Outhaul rigging for in-mast furling main

[Tomek23582]

Hi:
I was wondering what is the purpose of ~2 in diameter, soft, grey ring that the main outhaul for the in-mast furling main threads through. I was putting the sails on my H33 2006 and could not recall at what section of outhaul it was mounted last year (I took the possession of her last year with the sails already in place, and did not take enough notes/pictures when winterizing).

Thanks in advance
Tomek

 

[Ron McCoy]

Place the rubber gromet next to the shackle. It's supposed to prevent the shackle from marring the boom.

 

[Tomek23582]

Thank you for your answer, Ron. I kinda suspected something like that but wasn't sure where it should go.
Tomek

 

[Rick486]

Actually the piece in question also prevents the block sewn into the tack of the furling main which turns the outhaul to the outhaul car on the boom from being chafed and abraded through contact with the car. So remember the doughnut goes on the outhaul line after it passes through the block and before the attachment to the car. This is a subject of some confusion as I have seen the doughnuts mounted on some boats on the outhaul line BEFORE it goes through the sail, which renders the doughnut useless.

 

[Tomek23582]

Thank you Rick.
I saw it mounted the other way on another Hunter in my marina, but the owner wasn't there, so I could not discuss it with him.