I have a rolling furling system on my new sailboat (30ft Allied sea wind ketch ) and the wire/rope is pretty worn on the rolling furler. Is there a reason I could not just use straight rope halyard on that in stead of does the twisting do something.
Rolling Furling Question
- Thread starter Capt Strapfoots
- Start date
Usually it is not a problem to switch to all line from wire/rope as long as you do not exceed the maximum size of line your masthead block can handle. Also, make sure you choose a quality high tech, low stretch, line for your replacement. You want to find that "sweet spot" between line diameter and " hand, " that is, what the line feels like when you haul up the sail.
you might want to check the masthead sheave design for the furler. the book 'rigger's apprentice' notes that there are different sheave contours for different line , wire vs. rope. using the wrong line for the halyard coming through the sheave can lead to problems. a new wire to rope , duplicating the original, may be a better solution.
I'm pretty sure the sheave will be ok but can check that out in the fall when i haul it out. Most worried about the line holding is 4900 enough strength for a rolling furler under heavy wind conditions without snapping
I doubt there would ever be a problem with line strength in that application. Certainly it won't snap the line, but line stretch is the reason for hi-tech lines and as lines are loaded up more the stretch increases. 4900 lbs on the top of your mast would certainly turtle the boat. Also smaller lines are harder on the hands. If it's too hard on the hands you can always use gloves or a winch.
Ken
Ken
Thanks Ken that was my only concern is the line snapping next year I might go back to wire but I can't see where to secure the wire as who ever set it up made the wire too long (and the original is worn ) so I can't cleat it off properly next year I can get new rope wire and get a better length
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,789
Sheaves have different profiles for different lines. A U groove for rope, a modified Uv groove for Rope/Wire. I had Rope/Wire on my halyards and the sheaves were a Uv configuration. The bottom of the sheave was narrower then the upper section so the wire fit in the bottom. Decided to go to rope halyards. So my rigger widened the bottom of the sheave to be a U configuration. Now the sheave is for rope.
Line size is a ballasting act. Too small and you will have a chore using it in your hands - imagine trying to haul in 1/8 in wire. Too large and it will not fit on the furler spool, nor through the sheaves & fair leads etc. Start at the furler and see what line size can give you full sail wrap and some extra yet fit through the blocks/sheaves/fair leads and still feels ok in your hand.
For line length Barton (http://bartonmarine.com/tech-info-jib-furling-fitting-instructions.asp) has a simple to understand way to establish length of the furler line.
They talk about 5mm size line for their furler. Check your furler manufacturer for the line size.
You should be able to furl and unfurl without using a winch. If you need the winch there is a problem.
Line size is a ballasting act. Too small and you will have a chore using it in your hands - imagine trying to haul in 1/8 in wire. Too large and it will not fit on the furler spool, nor through the sheaves & fair leads etc. Start at the furler and see what line size can give you full sail wrap and some extra yet fit through the blocks/sheaves/fair leads and still feels ok in your hand.
For line length Barton (http://bartonmarine.com/tech-info-jib-furling-fitting-instructions.asp) has a simple to understand way to establish length of the furler line.
They talk about 5mm size line for their furler. Check your furler manufacturer for the line size.
You should be able to furl and unfurl without using a winch. If you need the winch there is a problem.