We just purchased a 2001 331 last week. During the survey, it was almost impossible to pull the main out from the mast. The broker worked on it for almost 2 hours. He ultimately decided that the bearings were very dirty and so he hosed it out and also sprayed lots of WD40 on the bearings. It is better now but still very stiff - I have to use the winch to unfurl (I am not that strong to begin with). Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to make this easier to unfurl and furl? Thanks for any help! Kathy
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Dave
Is outhaul line run right?
We have a furling main on our 36CC. When we bought the boat used, it was very difficult for my wife to pull out the main. She ended up using the winch alot. When I actually stopped and looked at things, it turned out the outhaul line and blocks were mis-aligned. Somehow when the boat was originally setup, the block at the base of the mast was put in the wrong spot. Thus, the outhaul line came out of the boom at a slight, but problematic, angle - rubbing against the forward portion of the boom and introducing enough friction to cause the issue. If it is not something like that, using some SailLube in the slots and the blocks and loosening the boomvang so there is no tension have also been helpful.
We have a furling main on our 36CC. When we bought the boat used, it was very difficult for my wife to pull out the main. She ended up using the winch alot. When I actually stopped and looked at things, it turned out the outhaul line and blocks were mis-aligned. Somehow when the boat was originally setup, the block at the base of the mast was put in the wrong spot. Thus, the outhaul line came out of the boom at a slight, but problematic, angle - rubbing against the forward portion of the boom and introducing enough friction to cause the issue. If it is not something like that, using some SailLube in the slots and the blocks and loosening the boomvang so there is no tension have also been helpful.
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larry w.
furling main woes
Kathy; Self-furling mains can be recalcitrant beasts. I have one on my Bene 40. Over six years of ownership, I've learned a few things about it. Lube the upper and lower bearings with liquid dishwashing detergent. The slot is offset, so when setting the sail, put the wind on the starboard side, at about a 45 degree angle to the boats centerline. Be sure the vang is loose and once you get the sail moving, don't stop. Rolling it up is just about the opposite: wind at 45 degrees, vang loose, and be sure to keep a little tension on the outhaul. I use a winch to wind it it. If the sail rolls up too loosely inside the mast, some of it will be pushed out the slot and jam the whole thing. Hope this works for you and good luck.
Kathy; Self-furling mains can be recalcitrant beasts. I have one on my Bene 40. Over six years of ownership, I've learned a few things about it. Lube the upper and lower bearings with liquid dishwashing detergent. The slot is offset, so when setting the sail, put the wind on the starboard side, at about a 45 degree angle to the boats centerline. Be sure the vang is loose and once you get the sail moving, don't stop. Rolling it up is just about the opposite: wind at 45 degrees, vang loose, and be sure to keep a little tension on the outhaul. I use a winch to wind it it. If the sail rolls up too loosely inside the mast, some of it will be pushed out the slot and jam the whole thing. Hope this works for you and good luck.
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HenryV
do check outhaul line
If the outhaul line is not run right you will have trouble. The line should run from the end of the boom to the car - then up and around the sheave on the sail - then back to the car. You should also lubricate the car. Also make sure the boom is free to find it's own level while furling and unfurling - make sure main sheet, vang, and topping lift are loose. It is normal to need the winch to unfurl but the effort should be modest.
If the outhaul line is not run right you will have trouble. The line should run from the end of the boom to the car - then up and around the sheave on the sail - then back to the car. You should also lubricate the car. Also make sure the boom is free to find it's own level while furling and unfurling - make sure main sheet, vang, and topping lift are loose. It is normal to need the winch to unfurl but the effort should be modest.
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Dave
One more comment
Something else to try to determine where the real problem is. Have someone grab the outhaul line just before it attaches to the sail and have them try to pull it out. If it comes pretty freely, it is not the bearings or anything in the mast and it has something to do with the car sliding on the boom, the running of the outhaul line, mis-aligned, blocks, etc. If it is hard to pull out, then it points to the furling bearings and something in the mast.
Something else to try to determine where the real problem is. Have someone grab the outhaul line just before it attaches to the sail and have them try to pull it out. If it comes pretty freely, it is not the bearings or anything in the mast and it has something to do with the car sliding on the boom, the running of the outhaul line, mis-aligned, blocks, etc. If it is hard to pull out, then it points to the furling bearings and something in the mast.
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Leon
Rake in mast
I have a 331, and also had to make some of the changes that were mentioned by others to align the outhaul better. From my experience, the most important thing to keep the main moving smoothly is to make sure that the mast is rigged absolutely straight; ie, that there is no rake in the mast.
I have a 331, and also had to make some of the changes that were mentioned by others to align the outhaul better. From my experience, the most important thing to keep the main moving smoothly is to make sure that the mast is rigged absolutely straight; ie, that there is no rake in the mast.
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Pat
Mast Rake
I have to disagree on having the mast completely straight. I have a 2001, 331 with the roller furling main, and my mast has a substantial amount of twist. I have never had furling problems. Depending on the wind conditions, I can easily pull the sail out or in without using a winch. I would check with US Spars to see what they think the problem could be. They built it.
I have to disagree on having the mast completely straight. I have a 2001, 331 with the roller furling main, and my mast has a substantial amount of twist. I have never had furling problems. Depending on the wind conditions, I can easily pull the sail out or in without using a winch. I would check with US Spars to see what they think the problem could be. They built it.
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Bill lowe
Different experiences
I am new to an in-mast furler but I bought a 281 with it this summer and am still on the learning curve with the furler. So far, I have had better luck getting a good alignment with the vang tight. I know this is contrary to all the other advice out there but this seems to keep the furling line from trying jumping the tracks on the reel. Being on a starboard tack also helps but I still have to use the winch when everything else seems to be working ok. Sometimes the sail sticks in the mast at various heights and it takes quite a bit of pull to get it out. It furls easier than it un-furls. All in all though I really like the system and expect to get more proficient with practice.
I am new to an in-mast furler but I bought a 281 with it this summer and am still on the learning curve with the furler. So far, I have had better luck getting a good alignment with the vang tight. I know this is contrary to all the other advice out there but this seems to keep the furling line from trying jumping the tracks on the reel. Being on a starboard tack also helps but I still have to use the winch when everything else seems to be working ok. Sometimes the sail sticks in the mast at various heights and it takes quite a bit of pull to get it out. It furls easier than it un-furls. All in all though I really like the system and expect to get more proficient with practice.
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