Furler Problem + Heavy Wind

[rtbates]

Glad that all ended well.

In-order to prevent this from ever happening again, when you are letting the sail out, ie, un rolling it, be sure to keep tension on the furling line as it goes out and wraps around the drum.

[speciald@ocens.]

Using a winch may void the warantee on your furler.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by speciald@ocens.

Always keep tension on the furling line as the line plays out and the sail unfurls. Two reasons: 1) Keeps the line from jumping the furler (fairleads are also a good idea), 2) The line may get caught under itself and jamb when tensioned when re-furling the sail. A furling headsail is a good addition to a boat frquently single handed.

Originally Posted by hpeer

<snip> I put a cleat in the cockpit where I can put a easy wrap on to help control the tension when it feeds out, especially if the wind catches the sail and she just spins out, that is not good if you have to rewind in any kind of wind.

Originally Posted by rtbates

Glad that all ended well.

In-order to prevent this from ever happening again, when you are letting the sail out, ie, un rolling it, be sure to keep tension on the furling line as it goes out and wraps around the drum.

In summary -
1 - Fairlead the furling line to the correct angles.
2 - Keep some tension on the furling line as the genny pays out
3 - Cleat off the furling line after setting the sail so excess line can't pay out and wraps can't happen.
4 - Shortly after setting the sail check the drum for wraps before you need it to work
5 - Don't use a winch on the furler - Or if you do make sure you know why.

We also have a pelican on the lower end of our genny. If the genny is completely furled out dropping the genny is a flip of the spinlock.

The issue is if the genny is partially furled. However we've been in 40 knots with the genny partially furled, the main reefed and the boat is not overpowered.

Ultimately, if safety dictates, you cut the genny sheets and let it flog. Genny's can be replaced, people can't.

[E.L.Green]

after i put the stainless steel ring to act as a "fairlead" and replaced the flattened padeye it is pretty smooth and so far problem free. but now that i said that ...

[Woodwind]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Ultimately, if safety dictates, you cut the genny sheets and let it flog. Genny's can be replaced, people can't.

Much better than letting if flog (and destroy itself in the process) is to sail circles with the sheets loose / cut. Takes a while, but you do get the sail furled!