Selden furling mast issue

sail sfbay · Jun 15, 2020

Never had that problem.............suggest manually unfurl the sail completely with the "reefing winch"(page 3) with vang and main sheet released then refurl and let us know if that worked. Manual attached in case you didn't have one.

Jake N Eggs · Jun 15, 2020

I have not had this happen but I can see that it may be possible if the tack if the sail is looped onto the securing post out of phase with the head connection. With the sail deployed loosen the main halyard and unhook the tack loop. Re-connect the tack loop in line with the head connection. The head piece and the lack securing post should turn together when the sail is furled.

sail sfbay · Jun 16, 2020

Might contact a sail guy who is familiar with your Selden furling mast to reinstall your sail and test furling in and out and confirm whether you need a new sail.

gfrazzle · Jun 17, 2020

I would talk directly with Seldon. They have most likely dealt with this problem before and will know what needs to be done to correct.

Jake N Eggs · Jun 17, 2020

DRhoads said:
Jake I think you nailed it. I did line up the tack loop when the sail was "hanked" but this keep happening. Not sure if the bottom is supposed to move independently.

The top and bottom should turn together. I have not had trouble with mine but on page 5 of the previously supplied furling mast manual it shows a locking tube that looks like it secures the bottom section to the luff section. If this locking tube is not secured or is not engaged in the lower section it could result in the luff section turning at a different rate than the lower section. I do not know if the luff section is all one or if it is made up of separate pieces and locked together. I believe that the luff tape would stop the luff section from turning independently if it is in fact made up of separate pieces. My betting money is on the lock tube not being secured correctly.

Let us know what you find. I will add an inspection to my mast inspection and maintenance procedure.

tfox2069 · Jun 17, 2020

Quick clarifying question - in your first photo it appears that the upper part of the main is fully deployed, but the lower part still has a turn around the furler, is that right? Or is the entire sail, somewhat evenly, only 90% deployed?

tfox2069 · Jun 17, 2020

DRhoads said:
tfox2069 - "the upper part of the main is fully deployed, but the lower part still has a turn around the furler", is correct

Have you taken the sail completely off the furler and tried to reset it? And if so does it immediately have this problem, or does it take a time or two of furling/unfurling for the problem to present itself?

My initial suspicion is your locking screw in the locking ring at the base of the furler is loose, and therefore the base of the furler isn't locked to the movement of the rest of the furler. It obviously follows it somewhat or you wouldn't be able to get the sail out 90%. But the fact that the tack is having a problem leads me to that hypothesis.

Here's a link to the manual which would help understand, and a cutout of the part I'm talking about: http://www.seldenmast.com/files/1584960904/595-065-E.pdf

sail sfbay · Jun 17, 2020

tfox2069........it would appear you nailed it!! Hopefully drhoads will confirm for the rest of the forum to learn AND get back to sailing with the main sail fully unfurled.

tfox2069 · Jun 17, 2020

sail sfbay said:
tfox2069........it would appear you nailed it!! Hopefully drhoads will confirm for the rest of the forum to learn AND get back to sailing with the main sail fully unfurled.

I hope so - furlers are awesome devices, but maddening when you can't figure out what's going on. The locking screw may even appear to be "tight", but not protrude far enough to lock the ring, resulting in just such a scenario. I find you really need to get to know your furler like a system, just like your auxiliary diesel - its just such an important part of the boat you need to know everything you can about it. If someone hasn't taken their main all the way off, serviced the furler like the Selden manual directs, then put it back on, figured out the optimal boom angle, halyard tension, etc. you'll have problems. It definitely pays to spend time with this system - then it seems to work incredibly well.

sail sfbay · Jun 17, 2020

tfox2069, I experienced a similar issue with my Furlex head sail furler after a set screw backed and prevented the head sail from furling out and in. Had to source the special screw from Selden and install it. Case solved. BUT as you pointed out, it is important to learn your furler system to be able to inspect BFORE and troubleshoot AFTER an issue arises.

tfox2069 · Jun 30, 2020

DRhoads said:
tfox2069.....thanks for the assist checked the manual you linked and different than the manual have.

I did resolve the issue. Main problem was the way the sail was originally put on. I confess I did have someone else help and didn't check his work, not good. took the sail down, checked the entire fuller where possible without removing the mast and found nothing that jumped out at me. Tension screw was good as best I could tell, lubed it all then reset the sail properly. I now have full deployment. The tack hook was originally 180* out but now corrected.

Glad you got it sorted out - and you know your furler better now as well. Go have fun!!

Selden furling mast issue

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