In-furling Main - Can anyone help?

[Havinago]

We have just had the yacht re-rigged and the mast off and serviced, however, now that it is all back together the furling system spins perfectly with no sail but when the sail is in the furler and we attempt to wind it in it jams and the sail is being torn on the luff edge at the head of the sail. Has anyone come across this problem before or got any ideas that may help.....

[dlymn]

Whoever serviced the mast might have some responsibility. Start by taking the sail right down and off. Check that all of the fittings are in good order. Bend on the sail again and make sure that the halyard is tightened firmly. Check that the sail is being wound on in the same rotation as it did before. Start winding in with some tension on the clew. but don't pull down hard on the vang or mainsheet.
Check for wrinkles and pull the sail out if there are any big ones.

Are you sure that the cavity that the sail furls into is clear? I once found a birds nest inside my mast.
If you have or can get a manual for the furling system check that you are following procedures correctly.

[Havinago]

Thanks for your thoughts. The sail came out when the mast was off and serviced with most fittings now being replaced. After ponding on our dilemma for a couple of days we have come to the conclusion that it looks like something has been done during the servicing. The sail has been in and out many times without problems so we now just have to find out what has been done and hopefully they (the riggers) can rectify the problem.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by Havinago

We have just had the yacht re-rigged and the mast off and serviced, however, now that it is all back together the furling system spins perfectly with no sail but when the sail is in the furler and we attempt to wind it in it jams and the sail is being torn on the luff edge at the head of the sail. Has anyone come across this problem before or got any ideas that may help.....

Im new to inmast furling. I've found halyard tension to be critical to non jamming, ive really crancked mine on and its working better. Tighten it until you have verticle creases then back off until they just disappear.

Sent from my vivo Y35 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[dlymn]

Originally Posted by Havinago

Thanks for your thoughts. The sail came out when the mast was off and serviced with most fittings now being replaced. After ponding on our dilemma for a couple of days we have come to the conclusion that it looks like something has been done during the servicing. The sail has been in and out many times without problems so we now just have to find out what has been done and hopefully they (the riggers) can rectify the problem.

Are you certain that the rigger didn't move or even changeover the mainsail halyard? Check that the haul-in is wound on correctly according to the spiral. Most boats wind the sail in on the starboard side. Check that the halyard will tighten the sail dead tight. Check that the Halyard has passed thought the slot in the topmast swivel. As you are hoisted up the mast, use a torch or piece of wire to check that the cavity is clear. You never know, there might be a cleaning rag in there. If the mast was off for some time, you might have got a wasp nest, bird nest, rat caught in there. As you suggest, it worked before and so you need to consider what might have changed

[Havinago]

Thanks for comments and suggestions. The mystery has been solved. The mainsail up-haul was put in upside down!!!