We've a 2007 H31 with Selden in mast furling. We're not sure how we did it but the sail was furled kind of loosely and jammed when we tried to haul it out. We've tried furling it up tight, winching it out etc. but we are stuck. Has anyone else had this happen? I think maybe the spare halyard interfered with the halyard when we put it one and didn't have the right tension, but everything we try seems to make it worse.
Mainsail jammed in mast
- Thread starter brettgrant
- Start date
- Status
It happens..... Jammed
If you search on jammed, you'll find other ideas as well.
Also check the lijkns in this post Jammed Furling Main sail
If you search on jammed, you'll find other ideas as well.
Also check the lijkns in this post Jammed Furling Main sail
Make sure that the halyard has the right tension next time. What happens is that when its furled and you try to pull it out the next layer want to come out as well as the clew because of friction and therefore jamming the sail. I used a piece of wood 2 x 3 x 1/2 and a soft hammer to push the sagging sail back into the slot. You have to be patient, make sure that all the control lines are loose, spray soappy solution on the portion of the sail that is comming out of the slot, start from the bottom of the to the top moving up a few inches at a time. After all the sail is back inside the mast than use the outhaul to pull the sail out. I also found out that if you pull the sail from the outhaul and let it rest a few minutes the process gets easier than if you have tension applied all the time.
I now unfurl the main sail by using the outhaul only and when I have guest aboard I dont let them touch the main sail furling lines.
V49
I now unfurl the main sail by using the outhaul only and when I have guest aboard I dont let them touch the main sail furling lines.
V49
Last edited:
How to free jammed mainsail
Grab the universal circular line with both hands.
Jiggle each hand with some pull to free it up.
It's that simple.
Grab the universal circular line with both hands.
Jiggle each hand with some pull to free it up.
It's that simple.
Winch on mast
Have some one with the contineous line with the winch and handle and at the same time at the winch on the mast and both at the same time use the winches to pull it the sail out with the power of the winches and just do it together steadly slowly.
Nick
Have some one with the contineous line with the winch and handle and at the same time at the winch on the mast and both at the same time use the winches to pull it the sail out with the power of the winches and just do it together steadly slowly.
Nick
When I had the same issue, I opened both inspection ports and used the winch handle to gently push it back in place, while someone pulls on the out-haul. Take your time and you should be able to work it out. I'm not tempted to put the sail away sailing downwind any longer 
. The guys at Doyle told me that it is important to start it off tight whenever you start furling. Good luck!
. The guys at Doyle told me that it is important to start it off tight whenever you start furling. Good luck!
Of course, the party line is that this doesn't happen. At least not on my boat. But the responses above indicated it does happen.
I've had luck by using an in and out cycle repeatedly. Mine usually jams up high. So far as I can tell careless furling is the cause.
What about the leech line tension?
I've had luck by using an in and out cycle repeatedly. Mine usually jams up high. So far as I can tell careless furling is the cause.
What about the leech line tension?
- Status