Roller Furling

[keaislandsailor]

Can you please tell me the emergency procedure for a stuck rolling furling main and mizzen?

[gonesail]

is it stuck furled in the mast (or boom) or is it stuck unfurled?

[Sailmonkey]

Are the furlers jammed or is the sail?

[Davidasailor]

Depends on how it's stuck. If it got stuck when trying to unfurl try rolling it back in then out again.

[DreadPirateRob]

Fire up the engine, put the bow straight into the wind, then figure out how to unstick them? Other than that... there's not much we can recommend without knowing the nature of the equipment failure.

Haul yourself to the masthead, stab your sword through the sail, and then swing down severing it like Zorro as you drop?

As a low-budget sailor, I'm terrified of these sorts of gadgets for the same reason that's brought you here with the question. I'm certain that bought recently and well maintained, they're practically magical... but bought second hand and fixed only when they're broken... I don't want to be in the position you're contemplating. Even if it's an excuse to do the zorro thing.

[keaislandsailor]

Hi, thanks for the responses, everyone. My lack of specificity reflects how unfamiliar I am with this equipment.

The boat is a 1977 52' Irwin, it has a main and mizzen in-mast roller furling system that was added in 90's, I believe. The sailmaker said this type of mast is a good one, probably costs 60K or so.

If you all know, what usually causes them to get stuck, what is the preventative maintenance that can be done to help prevent such mishaps?

The sailmaker said that the halyard stretching can be a cause, do you agree with that?

If it is stuck, do you just keep cranking on it back and forth?

Thanks again!

[El Pinguino]

There has been quite a discussion in recent days about in-mast here http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ng-219873.html

Amidst all the dross a few gems.... post #60 on this page is worth a look.... http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...-219873-4.html

If yours is Selden it would seem that putting the wind on the starboard bow 'unloads' things...

Hope this helps .

[keaislandsailor]

I did read the post, thank you. I will be mindful of mouse lines.

Has anyone had another type of jam and worked it out, how did you do it?

[barnakiel]

The crew closest to our primate ancestors is hoisted up the mast with two sharp knives while nobody is standing directly below.


Dire but might be your fate one day too.


In less dire cases: UNFURL, drop. (Or unfurl then furl, if viable.)


b.

[keaislandsailor]

Funny, but still looking for someone who did experience a jam.

[barnakiel]

This is where the knife advice came from.


Boat HR46, furling system Selden. Crossing from Antilles towards the Azores. Year 2009.


Not every jam is that radical, but well well, that one was.


It is less drama with fore sails as you can simply wrap the sail sailing circles.



Cheers,
barnakiel

[GordMay]

To prevent halyard wrap (a common problem /w furlers), the halyard should be at about a 7 to 10° angle to the headstay.
➥ https://theyachtrigger.com/halyard-w...ention-repair/
➥ https://www.harken.com/uploadedfiles...t/PDF/4410.pdf
➥ https://www.schaefermarine.com/our-p...d-restrainers/

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by GordMay

To prevent halyard wrap (a common problem /w furlers), the halyard should be at about a 7 to 10° angle to the headstay.
➥ https://theyachtrigger.com/halyard-w...ention-repair/
➥ https://www.harken.com/uploadedfiles...t/PDF/4410.pdf
➥ https://www.schaefermarine.com/our-p...d-restrainers/

That's a headsail furler... common issue there is wrapping a spin halyard into the headsail...

Q here is as I understand it is a main and mizzen 'in mast'..

A unique situation according to some...

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

That's a headsail furler... common issue there is wrapping a spin halyard into the headsail...
Q here is as I understand it is a main and mizzen 'in mast'...

Well, bless my heart.

[jibstay]

Our furling main jammed a bit when we first bought the boat. I learned the the halyard wasn’t tensioned enough.
It hasn’t jammed since.