Procedure to reef in mast furling main

[RNC725]

We are lake sailors. Our old boat was a 1967 Cal 30. We never reefed her even in winds over 25---which are rare here.
We know have a 2002 Hunter 326 with IMF. It would appear to be as simple as reducing sail on a job with roller fueling.
Advice? Thoughts? Ridicule?
Fairwinds,

 

[Davidasailor26]

That’s pretty much it. You may need to be pointed into the wind to reef the main, more so than the jib, but other than that it’s pretty similar. Just keep a bit of tension on the outhaul so the sail doesn’t flog too much and try to have the boom at the right height.

 

[capta]

Each boat is a little different. First and foremost, the condition of the sail must be taken into account. If old and baggy, it will tend to bind where the baggy part is and much care must be taken to stop doing what you are doing (in or out) immediately and reverse (several times if necessary). Then slowly work the sail through what would have become a jam. NEVER FORCE THINGS!
With a newish main this should not come into play, but if your main is older, start saving for a new one or have it recut by a sail maker.
With a good, flat main, some boats require the boom to be set somewhere around a 7 degree angle up from level. Ours doesn't. We keep a slight tention on the clew going in and often use the wind to help pull it out. We also set, reef, shake out reefs and furl the imrf on every point of sail, including ddw in light wind (just keep the boom amidships).
If you want to be one of us who love our imrf, then take it easy and remember don't force things. There is a learning curve and once you've mastered the system, you'll never want to go back to any other system.

 

[sail sfbay]

When you furl it out or reef it:

1. Release vang and mainsheet so that the leach has little or no tension.
2. You want to be on a slight starboard tack to ensure there is no friction where it comes out of the mast as the sail can get stuck.
3. Winch the outhaul out to unfurl the main while maintaining tension on the continuous furl-in line. The latter will avoid the sail puffing up in the mast and getting stuck.

When you furl it in or reef it:

1. Release vang and mainsheet so that the leach has little or no tension.
2. You also want to be on a slight starboard tack to ensure there is no friction where it is furled into the mast.
3. Winch the continuous furling line in to furl the main in while maintaining tension on the outhaul so it furls tight otherwise it might not all get furled in.

These steps are really important if you have partial vertical battens as the battens can get stuck in the mast and that could require a mast climb to get them unstuck.

 

[Joe2954]

I launch and retrieve the main heading downwind. As for reefing, when sailing up wind, I either ease it and crank it in while on a tack with the jib pulling and Otto steering or heave to, ease the main and furl.

 

[Phantom154]

I have to disagree with sail sfbay about pulling the sail out. I have a 2014 MH40. I had problems with the sail binding when I tried to pull it out with any tension on the continuous line. I found it was better to let some out by pulling on the out side of the continuous line while taking out the slack with the outhaul. Try both ways and see what works best for you. I do agree that if it starts to bind you need to stop pulling it out immediately and crank it back in. When bringing it in, I prefer to crank it in with the handle at the mast while my wife eases the outhaul.

 

[sail sfbay]

Below, please find Selden's procedure for reefing an in-mast furling sail from page 7 of their manual. In light to moderate wind I find it easy to be on a slight starboard tack to ensure the sail furls tightly into the mast. In heavy wind I might do this downwind to take the pressure off the main sail. Be sure to switch the reefing winch at the mast from "free' to "rachet" to prevent the sail from inadvertently unfurling during this operation.

1. Carefully slacken off the outhaul line.
2. Whilst continuing to ease off the outhaul, roll in the desired amount of sail (with the “furl in” endless reefing line).
3. The leech should be kept fairly taught. Keep slight tension on the outhaul while doing this.
4. When working at the mast: activate the lock on the Reefing Winch (-IN’) before reefing the sail. When the desired amount of sail is rolled in, use the outhaul to stretch the foot of the sail.
5. When operating from the cockpit: make both sides of the (endless) reefing line fast to prevent slip on the Reefing Winch. Finally, tension the outhaul.

 

[PeterBreit]

I have 2000 Beneteau 461 with in-mast furling. Lately I had lot's of problems un- or out-furling the main. After watching several You-Tube movies and reading up everything I could find it is working now !
Here are some pointers:
Beneteau should have build a straight mast for in-mast furling. The mast has a bend at the upper 1/4, not very conductive for the furling. Therefore the halyard tension is very critical. Too tight and the sail will not unfurl and bunch up, too loose creates a similar problem.
Lubricate everything very well ! US Spars changed the boom car from having roller balls to sliding sticks. Why ? It does not work better...
Raise the boom to be parallel with the foot of the sail. Important also when you furl or reef the sail. That keeps an even pressure on the leach and foot of the sail.
Keep the main and down haul lines somewhat loose. And as others said a slight starport tack off the wind helps. Keep minimum tension on the outhaul line when furling/reefing and conversely slight tension on the reefing (in-Haul?) line when pulling out the sail.
If the sail gets stuck don't force it! Small back and force movements will eventually bring it out.
Good luck
s/v Belvedere
Chesapeake Bay, Kent Narrows, MD

 

[capta]

I have 2000 Beneteau 461 with in-mast furling. Lately I had lot's of problems un- or out-furling the main. After watching several You-Tube movies and reading up everything I could find it is working now !
Here are some pointers:
Beneteau should have build a straight mast for in-mast furling. The mast has a bend at the upper 1/4, not very conductive for the furling. Therefore the halyard tension is very critical. Too tight and the sail will not unfurl and bunch up, too loose creates a similar problem.
Lubricate everything very well ! US Spars changed the boom car from having roller balls to sliding sticks. Why ? It does not work better...
Raise the boom to be parallel with the foot of the sail. Important also when you furl or reef the sail. That keeps an even pressure on the leach and foot of the sail.
Keep the main and down haul lines somewhat loose. And as others said a slight starport tack off the wind helps. Keep minimum tension on the outhaul line when furling/reefing and conversely slight tension on the reefing (in-Haul?) line when pulling out the sail.
If the sail gets stuck don't force it! Small back and force movements will eventually bring it out.
Good luck
s/v Belvedere
Chesapeake Bay, Kent Narrows, MD

I doubt that your furling main was cut for the curve in your mast, so you have a baggy area around the bend. If I were you I'd straighten my mast and you should have no further problems.

 

[PeterBreit]

Capta,
My main was made for this particular bend Beneteau mast. And a year ago I had North Sails reshape it FWIW? The mast cannot be straightened it is fixed that way. Not an issue where I can adjust the backstays.
I adjusted the halyard and lifted the boom with the topping lift and I am happy to say no more haul-out problems.
Cheers