Stuck Jib

[Just Looking]

When raising the jib on my Hunter 38, the jib is stuck in the roller furling track. The halyard is free and not jammed. It was tight going up and stuck about halfway tried to raise it using 3 raps on the winch with no luck. Two 200lb guys hung on the jib to try to pull it down and it is jammed. Any suggestions?

 

[RAD88]

Do a quick test first. Run the furler rotator up the foil with no sail attached. Pay close attention to where the rotator stops and using binoc's sight up the foil.


I had a similar problem and it turned out that a few of the furler connector screws have backed out making it impossible for the top furling rotator to pass them on the foil. Do not put excess force raising the furler rotator because you might damage the screws and the foil connections. I took my boat to a boat yard and the rigger reset the screws with loctite. If you sight up the foil you will probably see the screws that have backed out. They do not have to back out more than 1/16th of an inch to foul the system.
Hope this helps.

 

[Rick D]

Great Reply...

...helpful, simple and to the point.

 

[kloudie1]

Exactly .. My older Harken had a pin that backed out and jammed sliding bearing the same way.. sometimes caused by not enough tension in the forestay.. allows the foil to sag which backs the screws out slowly.

 

[Just Looking]

Thanks. Looks like a consensus. I pulled the boat during Irene. The screws may have loosened when it was out of the water. I will have the yard check.

 

[Benny17441]

Tell those 2 guys to keep pulling, it will eventually yield. If you can get someone with monkey abilities in a bosun's chair to apply some lubricant to the track and wiggle it back and forth it may let go easier. As a last resort have the guy or gal in the buson's attach a downhaul line. Attach a snap shackle at the base of the furler and thread the downhaul line through it so that you can exert a horizontal pull. Try it manually and if it still does not go put the winch to use again. Once it releases check the track for alingment and clean and lubricate it well. Also lubricate the sail. If you cannot raise the headsail manually then there is something wrong and the use of a winch as you have experienced will make it worse.