Hi All, I have a 1981 Hunter 33 with a rolling furler 150% genny. This past weekend we were 'praticing' reefing in the 15-20 knot winds we had. The main was no problem but while 'reefing' the roller furling spool seemed to be taking a lot of stress. During normal conditions the sheet that controls the furling is laxed as the genny is all the way out. But when we tried to short sail the genny there seemed to be a great deal of strain on every thing. We finally just rolled up the genny and used the main only. This would be ok but I was never able to really get the balance I like. Too much strain on pilot and auto pilot. My question is how good are the utility/storm jibs that hank on over the rolled up genny. Is chafe a problem on the solar cover? What are other issues that I might not have thought of yet? Can this sail be hanked over the boom of main sail to be used as a riding sail while anchored? Thanks in advance. clt
Utility/Storm Jib question
- Thread starter ChuckThomas
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storm jib
I once saw somebody trying to put one on at the dock and they were having difficulty with it. I asked him if he felt he could do it with the bow bouncing up and down in heavy seas. He said he didn't know and that is why he is practicing at the dock. From what I saw, I think if it's time for storm sails, then I'll go with a storm main. Good thing mine is a fractional rig. It doesn't kill the helm with weather helm with only the main up and putting up a storm main has to be easier then a storm jib, especially if you have a second track on the mast for it. I once was in 28 apparent winds and had a partial furled working jib and the auto-pilot couldn't handle the gusts. I was doing about 7 knots. I reduced the sail to less then half the jib and my weak auto pilot was able to handle that but the boat sure was rocky in the 8' chop while I was then doing a little under 5 knots. The furling system did have a strain on it but it handled it just fine (not the first time either). Later when I was feeling better, I rolled up the jib and unfurled some main and the rocking stopped. I do believe the line has a stronger breaking strength then you would think. The system should be built to handle a load because that's what it is for...reefing. I personally think that when the wind pipes up, the sail is more of a concern to rip then the furler to break, but I could be wrong there. Anybody have a furler break under heavy winds when reefed?
I once saw somebody trying to put one on at the dock and they were having difficulty with it. I asked him if he felt he could do it with the bow bouncing up and down in heavy seas. He said he didn't know and that is why he is practicing at the dock. From what I saw, I think if it's time for storm sails, then I'll go with a storm main. Good thing mine is a fractional rig. It doesn't kill the helm with weather helm with only the main up and putting up a storm main has to be easier then a storm jib, especially if you have a second track on the mast for it. I once was in 28 apparent winds and had a partial furled working jib and the auto-pilot couldn't handle the gusts. I was doing about 7 knots. I reduced the sail to less then half the jib and my weak auto pilot was able to handle that but the boat sure was rocky in the 8' chop while I was then doing a little under 5 knots. The furling system did have a strain on it but it handled it just fine (not the first time either). Later when I was feeling better, I rolled up the jib and unfurled some main and the rocking stopped. I do believe the line has a stronger breaking strength then you would think. The system should be built to handle a load because that's what it is for...reefing. I personally think that when the wind pipes up, the sail is more of a concern to rip then the furler to break, but I could be wrong there. Anybody have a furler break under heavy winds when reefed?
Maybe the furler isn't a reefing furler ...
I suppose that could make a difference. The manufacturers seem to make a distinction between a furler that can be used for reefing and furlers that cannot. If I had a furler that you can't use for reefing, I'd go back to hank-on sails - or spring for a new furler that works the way you want it to.
I suppose that could make a difference. The manufacturers seem to make a distinction between a furler that can be used for reefing and furlers that cannot. If I had a furler that you can't use for reefing, I'd go back to hank-on sails - or spring for a new furler that works the way you want it to.
Furling and Reefing
Most quality furling systems (Harken, Schaefer, Pro Furl, etc.) can also reef the jib, but the jib needs to be designed to reef. When you reef a furling jib it rolls up tighter at the top and bottom, and looser in the middle creating a baloon on one tack, and an ok, but not great set on the other tack (depends on which direction the sail rolls around the stay). This means that you will not be able to point well, but should work well enough on reaches, and runs. A jib (genoa) that is built to reef has a means of rolling more material in the mid section to match the ends so that the sail will still reasonably shape when sheeted in tight. If you want to blow out (stretch) your genny, then by all means reff her down in high winds.
Most quality furling systems (Harken, Schaefer, Pro Furl, etc.) can also reef the jib, but the jib needs to be designed to reef. When you reef a furling jib it rolls up tighter at the top and bottom, and looser in the middle creating a baloon on one tack, and an ok, but not great set on the other tack (depends on which direction the sail rolls around the stay). This means that you will not be able to point well, but should work well enough on reaches, and runs. A jib (genoa) that is built to reef has a means of rolling more material in the mid section to match the ends so that the sail will still reasonably shape when sheeted in tight. If you want to blow out (stretch) your genny, then by all means reff her down in high winds.
If you are like me....
...that is, a chronic late reefer, rolling up some headsail in a blow is always going to stress the system, both human and mechanical. Having said that, it does help to have a foam luff on your headsail if you plan to reef it. I've found that I can roll up my 150 to just about any size I want or need and still get decent performance out of it. Although my newish Furlex furler manual suggest rolling up the sail while on a reach, I've found it much easier (particularly when alone) to head up and luff the headsail while then quickly rolling it up to the size I need. I've found that the ability to roll up my headsail is inversely proportional to the amount of wind pressure on the sail. Also, it REALLY helps to grease/lube the tack swivel, and upper swivel, and the bearings at the bottom of your furling drum. Finally, I would think that any appropriately sized storm sail would still be way too big to be used as a riding sail while at anchor. A fun and useful project to do is make a small riding sail, that you would hank onto the backstay, not the mainsail track, out of an old sail you plan to discard. I did this by cutting a triangle out of the old sail, leaving 3 hanks in place and then sewing down the other two edges. I pressed in a cringle and bingo, it was done. If your boat tends to sail around its anchor, a small riding sail will really smooth things out.
...that is, a chronic late reefer, rolling up some headsail in a blow is always going to stress the system, both human and mechanical. Having said that, it does help to have a foam luff on your headsail if you plan to reef it. I've found that I can roll up my 150 to just about any size I want or need and still get decent performance out of it. Although my newish Furlex furler manual suggest rolling up the sail while on a reach, I've found it much easier (particularly when alone) to head up and luff the headsail while then quickly rolling it up to the size I need. I've found that the ability to roll up my headsail is inversely proportional to the amount of wind pressure on the sail. Also, it REALLY helps to grease/lube the tack swivel, and upper swivel, and the bearings at the bottom of your furling drum. Finally, I would think that any appropriately sized storm sail would still be way too big to be used as a riding sail while at anchor. A fun and useful project to do is make a small riding sail, that you would hank onto the backstay, not the mainsail track, out of an old sail you plan to discard. I did this by cutting a triangle out of the old sail, leaving 3 hanks in place and then sewing down the other two edges. I pressed in a cringle and bingo, it was done. If your boat tends to sail around its anchor, a small riding sail will really smooth things out.
As Warren said, BUT….
…..invest in a right and proper storm jib! Rolling up will do in a pinch, but if the water’s all lumpy and it’s blowing like stink, it’s better to change the sail if you can. On blustery days, if you’re going out anyway, it’s best to put in a reef (or 2) right at the dock and change the headsail. If you know conditions are only going to get so bad, you’ll be more controlled and comfy, with any luck your biggest concern after that will be strategically place cup holders. Ferg
…..invest in a right and proper storm jib! Rolling up will do in a pinch, but if the water’s all lumpy and it’s blowing like stink, it’s better to change the sail if you can. On blustery days, if you’re going out anyway, it’s best to put in a reef (or 2) right at the dock and change the headsail. If you know conditions are only going to get so bad, you’ll be more controlled and comfy, with any luck your biggest concern after that will be strategically place cup holders. Ferg
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