Do you use Winch for Roller Furler?

[Cal31]

Thanks Tom. I still use my jib sheet winch to furl as it changes the pull angle into the cockpit where i get the best leverage.

Could pull furling line directly aft but it is awkward on my boat layout.

Am thinking of getting a small self-tailer to dedicate to the furler line.

[nicholson31]

Tom1340; Glad to see you resolved the issue and gave followup!!
One other thing that I found to greatly improve leverage when furling and you may like to try, is to feed the reef line through an oversized block attached back near the cockpit. Just that 90deg angle when hauling will pretty well gives you a two to one ratio. Before that there were occasions when I did use the winch, but haven't with the use of this block.
Funny, I also found dropping down a diameter size WRT the reefing line improved furling. The larger diameter was causing binding at times.

[a64pilot]

I'm going to have to try the block, I hadn't thought of that, to really get my back into it, I've been paying the line around my sheet winch, and there is friction of course, friction that the block won't have.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by nicholson31

Tom1340; Glad to see you resolved the issue and gave followup!!
One other thing that I found to greatly improve leverage when furling and you may like to try, is to feed the reef line through an oversized block attached back near the cockpit. Just that 90deg angle when hauling will pretty well gives you a two to one ratio. Before that there were occasions when I did use the winch, but haven't with the use of this block.
Funny, I also found dropping down a diameter size WRT the reefing line improved furling. The larger diameter was causing binding at times.

Could you explain how running the reefing line through a turning block gives you any mechanical advantage? I don't see how...

Jim

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by chouliha

We have a Profurl basic which we have a dedicated winch for reefing. We always use the winch but when under load (needing to reef) we always ease the sheet some before cranking in the reefing winch. Ease, then winch, ease, then winch until we have it reefed. So far it's been perfect and we have about 20K on the Profurl with zero problems.

Regards

Chuck


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Yep, that worked fine for us. A small furling winch is very handy. I don't want my sail flogging and I want it to wrap tight enough to not have folds. Having control , in or out, by having a wrap on the winch provides that well.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Could you explain how running the reefing line through a turning block gives you any mechanical advantage? I don't see how...

Jim

An illogical mind is a wonderful thing. If you think it gives you mechanical advantage, somehow you get more strength when hauling in.

[zeehag]

i have DREAMS about a dedicated winch, self tailing, for my furler line. i awaken with smile. almost as good as......

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by StuM

An illogical mind is a wonderful thing. If you think it gives you mechanical advantage, somehow you get more strength when hauling in.

It's the placebo effect! :>)

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by zeehag

i have DREAMS about a dedicated winch, self tailing, for my furler line. i awaken with smile. almost as good as......

I need a two speed for my main furling line, if I pop for that, then the little single speed that is there now, will become my Genoa furling winch.
What I do now is run the line around the Sheet winch to change direction 90 degrees so that I can place both my feet against the cockpit side and put my back into it, but dragging the line around the non turning sheet winch adds friction, I can see how a block would allow for that 90 degree direction change with very little friction.
I think if I place that block just right, it can also be used to run the line for the crane I use to hoist the outboard and let me use the sheet winch for that, giving me better control.

Sometimes it's the obvious things I don't see.

But, no, it's not as good as that, nothing is as good as that


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[model 10]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

It's the placebo effect! :>)

No, it's the radius of the turning block.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Guy

No, it's the radius of the turning block.

The "radius" without a block is infinite!

[Nicholson58]

We are 58 ft with 80 ft mast The 135 on a Pro Furl 52 needs both a winch and a powered winch driver. We keep an eye on the drum all of the way in. We must part furl to tack. We let off the sheet just short of luffing so the sail takes that S shape with soft luff.

[model 10]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

The "radius" without a block is infinite!

You are thinking beyond my grasp of what infinite is or might be but if you turn a line around a small block and then a large block, you will see what I am getting at.