Winterizing an inmast mainsail

[Jack]

Hello,Trying to decide what to do for winterizing my inmast furling mainsail. Most folks at my marina just leave the mainsail furled in the mast. Some remove the mainsail from the mast.If I decide to remove the mainsail, I have no idea how to remove it, and then to re-install it in the spring. Can someone please explain the removal/re-install process for an inmast mainsail?Thanks,Jacks/v FriendshipC350, #80

 

[Tim]

Figure it out

Leaving a sail furled with salt and possibly moisture on it will dramically shorten the life of the sail. At the very least you will get mildew stains.Tim

 

[Pete Peterson]

Easy

Jack, definitely remove the sail. If you have a Charleston Spar furling system like my C320, its pretty easy. Unfurl the main and then loosen the halyard. Pull the strap on the bottom of the sail tack off the hook at the lower end of the foil. Then simply pull the main down and out of the slot on the foil. (Mark the slot so you know which one you used for next spring.) When the foil head piece appears, remove the sail head from the shackle. Then use electrical ties or line to secure the head piece shackle in the lowered position to the hook, and retighten the halyard. Installation is just the reverse.

 

[Bill lowe]

Not really hard.

Just pay attention, or better yet, take photos of how it all fits together so you can get it back together up in the spring.I have a system from Z-Spar and I removed the sails last weekend.Mine sounds pretty similar to the one Pete described except I only have one slot for the luff rope to slide in. Step 1--pick a calm dayStep 2-- unfurl the sailStep 3--disconnect the sail clew from the outhaulStep 4--Remove the shackle that holds the tack to the furling reelStep 5--loosen the halyard and pull the sail down and out of the foil track.Step 6-- disconnect the head Shackle from the head piece.Step 7-- use a bungee on the headpiece to make sure it doesn't mysteriously travel up the foil and out of reach over the winter.

 

[John Vasey]

Maintain halyard tension

Jack, another point to consider, maintain halyard tension until you have released the tack and begin to remove the sail from the track

 

[Jack]

Great info, thanks!

Thanks everyone for helping out. Going to the boat tomorrow, will look things over.Jacks/v FriendshipC350, #80