: Installing the sail: Open both sets of inspection covers (C) by removing the top screw and loosening the lower one. Moving the cover sideways will reveal the sail entry slot cut in the furling extrusion (B). Feed the head of the sail through the mast slot and into the sail entry slot. Lower the main halyard to allow the shackle on the top swivel (A) to be attached to the strap sewn into the head of the sail, using an Allen (hex) key. Continue to feed the sail into the slot whilst the main halyard is being hoisted. Do not attempt this with the wind astern. The task is best attempted in little or no wind. Connect the bottom strap on the sail luff to the base of the furling extrusion with the shackle provided, by gaining access through the lower inspection ports. This tack shackle also connects the furling extrusion to the furling drum. Refit inspection hatches. Complete the installation by applying moderate tension to the main halyard
Thanks! That is what I figured but was hoping against as the screws to the inspection plates are seized! I'll start working on those with oil, heat and impact driver. Hopefully nothing shears off!
 
Jun 9, 2022
3
Beneteau Oceanis 461 Kings Point
Good instructions from sail sfbay. It looks like those strings are just messengers of some sort to hold everything in place. Once you open up the inspection ports you should see everything to attach the sail to. Some anti-seize on the screws for the inspection plates is a good idea too.
Agreed on the anti- seize. I was hoping it wasn't the case to take those plates off, as the screws are all seized. I'll get to work on those screws!