Profurl Headsail Locking Device

[Bowedtoothdoc]

My Hunter 450 has a Profurl roller furling head sail. I do not have any manuals or documentation. There are two square black knobs on the front and back under the drum that have arrows on them. Can anyone tell me what they do? Are they used for reefing and locking the drum? What direction should the arrows be pointed? Should the head sail be reefed just using the furling line alone..even in strong winds?
Thanks

 

[rardiH36]

They are locking devices to secure/unsecure the link plates into the furler drum that extend down to the toggle assembly at the bottom of the forestay. Arrow up means secured. Arrow down means the link plates can be detatched from the drum. These pieces have no function for normal furler operation. They don't lock the drum from turning. I have the "long" link plates on my furler which raises the drum about 15" above the deck and allows my headstay turnbuckle to be in full view. If remove one of the link plates, I can easily adjust the turnbuckle.

Not sure what model Profurl you have. Here is link to the installation/parts manual for Profurl's "C" (cruising) series and R (racing) series. The other line is Profurl's "Classic" series.

http://www.profurl.com/images/prestations/manuel-de-montage-pour-enrouleurs-manuels-c350-555.pdf

 

[rardiH36]

Sorry -- Didn't give response to your last question. A search of the forums should lead to lots of info about reefing techniques with a furler.

But in general, most furlers weren't intended to deal with the strain of pulling hard on the furler line (say with a winch) when the sail is under tension. Also the wraps on the drum can get embedded into each other. Instead, first ease the jib sheet so you've got a soft belly (reduced pressure) on the sail. In stronger winds, a beam reach does well for this. Then pull in the furler line to roll up the sail around the furler to the point you wish. Depending on how much sail you want to wrap, be sure to ease the jib sheet more than once so that the sail always maintains the soft belly. Putting the furler line around a winch can help with control and helps prevent the furler line from getting away and letting the sail run out again. But don't use the winch to forcefully roll up the sail. Another way to gain added control is to lead the furler line through a ratchet block -- last block mounted at the cockpit. You can pull in by hand, but as long as tension is maintained on the line, the line won't play out again.

 

[Bowedtoothdoc]

Rardi,
Thanks the the detailed replies...It is not very often that I have to reef the Jib, but when I do it seems like allot of tension is on that furling line. I typically will not use a winch for reefing the sail, only in an emergency if I am already dead down wind and unable to roll it by hand. This also prevents it from running back out.

 

[Gunni]

Your concerns about the tension on that lone roller furler control line are legitimate. However you can mitigate the risk by not getting yourself into a downwind run with too much sail up. Reef early, and do it by hand. If you wait until you have to reef using the winch you are creating a hazard, and unnecessary strain on equipment. Inexperienced sailors most often get caught over-canvassed in a downwind point of sail. Apparent wind and all that.

Keep you furling lines and attachments in good shape. Don't be caught over-canvassed, that strains everything. A good option in big wind is to roll the headsail up and wrap it with a gale sail.