Roller Furler- "Unfurling Problem"

[Debbie]

We bought a used Hunter 34 last summer and after addressing many other mechanical and physical problems we are just able this past month to raise our jib (when stepping the mast last year, the halyards were pulled to the very top of the mast and we spent several days this summer figuring out how to get them back through the mast from above--my partner climbed the mast and ran fishing line with weights down the inside of the mast, we ran a messenger line and then the halyards, after several other attempts this is what worked for us). 3 jib sails came with the boat -1) a white Johnson sail that matches color of the Mainsail 2) 2 North Sails that are multicolored , one is a 150% genoa and one is a "leech cut" genoaWe are able to furl and unfurl the white one and the 150, but the leech cut will furl and then not unfurl. When we raised the leech cut sail, there is about a 4 foot distance either from the top of the furler or at the bottom, depending on how high we raise it. The problem is, when we try to unfurl it, we get a halyard wrap at the top. We are wondering if it's the distance at the top of the furler that is not allowing it to unfurl, even though it furls without problems. It will unfurl about a foot and it stops and will not budge, because of the halyard wrap. The day we were doing this was fairly windy and we thought about taking it all the way up and then trying to furl and unfurl , but were wondering if it wouldn't unfurl via the furler, we might not be able to reach the bottom of the sail to physically unwrap it from the furler. Is this normal and does one have to run the sail up to the head of the forestay to furl/unfurl the genoa? If so, is it feasible to sail with the sail all the way up and the bottom of the sail is then 4-5 ft off the deck?We were leary to raise it all the way and furl it with the fear we couldn't unfurl it until we asked advice.Thanks,Deb

 

[Alan]

Your problem...

.. is more than likely the angel of the halyard to the headstay. If the halyard is exiting the mast and is almost parallel to the headstay the halyard will wrap easily. The cure is to put a retainer on the mast 6 to 10 inches down from the exit. It will prevent halyard wrap provided you use proper halyard tension.

 

[alan]

Does your furler have its own halyard and...

...what type is it? alan

 

[Bayard Gross]

Wire pennent required at top of sail

Since you have no problems with furling and unfurling the two other jibs, one a 150% and the other I recond with a luff of close the same length as the 150%, the problem is not with your furler, but rather that the shorter luff of the "leech cut" sail (which I think is really just a small storm type jib) keeps the upper swivel on the furler down too low from where the halyard exits the mast and thereby generates this halyard wrap problem.The simplest remedy is to install a wire pennent onto the head (top) of this jib so that with this wire it has a luff length similar to that of the other two jibs. In this fashion the upper swivel of the furler will rest closer to where the halyard exits the mast and thereby should eliminate halyard wrap. An alternative could be to place this wire pennant on the tack (bottom). The only advantage to this, however, is to allow some viewing room across the bow, for as a heavy weather sail, it really should not have a high hoist, and, of course, jibs should ride as close to the deck as possible.Once you have established the length required for the wire pennent, you might be able to get the wire pennent you need through The Sail Warehouse, or you could have one made up at West Marine, etc. I think you should use wire the same size as that on your shrouds and stays. Also, don't forget to adjust for any shackles (maybe up to two) that will be required to attach the pennent between the head of the jib and the upper swivel of the furler. The shackles can also be employed to lengthen a too short pennent.

 

[Debbie]

Thanks for Advice

In answer to Alan's question, it's a Hood Furler and it does have it's own Halyard.But I think Bayard hit the nail on the head.I did a little research with what info you gave and went to some sites that sell sails and furling systems and the pennent makes sense now. I too believe it's not a problem with the furler, it works to easy when the sails that go all the way up the forestay are at the top, both furling and unfurling. We'll have to measure for the pennent size and have one made and give it a shot. I'd definitely like to have all the smaller sails working as we're new to sailing and can use all the help we can get in heavy winds,,,,,,,,,thanks again